Phil Scott

Republican Party

Candidate, Governor of Vermont

Governor of Vermont

Tenure

2017 - Present

Term ends

2027

Years in position

9

Predecessor:Peter Shumlin (D)

Prior offices:

Lieutenant Governor of Vermont

Years in office: 2011 - 2017

---

Vermont State Senate

Years in office: 2001 - 2010

Compensation

Base salary

$201,136

Elections and appointments

Last election

November 5, 2024

Next election

August 11, 2026

Education

High school

Spaulding High School

Bachelor's

University of Vermont, 1980

Personal

Profession

Business owner

Contact

Official website

Official Facebook

Official X

Official YouTube

Campaign website

Campaign Facebook

Campaign X

Campaign Instagram

Campaign YouTube

Personal Facebook

Personal LinkedIn

Phil Scott (Republican Party) is theGovernor of Vermont. He assumed office on January 5, 2017. His current term ends on January 14, 2027.

Scott was born inBarre, Vermont, in 1958. He attended the University of Vermont, where he studied technical education. Before entering politics, Scott co-owned his family's construction business, Dubois Construction.^[1]

He was a member of theVermont State Senate from 2001 until 2010, representingWashington County.^[1] During his time in the state Senate, Scott served as vice chair of theTransportation Committee and chair of theInstitutions Committee. Scott served three terms aslieutenant governor of Vermont from 2011 to 2017 alongside Gov.Peter Shumlin (D).^[2]

In Vermont's2016 gubernatorial election, Scott defeatedSue Minter (D) 53-44.2%. Vermont holds gubernatorial elections every two years, and Scott won the next four gubernatorial elections by double digits, increasing hismargin of victory each time from 8.8 percentage points in 2016 to 49.4 points in2024.

In 2024, Scott said he ran for governor "because I believe too many families and employers are on the economic edge. For them to thrive and our state to prosper we must revitalize the fundamentals of a strong, healthy economy that expands the middle class, lifts wages, and attracts working families, entrepreneurs and new jobs."^[1] TheAssociated Press described Scott as "[a] Republican who combines fiscal conservatism with social liberalism."^[3] As governor, Scott signed legislation requiring Vermont residents to have health insurance, guaranteeing access to abortion services, and limiting state police involvement with federal immigration enforcement.^[4][5][6] Scott said he voted forJoe Biden (D) in 2020 andKamala Harris (D) in 2024.^[7]

Democrats held asupermajority in both chambers of theVermont State Legislature during Scott's first four terms as governor until Republicans broke the Democratic supermajority in the 2024 election. According to theAssociated Press, since taking office in 2017, "Scott and the legislature have clashed over spending and taxes and he’s vetoed a number of its bills in recent years and is expected to veto more. The Legislature has pushed back and overturned some of the vetoes."^[3] In June 2024, the Legislature overrode six of Scott's vetoes in one day, including legislation to increase property taxes, amend the state's land use law, and revise renewable energy standards for the state's public utilities. Scott said, "Many will frame this as a loss for me and a win for the Legislature. The reality is, it’s a major loss for Vermont taxpayers, workers and families."^[8]

Biography

Scott was born in Barre, Vermont. He graduated from Spaulding High School and the University of Vermont. Scott was co-owner of DuBois Construction before selling his stake in the company after being elected governor. In 2005, Scott founded a program calledWheels for Warmth, in which Vermont residents donate tires for either recycling or resale, with proceeds going to heating fuel assistance programs. Scott also races stock cars.^[9][10]

Political career

Below is a list of offices withinBallotpedia’s scope. Offices outside of that scope will not be listed. If an update is needed and the office is within our scope, pleasecontact us.

Scott's political career includes the following offices:

• 2017-present:Governor of Vermont
• 2011-2017:Lieutenant Governor of Vermont
• 2001-2010:Vermont State Senate

Elections

2026

See also: Vermont gubernatorial election, 2026

General election

The primary will occur on August 11, 2026. The general election will occur on November 3, 2026. General election candidates will be added here following the primary.

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Vermont

Esther Charlestin is running in the Democratic primary for Governor of Vermont on August 11, 2026.

		Candidate
		Esther Charlestin

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	There are noincumbents in this race.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Vermont

IncumbentPhil Scott is running in the Republican primary for Governor of Vermont on August 11, 2026.

		Candidate
		Phil Scott

---

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined.
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Endorsements

2024

See also: Vermont gubernatorial election, 2024

General election

General election for Governor of Vermont

IncumbentPhil Scott defeatedEsther Charlestin,Kevin Hoyt,June Goodband, andPoa Mutino in the general election for Governor of Vermont on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Phil Scott (R)	73.4	266,439
		Esther Charlestin (D / Vermont Progressive Party)	21.8	79,217
		Kevin Hoyt (Independent)	2.6	9,368
		June Goodband (Green Mountain Peace and Justice Party)	1.2	4,512
		Poa Mutino (Independent)	0.7	2,414
		Other/Write-in votes	0.2	891

---

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 362,841
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Marielle Blais (Vermont Progressive Party)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Vermont

