Vermont
Governor
Governor Phill Scott (R) did not face any competition in the Republican primary, so he sailed onto the general election in November. Vermont governors serve two-year terms, and Scott is running his fifth term. He is quite popular in the state. Scott’s early career spanned entrepreneurial pursuits until he was elected to a state senate seat in 2001. He served five terms in the senate until he successfully ran for lieutenant governor in 2011. Scott served as lieutenant governor until 2017 when he became governor. As the state’s chief executive, Scott has focused on workforce development, housing, healthcare, education, childcare, climate resiliency, and effectiveness of state government. Like his previous campaigns, Scott is running on themes of preventing tax increases and increasing affordability within the state. Former Governor Jim Douglas (R) and former Lieutenant Governor Brian Dubie (R) have endorsed Scott.
On the Democratic side, the primary field included Esther Charlestin and Peter Duval. After Tuesday’s primary, Esther Charlestin emerged with the Democratic nomination. She is a small business owner and Co-Chair of the Governor's Commission on Women as well as a former member of the Middlebury Selectboard. Before moving to Vermont, Charlestin worked for a decade in higher education as an administrator. Her campaign focuses on education and childcare affordability; attainable housing and livable wages; and climate resiliency. Charlestin supports reduction of housing regulations and a new tax on the state’s top earners to increase education funding. Charlestin has been endorsed by former Governor Howard Dean (D) and Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman (D).
Sabato’s Crystal Ball rates the race as Safe Republican, and the Cook Political Report rates it as Solid Republican.
Attorney General
Brooke Paige (R) advanced to the general election as the Republican Party’s only candidate for attorney general. If elected, he pledges to streamline regulatory processes to benefit current and future business in the state. He also plans to support energy efficiency efforts and implement criminal justice initiatives that include legalizing marijuana and establish uniform sentencing guidelines. Candidates in Vermont can file to run in the primary contests for multiple offices, and Paige, a perennial candidate, has done so in several election cycles. In 2024 he also filed for treasurer, state auditor, and secretary of state. Paige will only appear on the ballot for attorney general in November.
Incumbent Attorney General Charity Clark (D) secured her party’s nomination for re-election as the only Democratic candidate. Clark assumed office in 2023 as the first woman to be elected attorney general in Vermont. She attended Boston College Law School before beginning her legal career in private practice. Clark’s career in the attorney general’s office began in 2014 as an Assistant Attorney General in the Public Protection Division. She was later appointed Chief of Staff from 2018-2022. As attorney general, Clark’s priorities have included addressing data privacy and social media issues, domestic violence, and public safety. She has highlighted her office’s suit with Monsanto for contaminating Vermont’s water resources and schools with polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs). Clark also launched an investigation into TikTok over their alleged harm to children and has backed a comprehensive data privacy bill.
While public polling is not available for the attorney general race, Clark is expected to secure her second term in November.
Treasurer
Joshua Bechhoefer (R) advanced from the Republican primary for state treasurer as the party’s only candidate. Originally from Virginia, he earned his bachelor’s degree from the University of Vermont and has worked in the finance, carpentry, and aerospace industries. If elected, he would prioritize more options for pensions and advocate for a Bank of Vermont.
Incumbent State Treasurer Michael Pieciak (D) secured the Democratic Party’s nomination for re-election facing no primary competition. He served six years as the commissioner of the Vermont Department of Financial Regulation (DFR). He also served as deputy commissioner of DFR’s Securities Division. As treasurer, he supported the passage of Vermont Saves, a retirement program for Vermonters who lack access to retirement plans through their employment. His office also helped expand investments in housing, climate, and social equity initiatives through the 10% in Vermont program. If re-elected, Pieciak plans to continue prioritizing housing and workforce issues, climate resilience, state pensions, and more.
State Legislatures
ICYMI: Hawaii held its primary elections over the weekend. All 51 state house seats were up and 12 of the 25 state senate seats. Speaker of the House Scott Saiki (D) lost his primary election. Democratic challenger Kim Coco Iwamoto garnered 49.3% of the votes to edge Saiki, who received 44.6% of the vote for the 25th District seat.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin voters chose candidates for all 99 state assembly seats and 16 of 33 state senate seats. Twenty-three (23) incumbents in the state assembly and three in the state senate are not seeking re-election. Both chambers are expected to be much more competitive this year due to court-ordered redistricting: For the first time in a decade, Democrats and Republicans will be spending time and money on key state legislative races that could determine chamber control.
Minnesota
All 134 seats in the house are on the ballot this year. Twenty (20) incumbents did not file for re-election in 2024. There were 22 contested primaries, including seven Democratic primaries and 15 Republican primaries. Six (6) incumbents automatically won re-election after they faced no competitors in either party. Sabato’s Crystal Ball has included the Minnesota House among its toss-up races.
Connecticut
All state legislative seats are up for election in 2024, granted most primaries were canceled due to uncontested races. All 151 seats in the house were on the ballot alongside all 63 senate seats. Overall, 15 seats are being contested in the legislature, including 11 in the house and four in the senate. Democrats are expected to maintain control of both chambers.
Vermont
All state legislative seats are up for election this year. There are 150 house seats and 30 senate seats on the ballot. Democrats are expected to maintain supermajorities in both chambers in the November election.
Ballot Measures
Wisconsin
Wisconsinites had the opportunity to vote on two state funding related ballot measures in yesterday’s primary. The first was an amendment that would prohibit the legislature from delegating its power to appropriate money. This measure failed. The second was an amendment that would require legislative approval via a joint resolution before the governor can expend federal money appropriated to the state. This measure also failed.