Primary Focus
August 15, 2024
Esther Charlestin won the Democratic primary for Governor and will face Phil Scott in November. In the race for Lieutenant Governor, the incumbent David Zuckerman fended off a challenge in the Democratic Primary from Thomas Renner. Zuckerman will face John Rodgers in the general election. Rodgers defeated Greg Thayer to become the Republican nominee for LG.
Other notable down ticket results:
In Brattleboro, Emilie Kornheiser, the powerful chair of the Ways and Means Committee, fended off a challenge from Amanda Ellis-Thurber.
In Waterbury, Elizabeth Brown narrowly lost in the Democratic primary to Rep. Tom Stevens, the longtime chair of the Housing Committee.
In Shelburne, home builder Shawn Sweeney defeated Select Board Chair Michael Ashooh in the Democratic primary for an open House seat.
In Addison County, Senator Chris Bray beat back a challenge from Caleb Elder in the Democratic primary.
In Chittenden County, former journalist Stewart Ledbetter lost his bid to defeat three incumbent state Senators in a Democratic primary in Chittenden Central District.
All three Democratic incumbents in Chittenden Southeast easily secured a position on the November ballot. Senator Ginny Lyons was the top vote-getter, followed by Senator Thomas Chittenden and Senator Kesha Ram Hinsdale.
In Orleans County, Sam Douglas defeated Conrad Bellavance for the Republican nomination. Douglas will run against Katherine Sims in the general election for a seat in the state Senate.
Analysis: On the Democratic ballot, several candidates who were running as moderates against more progressive incumbents came up short. However, it is difficult to determine how this pro-incumbent sentiment will translate in the November election since very few Vermonters voted in the primary election. Only 15% of those registered to vote cast a ballot on Tuesday. In the general election in November, the number will likely be closer to 70%.