Vermont's incumbent Republican Gov. Phil Scott has won reelection to the office he has held since first being elected in 2016.
In Tuesday's balloting, Scott defeated Democratic challenger Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman.
While Scott is a Republican in a heavily Democratic state, he is seen as popular with the public and he has been given high marks for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic.
Zuckerman is a 48-year-old farmer from Hinesburg who has campaigned on promises to do more to advance progressive causes like having wealthy people pay more in taxes and doing more to combat climate change.
US House
Democrat Peter Welsh, who was reelected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006, defeated Republican Miriam Berry, a registered nurse from Essex.
During his years in the House, Welch, 73, has consistently been one of Vermont’s top statewide vote-getters. Welch says he feels his popularity has been due to his continued focus on the state’s needs. He says the country is facing the “extraordinary challenges” of the coronavirus pandemic and what Welch has described as Trump’s threat to democracy.
Berry, who made her first run for elected office, described herself as a conservative who opposes current proposals for universal health care and is for civil rights and cutting waste from the budget. She said it was time for a change.
President
Democrat Joe Biden will win the presidential race in Vermont, NBC News projects.
Earlier Tuesday, Gov. Scott said he voted for Biden. Speaking after he cast his vote in his hometown of Berlin, Scott said it was the first time in his life he voted for a Democrat for president.
"As many of you knew, I didn't support President Trump. I wasn't going to vote for him. But then I came to the conclusion it wasn't enough for me to just not vote. I had to vote against. So again, I had to put country over party," Scott said.
Vermonters also cast ballots for the U.S. House of Representatives and other statewide and local offices.
The race between Trump and Biden helped drive what is expected to be high voter turnout this year.
The top of the electoral ticket in Vermont pits Democratic Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman who is challenging Scott.
Voters also cast ballots Tuesday for the state’s other statewide elected offices, including lieutenant governor, attorney general, state treasurer, secretary of state and auditor of accounts.
In local and regional races being decided Tuesday, Vermonters will elect all 150 members of the state House of Representatives and 30 members of the state Senate.
