View source for 1992 United States House of Representatives election in Vermont

{{Short description|none}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox election
| election_name = 1992 United States House of Representatives election in Vermont
| country = Vermont
| type = presidential
| ongoing = no
| previous_election = 1990 United States House of Representatives election in Vermont
| previous_year = 1990
| next_election = 1994 United States House of Representatives election in Vermont
| next_year = 1994
| election_date = November 3, 1992
| image1 = File:Bernie Sanders 104th Congress.jpg
| image_size = 150x150px
| nominee1 = '''[[Bernie Sanders]]'''
| party1 = Independent (United States)
| popular_vote1 = '''162,724'''
| percentage1 = '''57.8%'''
| image2 = File:TimPhilbin.png
| nominee2 = Tim Philbin
| party2 = Republican Party (United States)
| popular_vote2 = 86,901
| percentage2 = 30.9%
| image3 = File:LewisEYoung.png
| nominee3 = Lewis E. Young
| party3 = Democratic Party (United States)
| popular_vote3 = 22,279
| percentage3 = 7.9%
| map_image = {{switcher |[[File:VermontHouseofRepresentivesElection1992.svg|220px]] |County results |[[File:1992 United States House Election in Vermon by Municipalityt.svg|220px]] |Municipality results |default=1}}
| map_caption = '''Sanders:''' {{legend0|#E6E6E6|30–40%}} {{legend0|#d3d3d3|40–50%}} {{legend0|#BDBDBD|50–60%}} {{legend0|#969696|60–70%}} {{legend0|#737373|70–80%}} <br />'''Philbin:''' {{legend0|#FFC8CD|30–40%}} {{legend0|#FFB2B2|40–50%}} {{legend0|#E27F7F|50–60%}} {{legend0|#D75D5D|60–70%}}
| title = Representative<br/ > At-large
| before_election = [[Bernie Sanders]]
| before_party = Independent (politician)
| after_election = [[Bernie Sanders]]
| after_party = Independent (politician)
}}
{{ElectionsVT}}

The '''1992 United States House of Representatives election in Vermont''' was held on Tuesday, November 3, 1992, to elect the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. representative]] from the state's [[Vermont's At-large congressional district|at-large congressional district]]. The election coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial [[1992 United States presidential election|presidential election]] and an [[United States Senate election in Vermont, 1992|election to the U.S. Senate]].

==Republican primary==
===Candidates===
*Tim Philbin, insurance agent<ref name=Debatess>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6YlEjTrx2s|title=Bernie Sanders Debates Gun Control in 1990 Sportsmen's Forum|website=YouTube|publisher=SevenDaysVT|date=June 26, 2019|access-date=April 15, 2020}}</ref>
*Ralph Sinclair, snack company owner<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92104559/sinclair/|title=Sinclair confident he can beat Sanders|website=Bennington Banner|last1=Stanley|first1=Peter|date=July 9, 1992|accessdate=January 8, 2021}}</ref> ''(Withdrew, endorsed Philbin)''<ref name=Sinclair>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91516519/the-burlington-free-press/|title=Sinclair out of primary, backs Philbin|website=The Burlington Free Press|last1=Liley|first1=Betsy|date=September 3, 1992|accessdate=December 31, 2021}}</ref>
*Jeff Wennberg, mayor of [[Rutland (city), Vermont|Rutland]]<ref name=Archives>{{cite web|url=https://dolearchivecollections.ku.edu/collections/speeches/069/c019_069_013_all.pdf|title=ADI: Burlington-Plattsburgh in Vermont|publisher=[[University of Kansas]]|work=Dole Archives|year=1992|accessdate=December 31, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127205306/https://dolearchivecollections.ku.edu/collections/speeches/069/c019_069_013_all.pdf|archive-date=27 November 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Campaign===
A total of three candidates made the ballot in the Republican primary, insurance agent Tim Philbin, [[Rutland (city), Vermont|Rutland]] mayor Jeff Wennberg, and Ralph Sinclair.<ref name=Sinclair/> Wennberg was considered a moderate Republican, backing [[abortion rights]] and tax increases on the rich, while Philbin and Sinclair were conservative Republicans who were opposed to abortion and any tax increases.<ref name=Sinclair/> Originally, Wennberg was considered the frontrunner in the primary, but in early September 1992 Sinclair, who had fallen into a distinct third place in the race, withdrew his candidacy and backed Philbin, which was viewed as potentially giving the latter the edge.<ref name=Sinclair/>

