The 2012 Vermont gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 2012, to elect the Governor of Vermont. Incumbent Democratic Governor Peter Shumlin won re-election to a second term, making this the only one of his gubernatorial elections in which he won a majority of the vote. In his 2010 and 2014 races, the Vermont General Assembly was required to choose a winner in accordance with the state constitution, because no candidate won a majority. This is the last time that Democrats carried Grand Isle, Lamoille, and Rutland counties in a gubernatorial election.
Democratic nomination
Candidates Peter Shumlin, incumbent
Republican nomination
Candidates Randy Brock, state senator and former state auditor
Declined Brian Dubie, former lieutenant governor and 2010 gubernatorial nominee Thom Lauzon, mayor of Barre Patricia McDonald, Vermont Republican Party Chairwoman and former state representative Roy Newton, newspaper publisher (did not file) Tom Salmon, state auditor Phil Scott, lieutenant governor Mark Snelling, 2010 candidate for lieutenant governor and son of former governor Richard Snelling
Progressive nomination
Candidates Martha Abbott, chairwoman of the Vermont Progressive Party (resigned nomination in order to aid Shumlin by avoiding split in progressive/liberal votes)
General election
Candidates Randy Brock (R), state senator and former state auditor Dave Eagle (Liberty Union) Cris Ericson (U.S. Marijuana), perennial candidate who also ran for the U.S. Senate Emily Peyton (Independent) Peter Shumlin (D), incumbent
Debates Complete video of debate, October 13, 2012 - C-SPAN
Predictions Source Ranking As of The Cook Political Report November 1, 2012 Sabato's Crystal Ball November 5, 2012 Rothenberg Political Report November 2, 2012 Real Clear Politics November 5, 2012
Polling Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror PeterShumlin (D) RandyBrock (R) UndecidedCastleton PollingCastleton Polling August 11–21, 2012 477 ± 4.5% 60% 26% 13%Vermont Business MagazineVermont Business Magazine May 7–16, 2012 607 ± 4.0% 60% 27% 11%Public Policy PollingPublic Policy Polling July 28–31, 2011 1,233 ± 2.8% 51% 29% 20%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror PeterShumlin (D) BrianDubie (R) UndecidedPublic Policy Polling July 28–31, 2011 1,233 ± 2.8% 48% 40% 12%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror PeterShumlin (D) ThomLauzon (R) UndecidedPublic Policy Polling July 28–31, 2011 1,233 ± 2.8% 52% 25% 23%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror PeterShumlin (D) TomSalmon (R) UndecidedPublic Policy Polling July 28–31, 2011 1,233 ± 2.8% 50% 31% 18%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror PeterShumlin (D) PhilScott (R) UndecidedPublic Policy Polling July 28–31, 2011 1,233 ± 2.8% 50% 33% 17%
Poll source Date(s)administered Samplesize Margin oferror PeterShumlin (D) MarkSnelling (R) UndecidedPublic Policy Polling July 28–31, 2011 1,233 ± 2.8% 50% 29% 21%
Results
By county CountyPeter ShumlinDemocraticRandy BrockRepublicanVarious candidatesOther parties#%#%#%Addison10,44258.9%6,66437.6%6243.5%Bennington10,85563.1%5,10929.7%1,2287.1%Caledonia6,37347.1%6,47947.9%6795.1%Chittenden47,11562.2%25,60933.8%3,0284.0%Essex1,20743.8%1,37750.0%1716.3%Franklin8,93745.1%10,26551.8%6063.1%Grand Isle2,08951.7%1,81144.8%1433.5%Lamoille6,53955.3%4,68639.6%6105.1%Orange7,91857.0%5,38738.8%5764.2%Orleans5,18644.8%5,73749.5%6605.7%Rutland13,95449.3%13,00545.9%1,3554.8%Washington17,21659.4%10,54036.3%1,2404.3%Windham14,74768.4%5,36424.9%1,4566.7%Windsor18,02063.7%8,90731.5%1,3474.8% Totals170,59857.8%110,94037.6%13,7234.6% Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic Grand Isle (largest municipality: Alburgh) Lamoille (largest municipality: Morristown) Rutland (largest municipality: Rutland)
See also 2012 United States presidential election in Vermont
References
External links Elections and Campaign Finance Division at the Vermont Secretary of State Campaign sites (Archived) Randy Brock (R) for Governor Peter Shumlin (D) for Governor