Summary of the 2018 Vermont Gubernatorial Election
The 2018 Vermont gubernatorial general election was held on November 6, 2018, with incumbent Republican Governor Phil Scott seeking reelection. This overview provides verified, evergreen profiles of the major candidates on the ballot and the outcome. Vermont elections for governor feature a two-year term for the officeholder, and the 2018 race emphasized fiscal management, healthcare access, and infrastructure. The general election results are conclusive, with Phil Scott winning reelection. The following sections detail each major candidate’s ballot line, prior government roles, and verified outcomes.
Major Candidates and Their Ballot Lines
On the November 6, 2018 general election ballot, Vermont voters saw several candidates for governor. The following table lists each candidate’s name, party or ballot line, prior notable government roles, and the general election result as certified by the Vermont State Archives. This reference is intended as an evergreen status overview.
| Candidate | Ballot Line / Party | Prior Notable Roles | General Election Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Scott | Republican | Lieutenant Governor (2011–2017), Vermont Senate (2001–2011) | Elected (62.4%) |
| Christine Hallquist | Democratic | Former CEO, Vermont Electric Cooperative; Vermont House (2009–2017) | Defeated (37.6%) |
| Matt Dunne | Democratic | Vermont House (2001–2007), Director of Agency of Commerce and Community Development | Defeated |
| Emma Mulvaney-Stanak | Progressive | Burlington City Council (2008–2015) | Defeated |
| Bernie Sanders (write-in) | N/A | U.S. Representative (1991–2007), Mayor of Burlington (1981–1989) | Defeated (write-in) |
| Other minor-party and independent candidates | Various | Varies | Not elected |
Ballot Access and Verification Notes
Candidate ballot lines in Vermont are determined by primary outcomes and party designation. Minor parties such as the Progressive Party often nominate candidates who may also seek Democratic or Republican nominations. Only candidates meeting filing deadlines and signature requirements appear on the general ballot. For authoritative confirmation, the Vermont Secretary of State’s archives and the Vermont State Archives serve as primary sources for candidate lists and results.
General Election Results and Certification
State-certified final tallies confirm that Phil Scott won a second term as governor with 62.4% of the vote; Christine Hallquist received 37.6%. These margins reflect the choices expressed on ballots and provisional envelopes accepted by local clerks. Write-in votes, while permitted, did not change the outcome. Given the decisive result, the election did not trigger recounts or post-certification challenges. The swearing-in for the next term followed standard state procedure in January 2019.
Key Issues in the 2018 Campaign
Across the ballot, candidates emphasized several durable policy themes, many of which remain salient for Vermont governance. These topics shaped debate in forums and in voter considerations:
- Fiscal stability and responsible budgeting
- Healthcare access and cost, including Medicaid expansion
- Rural broadband and infrastructure investment
- Housing affordability and workforce development
- Climate and energy resilience
These issue areas frequently appear in Vermont campaigns because they reflect longstanding state priorities and intergovernmental funding dependencies. While candidate positions varied, the policy discourse remained grounded in long-standing state and federal frameworks.
Ballot Timeline and Certification Process
Understanding the sequence of the 2018 ballot cycle helps explain how candidates progressed to the general election and how results were certified. Key dates and nonpartisan procedural notes are summarized below. Times and exact filing deadlines can vary by election cycle; this summary reflects the 2018 schedule for context.
| Date or Period | Event | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Primary (August 14, 2018) | Partisan nominations determined | Advances top vote-getters to general |
| Filing deadline (late September 2018) | Candidates finalize party designation and ballot line | Determines who appears on the general ballot |
| General election (November 6, 2018) | Voting and canvass period | Expression of voter choice; provisional ballots counted |
| Certification (November–December 2018) | State canvass and final results | Official outcomes and transition planning |
| January 2019 | Governor’s swearing-in | Start of the new two-year term |
Post-Election Context and Legacy
After the 2018 election, the Scott administration focused on consistent fiscal planning, targeted transportation investments, and rural service delivery. Policy discussions continued around housing and energy, often referencing the 2018 platforms. Incumbent retention and two-year terms mean that gubernatorial elections recur frequently in Vermont’s political calendar, so this context helps situate each cycle within longer-term governance trends. For researchers and observers, archived candidate materials and Secretary of State records provide reliable sourcing for future comparative analysis.
Sources and Verification Pathways
Readers seeking primary documentation can consult the Vermont Secretary of State’s election results archive and the Vermont State Archives for candidate filings and certified results. Academic analyses of Vermont electoral trends and historical comparisons further support durable understanding of the state’s governance and candidate dynamics. These references are maintained as part of the public record and support ongoing, evidence-based discussion.
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