The 2024 Vermont gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 2024, to elect the governor of Vermont, concurrently with the 2024 U.S. presidential election, as well as elections to the United States Senate and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Incumbent Republican governor Phil Scott won re-election to a fifth term, defeating the Democratic nominee, Vermont Commission on Women co-chair Esther Charlestin. Primary elections took place on August 13, 2024.
Being frequently ranked as the nation's most popular governor, Scott has won re-election by continually increasing margins since his first election in 2016. Despite Vermont's strong Democratic lean at the presidential level, Scott was expected to easily win again in 2024.
Along with New Hampshire, this race was one of two Republican-held governorships up for election in 2024 in a state carried by Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. This was the best Republican performance in a Vermont gubernatorial election since 1946, with Scott winning every municipality (as he did in 2022) and Scott's coattails allowed Republicans to break Democratic supermajorities in the state legislature. Scott also achieved over 60% of the vote in Windham County, a traditionally Democratic stronghold.
Republican primary Candidates Nominee Phil Scott, incumbent governor (2017–present)
Withdrawn Peter Duval, former Underhill selectman and independent candidate for governor in 2022 (ran as a Democrat)
Results
Democratic primary Candidates Nominee Esther Charlestin, co-chair of the Vermont Commission on Women and former Middlebury selectman
Eliminated in primary Peter Duval, former Underhill selectman and independent candidate for governor in 2022
Declined Howard Dean, former governor (1991–2003) and former chair of the Democratic National Committee (2005–2009) Caleb Elder, state representative (2018–2025) (running for state senate) Miro Weinberger, former mayor of Burlington (2012–2024) David Zuckerman, Lieutenant Governor of Vermont (2017–2021, 2023–2025) and nominee for governor in 2020 (running for re-election)
Endorsements
Results
Progressive primary Candidates Withdrew after nomination Marielle Blais, speech-language pathologist and nominee for state auditor in 2022
Results
Independent and third party candidates Declared June Goodband (Green Mountain Peace and Justice Party), counselor Kevin Hoyt (Independent), videographer and perennial candidate Poa Mutino (Independent), program manager
General election Predictions SourceRankingAs of The Cook Political ReportJune 13, 2024 Inside ElectionsJuly 14, 2023 Sabato's Crystal BallJune 4, 2024 RCPJuly 13, 2024 Elections DailyJuly 12, 2023 CNalysisAugust 17, 2024
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Marginof error PhilScott (R) EstherCharlestin (D) KevinHoyt (I) Other UndecidedUniversity of New HampshireUniversity of New HampshireOctober 29 – November 2, 20241,167 (LV)± 2.9%65%26%2%2%4%University of New HampshireUniversity of New HampshireAugust 15–19, 2024924 (LV)± 3.2%56%28%5%2%10%
Results
By county CountyPhil ScottRepublicanEsther CharlestinDemocraticVarious candidatesOther parties#%#%#%Addison16,17172.59%5,37524.13%7303.28%Bennington14,00769.26%4,29221.22%1,9249.52%Caledonia12,94778.94%2,64116.1%8144.96%Chittenden65,87369.18%26,23727.55%3,1143.27%Essex2,77382.33%37511.13%2206.54%Franklin21,96082.8%3,28012.37%1,2824.83%Grand Isle4,05081.75%74415.02%1603.23%Lamoille11,49178.42%2,56517.5%5974.08%Orange13,34876.34%3,31018.93%8284.73%Orleans11,96682.35%1,85212.75%7124.9%Rutland26,84979.84%4,99214.84%1,7875.32%Washington24,81771.4%8,37724.1%1,5634.2%Windham15,71562.51%7,73130.75%1,6936.74%Windsor24,47272.66%7,44622.11%1,7615.23% Totals266,43973.43%79,21721.83%17,1854.74%
Notes
References
External links Official campaign websites Esther Charlestin (D) for Governor Poa Mutino (I) for Governor Phil Scott (R) for Governor