The 2018 Vermont gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2018, to elect the governor of Vermont, concurrently with the election of Vermont's Class I U.S. Senate seat, as well as other elections to the United States Senate in other states and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Republican governor Phil Scott, who was first elected in 2016, was re-elected to a second term in office. Hallquist's 40.3% was also the worst performance for a Democratic Party candidate since 2008. This was one of eight Republican-held governorships up for election in a state that Hillary Clinton won in the 2016 presidential election.
Despite initial expectations of a potentially close race due to national blue wave, Scott easily won reelection in what became a difficult year for Republicans, winning by 15 percentage points. This election is to date the last time a Democratic candidate won a county in a gubernatorial election in Vermont.
Background Along with New Hampshire, Vermont is one of only two states where governors are elected to two-year terms. Republican Phil Scott was elected in the 2016 election.
Republican primary Candidates
Declared Phil Scott, incumbent governor
Eliminated in primary Keith Stern, businessman, Republican candidate for U.S. representative in 2010, independent candidate for U.S. representative in 2006, independent candidate for U.S. senator in 2004
Endorsements Debates and forums CCTV Channel 17 Republican Primary Forum for Governor 7/25/2018 WCAX Democratic+Republican forum 7/31/2018
Results
Democratic primary Candidates
Nominated Christine Hallquist, CEO of Vermont Electric Cooperative
Eliminated in primary James Ehlers, executive director of Lake Champlain International and environmentalist John S. Rodgers, current State Senator from Essex County, former State Representative, and construction business owner (write-in candidate) Brenda Siegel, opioid epidemic and Brattleboro hurricane relief activist and worker, former community organizer for Bernie Sanders, southern Vermont nonprofit executive and founding director (also ran in Progressive primary) Ethan Sonneborn, high school freshman
Endorsements
Debates and forums Brattleboro Community TV Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates Forum 6/6/2018 CCTV Channel 17 Democratic Primary Forum for Governor hosted by VTDigger 8/2/2018 WCAX Democratic+Republican forum 7/31/2018
Results
With this result, Christine Hallquist became the first openly transgender candidate for governor nominated by a major political party in the United States.
Progressive primary Candidates
Eliminated in primary Write-in Brenda Siegel (also ran in Democratic primary)
Endorsements
Debates and forums Brattleboro Community TV Meet the Candidates for VT Governor 7/18/2018
Results
Libertarian nomination Candidates
Withdrawn Seth Cournoyer (running for State Senate instead)
Liberty Union nomination Candidates
Declared Emily Peyton, candidate for governor in 2014
Independents Candidates
Declared Trevor Barlow, business and startup executive and founder, coach, as well as community and nonprofit board volunteer Cris Ericson, activist and perennial candidate also ran for congress. Charles Laramie, activist, roofing architect, school teacher, United States Navy veteran, and Vermont Air National Guard Stephen Marx, environmentalist
Write-in Tarl Warwick, far-right author, internet personality, and YouTuber
Withdrawn Joseph Barney, auto and agricultural mechanic, member of the Vermont Army National Guard, and school teacher
General election Debates Complete video of debate, October 17, 2018
Predictions SourceRankingAs ofThe Cook Political Report October 26, 2018The Washington Post November 5, 2018FiveThirtyEight November 5, 2018Rothenberg Political Report November 1, 2018Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2018RealClearPolitics November 4, 2018Daily Kos November 5, 2018Fox News November 5, 2018Politico November 5, 2018Governing November 5, 2018
Endorsements
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error PhilScott (R) ChristineHallquist (D) Other UndecidedGravis MarketingGravis Marketing October 30 – November 1, 2018 885 ± 3.3% 49% 39% – 12%Braun ResearchBraun Research October 5–14, 2018 495 ± 4.4% 42% 28% 7%Trevor Barlow (I), Cris Ericson (I), Charles Laramie (I), and Emily Peyton (LU) with 1%; none/write in/other with 3% 22%Tulchin Research (D-Vermont Democratic Party)Tulchin Research (D-Vermont Democratic Party) September 23–26, 2018 406 ± 4.9% 50% 42% – –
Results
By county
CountyPhil ScottRepublicanChristine HallquistDemocraticVarious candidatesOther parties#%#%#%Addison9,51454.87%7,20341.54%6223.59%Bennington7,35150.05%6,15241.89%1,1838.06%Caledonia7,42763.2%3,85032.76%4744.04%Chittenden38,44350.63%35,12146.25%2,3713.12%Essex1,57370.98%50622.83%1376.19%Franklin12,59268.8%4,99127.27%7193.93%Grand Isle2,42965.49%1,13830.68%1413.83%Lamoille6,57157.34%4,54839.69%3412.97%Orange7,49259.55%4,46935.52%6214.93%Orleans6,53865.71%3,01030.25%4024.04%Rutland15,63063.87%7,03828.76%1,8057.37%Washington15,18255.38%11,34041.37%8913.25%Windham7,19337.72%10,70856.16%1,1676.12%Windsor13,32652.87%10,26140.71%1,6176.42% Totals151,26155.19%110,33540.26%12,4914.55% Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican Chittenden (largest municipality: Burlington) Windsor (largest municipality: Hartford)
References
External links Candidates at Vote Smart Candidates at Ballotpedia
Official campaign websites Trevor Barlow (I) for Governor Joseph Barney (I) for Governor Christine Hallquist (D) for Governor Charles Laramie (I) for Governor Phil Scott (R) for Governor