Esther Charlestin defeatedPeter Duval in the Democratic primary for Governor of Vermont on August 13, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Esther Charlestin	62.3	24,007
		Peter Duval	24.3	9,377
		Other/Write-in votes	13.4	5,159

---

	There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 38,543
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Vermont

IncumbentPhil Scott advanced from the Republican primary for Governor of Vermont on August 13, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Phil Scott	98.1	23,173
		Other/Write-in votes	1.9	448

---

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 23,621
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Vermont Progressive Party primary election

Vermont Progressive Party primary for Governor of Vermont

Marielle Blais advanced from the Vermont Progressive Party primary for Governor of Vermont on August 13, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔	Submit photo	Marielle Blais	78.1	268
		Other/Write-in votes	21.9	75

---

	There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 343
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Endorsements

2022

See also: Vermont gubernatorial election, 2022

General election

General election for Governor of Vermont

IncumbentPhil Scott defeatedBrenda Siegel,Kevin Hoyt,Peter Duval, andBernard Peters in the general election for Governor of Vermont on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Phil Scott (R)	71.0	202,147
		Brenda Siegel (D / Vermont Progressive Party)	24.0	68,248
		Kevin Hoyt (Independent)	2.1	6,022
		Peter Duval (Independent)	1.7	4,723
		Bernard Peters (Independent)	0.8	2,315
		Other/Write-in votes	0.5	1,346

---

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 284,801
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Susan Hatch Davis (Vermont Progressive Party)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Vermont

Brenda Siegel advanced from the Democratic primary for Governor of Vermont on August 9, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Brenda Siegel	85.9	56,288
		Other/Write-in votes	14.1	9,235

---

	There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 65,523
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Vermont

IncumbentPhil Scott defeatedStephen Bellows andPeter Duval in the Republican primary for Governor of Vermont on August 9, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Phil Scott	68.6	20,319
		Stephen Bellows	18.2	5,402
		Peter Duval	12.2	3,627
		Other/Write-in votes	1.0	290

---

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 29,638
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Vermont Progressive Party primary election

Vermont Progressive Party primary for Governor of Vermont

Susan Hatch Davis advanced from the Vermont Progressive Party primary for Governor of Vermont on August 9, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Susan Hatch Davis	87.4	470
		Other/Write-in votes	12.6	68

---

	There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 538
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2020

See also: Vermont gubernatorial election, 2020

Vermont gubernatorial election, 2020 (August 11 Democratic primary)

Vermont gubernatorial election, 2020 (August 11 Republican primary)

General election

General election for Governor of Vermont

The following candidates ran in the general election for Governor of Vermont on November 3, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Phil Scott (R)	68.5	248,412
		David Zuckerman (Vermont Progressive Party / D)	27.4	99,214
		Kevin Hoyt (Independent)	1.3	4,576
		Emily Peyton (Truth Matters Party)	1.0	3,505
		Erynn Whitney (Independent)	0.5	1,777
		Wayne Billado III (Independent)	0.4	1,431
		Michael Devost (Independent)	0.3	1,160
	Submit photo	Charly Dickerson (Independent)	0.3	1,037
		Other/Write-in votes	0.4	1,599

---

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 362,711
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Watch theCandidate Conversation for this race!

Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• John Klar (Independent)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Vermont

David Zuckerman defeatedRebecca Holcombe,Patrick Winburn, andRalph Corbo in the Democratic primary for Governor of Vermont on August 11, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		David Zuckerman	47.6	48,150
		Rebecca Holcombe	37.1	37,599
		Patrick Winburn	7.6	7,662
	Submit photo	Ralph Corbo	1.3	1,288
		Other/Write-in votes	6.5	6,533

---

	There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 101,232
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Vermont

IncumbentPhil Scott defeatedJohn Klar,Emily Peyton,Douglas Cavett, andBernard Peters in the Republican primary for Governor of Vermont on August 11, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Phil Scott	72.7	42,275
		John Klar	21.9	12,762
		Emily Peyton	1.7	970
		Douglas Cavett	1.7	966
		Bernard Peters	1.3	772
		Other/Write-in votes	0.7	426

---

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 58,171
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Vermont Progressive Party primary election

Vermont Progressive Party primary for Governor of Vermont

David Zuckerman defeatedCris Ericson andBoots Wardinski in the Vermont Progressive Party primary for Governor of Vermont on August 11, 2020.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		David Zuckerman (Write-in)	32.6	273
		Cris Ericson	30.3	254
		Boots Wardinski	28.5	239
		Other/Write-in votes	8.6	72

---

	There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 838
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2018

See also:Vermont gubernatorial election, 2018

General election

General election for Governor of Vermont

The following candidates ran in the general election for Governor of Vermont on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Phil Scott (R)	55.2	151,261
		Christine Hallquist (D)	40.3	110,335
		Trevor Barlow (Independent)	1.2	3,266
	Submit photo	Charles Laramie (Independent)	0.8	2,287
		Cris Ericson (Independent)	0.8	2,129
	Submit photo	Stephen Marx (Earth Rights Party)	0.7	1,855
		Emily Peyton (Liberty Union Party)	0.7	1,839
		Other/Write-in votes	0.4	1,115

