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Did third party socialist candidate’s 13,655 votes ‘help’ Rodgers beat Progressive Dem incumbent?
By Guy Page
In an election that saw a socialist third-party candidate win 13,000 votes, Democrat-turned-Republican John Rodgers defeat Progressive/Democrat incumbent David Zuckerman to win the general election for lieutenant governor.
The lieutenant governor race featured two farmers – Rodgers, hemp and cannabis on his fifth generation farm in Glover, and also a contractor, and Zuckerman, on the fruit and vegetables farm he bought in Hinesburg – as the two frontrunners. Rodgers won 171,130 votes (46%) compared to Zuckerman’s 165,774 (45%).
Rodgers claimed the lead early and never lost it, although the gap narrowed to less than a percentage point by about 10 PM. Election Night observers watched as ‘blue’ town results such as Middlebury and most Chittenden County towns and cities showed up for Zuckerman, but never with enough of a margin to overcome Rodgers overwhelming support in most of the rest of the state. (See town by town graph).
With Gov. Phil Scott a known lock to beat Democrat Esther Charlestin, the LG race was the most closely scrutinized by Vermont’s political observers. Yet they (including VDC) completely missed the impact of a third-party candidate.
Little-known and less-discussed was Ian Diamondstone, the son of longtime Liberty Union candidate Peter Diamondstone, LG candidate for the Green Mountain Peace and Justice Party, whose motto is ‘Non-violent Revolutionary Socialism.” Yet he picked up 13,655 votes, good for 3.68% of the total in an election won by less than half that.
It’s impossible to know how many votes Zuckerman – who as a progressive might have been the default choice for the GMPJP faithful – to Diamondstone. If Vermont state elections worked under the ‘ranked choice voting’ system, a Zuckerman victory might have been more likely. It is also possible that the socialist turnout reflects a decades-long rift that goes back to Peter Diamondstone, who told this reporter in 1986 how he felt after hitting a car while driving late at night: “I saw it writhing on the road, and I felt awful, and I thought, that’s exactly how I feel when I think about Bernie Sanders.”
Diamondstone Sr. told me he perceived Bernie as a kind of socialist sellout who did whatever it took to get elected. Zuckerman, a protege of Sanders who was endorsed by him this year, may also be open to that charge for running as a candidate in the two-party system.
Whatever the reasons for or impact of the Diamondstone turnout, Rodgers’ victory was spurred mostly by widespread taxpayer discontent and the opinion that Chittenden County Democrats have been ignoring the housing, transportation, and energy needs of rural Vermonters.
The election of Rodgers will play a role in the makeup of the 2025-25 Senate. As a member of the Senate Committee on Committees, he will be one of three members choosing future committee chairs and membership. If the rejuvenated GOP caucus ends up supporting a more centrist candidate for Senate Pro Tem, that new leader and Rodgers will be two likely voices for a realignment of Senate leadership and priorities.
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Categories: Elections
None got over fifty percent. The other got my vote with a write in with the only name i trust.
Well, heck… maybe there is a Santa Claus.
Last I read earlier this morning was that Zuckerman had not conceded the election results and was “exploring his options.”
Even if those results were certified, the Vermont Legislature would still have to sign off on the outcome in January, since no candidate received more than 50% of the vote — a requirement in the Vermont Constitution.
I wonder if one of the options Zuckerman is exploring is trying to convince the Legislature to sign-off on it. I’m not positive, but I believe that would lead to a run-off between just Rodgers and Zuckerman which would be a challenge given that Diamondstone pulled in 13,000 votes . . . many which might lean towards Zuckerman in a H2H run-off with Rodgers.
Let’s hope the Legislature puts the party aside and goes with the people’s choice.
I meant to state, “I wonder if one of the options Zuckerman is exploring is trying to convince the Legislature to NOT sign-off on it.”
I would like to think that he is as unpopular among his legislative colleagues as he has become with the average Vermonter now…There are many there who will be happy to buy carrots a broccoli from him but that want him out of the state house…
The Vermont Legislature put the wishes of the people first?
It turns out that reading gay porn to children in the library and handing out tampons from your desk as if they were lollipops do NOT constitute edgy and clever politics…just creepy. Who would have thought.
How, in the course of legislative discussions by a Lt Guv with female legislators, does the topic of feminine hygiene ever come up once, let alone more than once? Creepy indeed – it speaks volumes for voting strictly party lines as to how he garnered the votes he did. Bottom line: The Minstrel of Menstruation is gone, and we have a new solid Lt Guv who will make a fine governor (should he be interested), when Scott decides to so something else.
