By Guy Page
A look at November 8 election returns shows that of the 291,955 total ballots cast, about 95,000 were cast by Republican voters.
The Vermont Secretary of State vote totals show that 291,955 ballots were cast. Four races for statewide office – attorney general, auditor, treasurer, and secretary of state – involved relatively unknown candidates. Only one incumbent, auditor Doug Hoffer, sought re-election. In ‘down-ballot’ races involving relative unknowns, the outcome is usually determined by party affiliation, especially if the returns are almost identical.
In fact, in three of the four races the GOP returns were just 221 votes apart. (Both winner and loser in the auditor’s race received fewer votes than their counterparts in the other three, reflecting perhaps less voter interest in or knowledge of the office.)
Attorney General:
Charity Clark (D), 179,098
Michael Tagliavia (R), 95,661
Auditor of Accounts:
Doug Hoffer (D/P), 178,714
Richard Morton (R) 94,613
Secretary of State:
Sarah Copeland Hanzas (D) 179,087
H. Brooke Paige (R) 95,662
Treasurer:
Mike Pieciak (D) 182,568
H. Brooke Paige (R) 95,440
In statewide office races with more name recognition, political volatility, and perceived office significance, voters colored outside the party line. D/P David Zuckermen defeated Republican Joe Benning 150,101 – 118,724. Most notably, Republican Phil Scott more than flipped the 2-1 GOP deficit with a 202,147 – 68,248 victory over Democrat Brenda Siegel.
Vermont Republican Party leaders will no doubt be strategizing soon about how to get more Vermonters to vote “R” in 2024.