===Endorsements===
{{Endorsements box
| title = Jeff Wennberg
| list =
'''Federal officials'''
*[[Jim Jeffords]], [[U.S. Senator]] from [[Vermont]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107315124/jeffords-endorses-wennberg/|title=Jeffords Endorses Wennberg bid for Congress|newspaper=Rutland Daily Herald|agency=Southern Vermont Bureau|date=July 13, 1992|accessdate=August 10, 2022|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
'''Organizations'''
*[[NRA Political Victory Fund]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91517237/bennington-banner/|title=NRA backs Wennberg in U.S. House race|newspaper=Bennington Banner|date=September 5, 1992|accessdate=December 31, 2021|agency=Associated Press}}</ref>
'''Newspapers and publications'''
*''[[Rutland Daily Herald]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/107315083/herald-endorses-wennberg/|title=Making a Choice|newspaper=Rutland Daily Herald|last1=Mitchell|first1=Robert W.|last2=Wild|first2=Kendall|last3=Van Hoesen|first3=John W.|date=September 1, 1992|accessdate=August 10, 2022|via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref>
}}

===Results===
{{Election box begin no change
 | title     = Republican primary results<ref name=primary>{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.state.vt.us/media/62914/p1992.pdf|title=1992 Primary Election Results|publisher=Vermont Secretary of State|access-date=January 9, 2015|archive-date=January 26, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160126094856/https://www.sec.state.vt.us/media/62914/p1992.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
 |party      = Republican Party (United States)
 |candidate  = Tim Philbin
 |votes      = 18,489
 |percentage = 50.21
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party      = Republican Party (United States)
 |candidate  = Jeff Wennberg
 |votes      = 14,881
 |percentage = 40.41
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party      = Republican Party (United States)
 |candidate  = Ralph H. Sinclair ''(Withdrawn)''
 |votes      = 3,250
 |percentage = 8.83
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party      = Republican Party (United States)
 |candidate  = Write-ins
 |votes      = 203
 |percentage = 0.55
}}
{{Election box total no change
 |votes      = 36,823
 |percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box end}}

==Democratic primary==
===Candidates===
====Declared====
*Lewis E. Young, chef and candidate for [[Vermont Secretary of State]] in 1988<ref name=Chef/>

====Declined====
*[[David Wolk]], state senator<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93875182/wolk/|title=Rutland mayor enters race for Sanders' seat|website=Bennington Banner|last1=Allen|first1=Susan|date=January 7, 1992|agency=[[Associated Press]]|accessdate=January 31, 2021}}</ref>

===Results===
{{Election box begin no change
 | title     = Democratic primary results<ref name=primary/>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
 |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
 |candidate  = Lewis E. Young
 |votes      = 16,305
 |percentage = 90.08
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
 |candidate  = Write-ins
 |votes      = 1,796
 |percentage = 9.92
}}
{{Election box total no change
 |votes      = 18,101
 |percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box end}}

==Liberty Union primary==
{{Election box begin no change
 | title     = Liberty Union primary results<ref name=primary/>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
 |party      = Liberty Union Party
 |candidate  = Peter Diamondstone
 |votes      = 308
 |percentage = 95.36
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
 |party      = Liberty Union Party
 |candidate  = Write-ins
 |votes      = 15
 |percentage = 4.64
}}
{{Election box total no change
 |votes      = 323
 |percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box end}}

