BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) – Vermont Governor Phil Scott, often ranked as one of the most popular governors in the country, has won a fifth term.
With about seven percent of the votes counted, the Associated Press projected Scott as the winner over Democrat Esther Charlestin by over 75% to 20% margin.
Scott, a 66-year-old former legislator, business owner, and race car driver has made affordability a cornerstone of his campaigns. The moderate Republican put most of his effort this campaign into urging voters to pick state candidates who would work with him to hold the line on new taxes and fees from the Democratically controlled legislature.
Charlestin, 34, is an educator, a consultant and co-chair of the Vermont Commission on Women, and a former member of her town’s selectboard. She is a first-generation Haitian American.
Scott has been praised for his response to devastating flooding over the past two years. He has also said investing in housing, public safety, and addressing the state’s demographic challenges are top priorities.