---

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 274,087
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates

• Joseph Barney (Independent)

Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Governor of Vermont

Christine Hallquist defeatedJames Ehlers,Brenda Siegel, andEthan Sonneborn in the Democratic primary for Governor of Vermont on August 14, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Christine Hallquist	48.2	27,622
		James Ehlers	22.1	12,668
		Brenda Siegel	21.4	12,262
		Ethan Sonneborn	8.2	4,696

---

	There were noincumbents in this race. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 57,248
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Governor of Vermont

IncumbentPhil Scott defeatedKeith Stern in the Republican primary for Governor of Vermont on August 14, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Phil Scott	67.4	24,142
		Keith Stern	32.6	11,669

---

	Incumbents arebolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 35,811
= candidate completed theBallotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2016

See also:Vermont gubernatorial election, 2016

Phil Scott defeatedSue Minter andBill Lee in the Vermont governor election.

Vermont Governor, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Phil Scott	52.96%	166,817
	Democratic	Sue Minter	44.21%	139,253
	Liberty Union Party	Bill Lee	2.83%	8,912
Total Votes				314,982
Source:Vermont Secretary of State

Phil Scott defeatedBruce Lisman in the Republican primary for governor.

Republican primary for governor, 2016
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Phil Scott	59.77%	27,728
Bruce Lisman	39.04%	18,113
Write-in votes	1.19%	553
Total Votes (275 of 275 Precincts Reporting)		46,394
Source: Vermont Secretary of State

This candidate ran in one of Ballotpedia's races to watch in 2016. Read more »

2014

See also:Vermont lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2014

Lieutenant Governor of Vermont, 2014
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Phil ScottIncumbent	62.1%	118,949
	Progressive	Dean Corren	36%	69,005
	Liberty Union	Marina Brown	1.7%	3,347
	Nonpartisan	Write-in votes	0.1%	115
Total Votes				191,416
Election results viaVermont Secretary of State

2012

See also:Vermont lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2012

Endorsements

Scott's 2012 re-election campaign was endorsed by the Vermont National Education Association, the state's largest union.^[11]

2010

See also:Vermont lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2010 andLieutenant Governor elections, 2010

Lieutenant Governor of Vermont, 2010
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Phil Scott	49.4%	116,198
	Democratic	Steve Howard	42.4%	99,843
	Independent	Peter Garritano	3.7%	8,627
	Progressive	Marjorie Power	3.5%	8,287
	Liberty Union	Boots Wardinski	0.9%	2,228
	Write-In	Various	0.1%	147
Total Votes				235,330
Election results viaVermont Secretary of State

2008

Vermont State Senate, Washington District
Candidates		Votes
Phil Scott (R)		15,763
Ann Cummings (D)		15,291
William Doyle (R)		15,089
Kimberley Cheney (D)		11,637
Laura Moore (D)		10,847
John Gilligan (R)		5,660
John Bloch (P)		3,489
Dwight Duke (L)		1,126
Write-ins		53

Campaign themes

2026

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also:Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Phil Scott has not yet completedBallotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.Send a message to Phil Scott asking him to fill out the survey. If you are Phil Scott,click here to fill out Ballotpedia's 2026 Candidate Connection survey.

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You can ask Phil Scott to fill out this survey by using the buttons below or emailing phil@philscott.org.

2024

Phil Scott did not completeBallotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2022

Phil Scott did not completeBallotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Phil Scott did not completeBallotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

Campaign website

Scott’s campaign website stated the following:

2016

Scott's campaign website stated the following:^[14]

Notable endorsements

See also:Ballotpedia: Our approach to covering endorsements

This section displays endorsements this individual made in elections within Ballotpedia'scoverage scope.

Campaign finance summary

Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf.Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at theFEC website. Clickhere for more on federal campaign finance law andhere for more on state campaign finance law.

Noteworthy events

Stance on single-payer healthcare (2014)

In January 2014, Scott expressed skepticism aboutVermont’s single-payer healthcare law. The law, called Green Mountain Care, passed in 2011 and aimed to provide health insurance to the state’s 626,000 residents through a state-run system and to reduce premiums and costs. Scott was concerned about whether the model would work. “I’m a skeptic when it comes to the single-payer model,” Scott said in an interview. “But at the same time I try to be objective because I’ve argued that I don’t have enough information to know whether it works here in Vermont. So it’s difficult for me to oppose something when I don’t know what it is,” he said.^[15]

Ballot measure activity

The following table details Scott's ballot measure stances available on Ballotpedia:

Ballot measure support and opposition for NAME
Ballot measure	Year	Position	Status
Vermont Proposal 2, Prohibit Slavery and Indentured Servitude Amendment (2022)	2022	Supported[16]	a Approved
Vermont Proposal 5, Right to Personal Reproductive Autonomy Amendment (2022)	2022	Supported[17]	a Approved

Personal

Note: Pleasecontact us if the personal information below requires an update.

Scott and his wife, Diana, live in Berlin. He has two daughters.^[9]

See also

2026 Elections

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External links

Footnotes

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