==General election==
===Candidates===
*John Dewey (Natural Law), former director of Flight Training at the [[Florida Institute of Technology]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91582614/dewey/|title=John H. Dewey runs for congress|work=Rutland Herald|date=October 3, 1992|accessdate=January 1, 2022}}</ref>
*[[Peter Diamondstone]] (Liberty Union), perennial candidate and socialist activist<ref name=Results/>
*Douglas M. Miller (Freedom for LaRouche)<ref name=Results/>
*Tim Philbin (Republican), insurance agent<ref name=Debatess/>
*[[Bernie Sanders]] (Independent), incumbent U.S. Representative<ref name=Results/>
*Lewis E. Young (Democratic), chef and candidate for [[Vermont Secretary of State]] in 1988<ref name=Chef>{{cite news|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91558076/lewis-e-young-chef/|title=Democrat makes low-key run for congress|last1=Donlan|first1=Ann E.|newspaper=The Burlington Free Press |date=September 8, 1992|page=4 |accessdate=December 31, 2021}}</ref>

===Campaign===
As the campaign began Sanders and Philbin immediately began to attack each other in the press, with their sniping deemed by the ''[[Brattleboro Reformer]]'' as a "fax war".<ref name=Fax>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91516850/the-brattleboro-reformer/|title=Just the fax, ma'am|website=Brattleboro Reformer|author=The Editorial Board|date=September 14, 1992|accessdate=December 31, 2021}}</ref> Sanders attacked Philbin for opposing abortions, even in cases of rape and incest, and championed his own record supporting abortion rights.<ref name=Fax/> Philbin responded by accusing Sanders of misrepresenting his position, and accused the incumbent of supporting "fat budgets and high taxes".<ref name=Fax/>

===Debates===
{| class="wikitable"
|-<sup>†</sup>
! style="background:#B0C4DE" colspan="16"| 1992 Vermont at-large congressional district general election debates
|-
!style="white-space:nowrap;"|&nbsp;{{abbr|No.|Number}} || Date & Time || Host || Moderator || Link || scope="col" colspan="10"| Participants
|-
!colspan="5" rowspan="2" |Key:<br />{{Colors|black|#90ff90|&nbsp;P&nbsp;}} <small>Participant &nbsp;</small> {{Colors|black|#FFFFDD|&nbsp;A&nbsp;}} <small>Absent &nbsp;</small> {{Colors|black|#ff9090|&nbsp;N&nbsp;}} <small>Non-invitee &nbsp;</small>
! scope="col" style="width:10em; background: #d9e650;"|
! scope="col" style="width:10em; background: #FF1A00;"|
! scope="col" style="width:10em; background: #d3d3d3;"|
! scope="col" style="width:10em; background: #3333FF;"|
|-
! [[Peter Diamondstone]]
! Timothy Philbin
! [[Bernie Sanders]]
! Lewis E. Young
|-
! {{nbsp}} 1<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92789540/1992-vermont-house-debate/|title=House candidates show stark differences in philosophies|website=The Burlington Free Press|last1=Hill|first1=Toya|date=September 27, 1992|accessdate=April 30, 2022}}</ref>{{nbsp}}
|style="white-space:nowrap;"| {{center|September 26, 1992}}
|style="white-space:nowrap;"| {{center|''[[The Burlington Free Press]]''}}
|style="white-space:nowrap;"| 
|style="white-space:nowrap;"| 
| {{Yes|'''P'''}}
| {{Yes|'''P'''}}
| {{Yes|'''P'''}}
| {{Yes|'''P'''}}
|}