The other part that I think is missed is the Thayer republican voters who wouldn’t accept Rogers even if it got Zuckerman elected. This is the kind of thinking that holds republicans back, especially the hardnosed conservatives.
Personally, I want conservatives to win also but, the writing was on the wall that a write in candidate would not beat Zuckerman. So, out of the woodwork comes a socialist to save the day for Rogers and I’m glad. The statement goes like this,
half of a republican is better than a full progressive. I hope some of my fellow conservatives will learn that cutting your nose off to save your face never works. Critical thinking is all that’s necessary! I think John Rogers will prove my point.
Congratulations to Lt. Gov. John Rodgers !
Happy day for John Rodgers and Vermont! Along with so many good results this was outstanding. Electing a Vermonter who will work for the people and knows how to work (no trust fund)–Wonderful. Eliminating David Zuckerman from becoming Lt Governor (or later, Governor)–Priceless!
That’s great news.
Congratulations Mr. Lieutenant Governor Elect John Rodgers. Tammy and I wish you the best.
Not sure whom or how people thought I was mounting a write-in campaign this year. I did not do it 2 years ago nor this year. I supported my Party ticket like I said in various writings, public speeches since the Primary in early August 2024, and with my flyer piece; “Now, Its Our Turn.” People, stop speculating.
@Lt. Governor Zuckerman, please concede now and let’s cure and move forward our great State of Vermont.
Thank you all, and God bless everyone.
Gregory M. Thayer, MBA
Rutland, Vermont
It’s time for Gregory Thayer to stop lying to the voting public.
Two years ago he asked us to form a group to organize a write in campaign for him.
Gregory made it clear he would dictate what would take place and what would be written about him..
He even designed the website and made sure it included a picture of him that was taken in the Rutland county Republican headquarters in Rutland, Vermont the same day he dictated what he wanted on his website after inviting us there to work with him.
He claimed Terry Burke would be out of town so it would be safe to go there after I showed my discontent with doing his business in the Rutland county office.
It’s actually embarrassing for me to have to get up here and defend my name because Gregory Thayer chooses to continue to lie about his write in
campaign.
Once again I will provide this website that clearly exposes his lies.
Gregorythayer.com
UNFORTUNATELY,
Section 47, Chapter II of the Vermont Constitution requires candidates for governor, lieutenant governor, and treasurer to receive a majority of the votes in order to be elected. In the event no candidate receives a majority, “…the Senate and House of Representatives shall by joint ballot, elect to fill the office, not filled by the voters as aforesaid, one of the three candidates for such office (if there be so many) for whom the greatest number of votes shall have been returned.”
ZUCKERMAN WILL NOT HONOR THE VOTE OF THE PEOPLE BUT INSTEAD DEMAND HIS RIGHTS AND SUBSEQUENTLY, THE SUPERMAJORITY’S FINAL VOTE WILL BE TO INSTALL ZUCKERMAN.
Hi Tom – it’s constitutionally possible but unlikely to the vanishing point. Truth is many in this Legislature are not overfond of Mr. Zuckerman. This has played out a few times before, and each time the Legislature dutifully accepts the majority will. This particular Legislature knows it’s stock has fallen pretty low, they’re not going to drive it into the ground when most of them like JR more than DZ anyway. IMHO
Re: “This particular Legislature knows it’s stock has fallen pretty low, they’re not going to drive it into the ground….”
Assuming, of course, that the current legislature is, or ever has been, reasonable.
This period between the election and the actual transfer of power will be a harbinger for the upcoming political session in Vermont and in D.C..
OTOH, I agree in this regard. I voted for Scott and Rodgers reluctantly. I’m still not sure I did the right thing. The fact that they publicly announced that they voted for Harris was, IMHO, an exercise in poor judgment for at least two reasons. First, that they would vote for someone so demonstrably incompetent. And second, that they may have thought it would be better to publicly sacrifice their alternative principles, if they even have them, in the name of unifying us.
I, for one at least, am not inclined to follow any Lemming over the cliff for the false promise of unity. And that Scott and Rodgers did so gives me pause. Sometimes we have to accept responsibility for our actions… even when others, even when a majority, disagree.
“THE SUPERMAJORITY’S FINAL VOTE WILL BE TO INSTALL ZUCKERMAN.”
Wouldn’t that be a nice nail in their coffin. It would be seen as blatantly unfair, arrogant, petty and corrupt.
Tampon Tim and Tampon Dave – they should hook up and start a new business venture “White Dudes for Kamala” feminine hygiene products and tranny couture.
Good! Hope Zero Zuckie fades off into permanent oblivion.