===Endorsements===
{{Endorsements box
| title = Tim Philbin (R)
| list =
'''Federal officials'''
*[[Jim Jeffords]], U.S. Senator from Vermont<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91516280/the-burlington-free-press/|title=Jeffords chips in to help GOP|newspaper=The Burlington Free Press|last1=Hemingway|first1=Sam|date=October 16, 1992|accessdate=December 31, 2021}}</ref>
'''Newspapers and publications'''
*''[[Caledonian-Record]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92789264/newspapers/|title=More papers endorse Vermont candidates|work=The Brattleboro Reformer|agency=[[Associated Press]]|date=October 23, 1992|accessdate=January 17, 2022}}</ref>
}}
{{Endorsements box
| title = Bernie Sanders (I)
| list =
'''State officials'''
*[[Donald M. Hooper]], state representative and Democratic nominee for [[Vermont Secretary of State]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93875103/muddy/|title=Mudslinging|website=Bennington Banner|date=November 3, 1992|accessdate=January 31, 2022}}</ref>
'''Labor unions'''
*[[National Education Association]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100748848/|title=Sanders cites consistency in re-election campaign|work=The Burlington Free Press|date=August 17, 1992|accessdate=April 30, 2022}}</ref>
*[[United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/92789100/ue-international/|title=Local leaders wait to see what Clinton will do|website=Bennington Banner|last1=Bell|first1=Mary|date=November 7, 1992|accessdate=January 17, 2022}}</ref>
'''Newspapers and publications'''
*''[[Rutland Daily Herald]]''<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93875254/rutland-leahy-sanders/|title=For Leahy and Sanders|last1=Mitchell|first1=Robert W.|last2=Wild|first2=Kendall|last3=Van Hoesen|first3=John W.|date=November 2, 1992|accessdate=January 31, 2022|newspaper=Rutland Daily Herald}}</ref>
}}
{{Endorsements box
| title = Lewis E. Young (D)
| list =
'''State officials'''
*[[Howard Dean]], [[Governor of Vermont]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/93876999/dean-young/|title=Dean endorses Lewis house bid|agency=Vermont Press Bureau|date=October 23, 1992|accessdate=January 31, 2022|website=Rutland Daily Herald}}</ref>
}}

===Polling===
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%;text-align:center;"
|- valign=bottom
! Poll source
! Date(s)<br />administered
! Sample<br />size
! Margin<br />of error
! style="width:60px;"| Tim<br />Philbin
! style="width:60px;"| Bernie<br />Sanders
! style="width:60px;"| Lewis<br />E. Young
! Other
! Undecided
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|[[Political/Media Research]]<ref>[https://dolearchivecollections.ku.edu/collections/speeches/069/c019_069_013_all.pdf Political/Media Research]</ref>
|September 15, 1992
|610 (LV)
|±&nbsp;4.0%
|22%
|{{party shading/Nonpartisan}}|'''43%'''
|9%
|
|
|-
|style="text-align:left;"|[[The Burlington Free Press]]<ref>[https://dolearchivecollections.ku.edu/collections/speeches/069/c019_069_013_all.pdf The Burlington Free Press]</ref>
|
|
|±&nbsp;5.0%
|23%
|{{party shading/Nonpartisan}}|'''49%'''
|5%
|1%{{efn|Peter Diamondstone with 1%}}
|22%
|-
|}

===Results===
{{Election box begin no change
  | title     = Vermont's At-large congressional district election, 1992<ref name=Results>{{cite web|url=https://www.sec.state.vt.us/media/684385/generalelection_USRep_1932on_1D.pdf|title=United States Representative (One District): 1932-2014|publisher=Vermont Secretary of State|access-date=January 8, 2015|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304113627/https://www.sec.state.vt.us/media/684385/generalelection_USRep_1932on_1D.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
}}
{{Election box winning candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Independent (politician)
  |candidate  = [[Bernie Sanders]] (incumbent)
  |votes      = 162,724
  |percentage = 57.78
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Republican Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Tim Philbin
  |votes      = 86,901
  |percentage = 30.86
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Democratic Party (United States)
  |candidate  = Lewis E. Young
  |votes      = 22,279
  |percentage = 7.91
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Liberty Union Party
  |candidate  = [[Peter Diamondstone]]
  |votes      = 3,660
  |percentage = 1.30
}}
{{Election box candidate with party link no change
  |party      = Natural Law Party (United States)
  |candidate  = John Dewey
  |votes      = 3,549
  |percentage = 1.26
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
  |party      = [[LaRouche movement|Freedom for LaRouche]]
  |candidate  = Douglas M. Miller
  |votes      = 2,049
  |percentage = 0.73
}}
{{Election box candidate no change
  |party      = Write-ins
  |candidate  = N/A
  |votes      = 464
  |percentage = 0.16
}}
{{Election box total no change
  |votes      = 281,626
  |percentage = 100.00
}}
{{Election box hold with party link without swing
  |winner     = Independent (politician)
}}
{{Election box end}}

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{United States elections, 1992}}
{{Bernie Sanders}}

[[Category:United States House of Representatives elections in Vermont|1992]]
[[Category:1992 United States House of Representatives elections|Vermont]]
[[Category:1992 Vermont elections]]
[[Category:Bernie Sanders]]