2012 United States Senate election in Vermont

2012 United States Senate election in Vermont
Turnout	63.47% (voting eligible)
	County results; Sanders: 60–70% 70–80%
U.S. senator before election; Bernie Sanders; Independent	Elected U.S. Senator ; Bernie Sanders; Independent

The 2012 United States Senate election in Vermont was held on November 6, 2012, alongside the presidential election, other elections to the United States Congress, as well as various state and local elections. Incumbent Independent U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders won re-election to a second term in a landslide, capturing nearly three-quarters of the vote.

Background

Then-U.S. representative Bernie Sanders, an independent and self-described democratic socialist was elected with 65% of the vote in the 2006 U.S. senatorial election in Vermont.

Democratic primary

Candidates

Bernie Sanders, incumbent U.S. Senator^[2]

Sanders has also received the nomination of the Vermont Progressive Party, but declined both the Democratic and Progressive nominations after the primary.^[3]

Republican primary

Candidates

Declared

John MacGovern, former Massachusetts State Representative^[4]
H. Brooke Paige, former CEO of Remmington News Service^[5]

Declined

Kevin Dorn, former Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development^[6]
Jim Douglas, former Governor^{[citation needed]}
Thom Lauzon, Mayor of Barre^[7]
Tom Salmon, state auditor^[8]

Results

Republican primary results^[9]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	John MacGovern	6,343	75.4
	Republican	Brooke Paige	2,073	24.6
Total votes			8,416	99.6

General election

Candidates

Peter Diamondstone (Liberty Union), perennial candidate
Cris Ericson (U.S. Marijuana), perennial candidate (also running for Governor)^[10]
Laurel LaFramboise (VoteKISS)^[11]
John MacGovern (Republican), former Massachusetts State Representative
Peter Moss (Peace and Prosperity)^[11]
Bernie Sanders (I), incumbent U.S. Senator^[12]

Predictions

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report^[13]	style="background:Template:Independent (United States)/meta/color" \|Solid I	November 1, 2012
Sabato's Crystal Ball^[14]	style="background:Template:Independent (United States)/meta/color" \|Safe I	November 5, 2012
Rothenberg Political Report^[15]	style="background:Template:Independent (United States)/meta/color" \|Safe I	November 2, 2012
Real Clear Politics^[16]	style="background:Template:Independent (United States)/meta/color" \|Safe I	November 5, 2012

Debates

Complete video of debate, October 25, 2012 - C-SPAN

Polling

Results

United States Senate election in Vermont, 2012^[17]
Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Independent	Bernie Sanders (incumbent)	207,848	71.00%	+5.59%
	Republican	John MacGovern	72,898	24.90%	−7.46%
	Marijuana	Cris Ericson	5,924	2.02%	N/A
	Liberty Union	Peter Diamondstone	2,511	0.86%	+0.55%
	Peace and Prosperity	Peter Moss	2,452	0.84%	+0.26%
	VoteKISS	Laurel LaFramboise	877	0.30%	N/A
	Write-in		252	0.08%	-0.02%
Total votes			292,762	100.00%	N/A
	Independent hold

References

^ Dr. Michael McDonald (February 9, 2013). "2012 General Election Turnout Rates". George Mason University. Archived from the original on April 24, 2013. Retrieved April 6, 2013.
^ Dobbs, Taylor (June 13, 2012). "Sanders' papers filed, Peyton running for governor". VTDigger.org. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
^ "Progressives nominate Sanders, Hoffer, Condos and Stanak for statewide office". VTDigger.org. June 12, 2012. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
^ Gregg, John P. (March 10, 2012). "MacGovern Plans Run at U.S. Senate". Valley News. Archived from the original on March 18, 2012. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
^ Gregg, John P. (March 15, 2012). "Republican in Waiting?". Valley News. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
^ Hirschfeld, Peter (March 19, 2012). "Kevin Dorn opts against run for office". Vermont Press Bureau. Archived from the original on March 29, 2012. Retrieved March 29, 2012.
^ "Lauzon wants 2 more years in Barre". Vermont Today. December 21, 2011. Retrieved January 29, 2011.
^ Remsen, Nancy (September 23, 2011). "Salmon says he wants to remain as Vermont Auditor". The Burlington Free Press. Retrieved September 24, 2011.
^ Grasgreen, Allie (January 23, 1964). "2016 Primary Election Results: President Live Map by State, Real-Time Voting Updates". Politico. Retrieved January 23, 2016.
^ McCarty, Alicia (November 13, 2011). "A look ahead to the key races in the Northeast in 2012". USA Today. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
^ ^a ^b Dobbs, Taylor (June 14, 2012). "And they're off: Candidates file for races". VTDigger.org. Retrieved June 23, 2012.
^ Hemingway, Sam (January 31, 2012). "Sanders has nearly $3 million for re-election bid". The Burlington Free Press. Retrieved February 15, 2012.
^ "2012 Senate Race Ratings for November 1, 2012". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
^ "2012 Senate". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
^ "2012 Senate Ratings". Senate Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
^ "2012 Elections Map - Battle for the Senate 2012". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved September 20, 2018.
^ http://vtelectionarchive.sec.state.vt.us/elections/search/year_from:2012/year_to:2012/office_id:6/stage:General

External links

Elections and Campaign Finance Division at the Vermont Secretary of State
Campaign contributions at OpenSecrets.org
Outside spending at Sunlight Foundation
Candidate issue positions at On the Issues

Official campaign websites (Archived)

[VEP12-1] Dr. Michael McDonald (February 9, 2013). "2012 General Election Turnout Rates". George Mason University. Archived from the original on April 24, 2013. Retrieved April 6, 2013.

[2] Dobbs, Taylor (June 13, 2012). "Sanders' papers filed, Peyton running for governor". VTDigger.org. Retrieved June 23, 2012.

[3] "Progressives nominate Sanders, Hoffer, Condos and Stanak for statewide office". VTDigger.org. June 12, 2012. Retrieved June 23, 2012.

[4] Gregg, John P. (March 10, 2012). "MacGovern Plans Run at U.S. Senate". Valley News. Archived from the original on March 18, 2012. Retrieved June 23, 2012.

[5] Gregg, John P. (March 15, 2012). "Republican in Waiting?". Valley News. Archived from the original on September 3, 2014. Retrieved June 23, 2012.

[6] Hirschfeld, Peter (March 19, 2012). "Kevin Dorn opts against run for office". Vermont Press Bureau. Archived from the original on March 29, 2012. Retrieved March 29, 2012.

[7] "Lauzon wants 2 more years in Barre". Vermont Today. December 21, 2011. Retrieved January 29, 2011.

[8] Remsen, Nancy (September 23, 2011). "Salmon says he wants to remain as Vermont Auditor". The Burlington Free Press. Retrieved September 24, 2011.

[9] Grasgreen, Allie (January 23, 1964). "2016 Primary Election Results: President Live Map by State, Real-Time Voting Updates". Politico. Retrieved January 23, 2016.

[10] McCarty, Alicia (November 13, 2011). "A look ahead to the key races in the Northeast in 2012". USA Today. Retrieved February 15, 2012.

[VTD-11] Dobbs, Taylor (June 14, 2012). "And they're off: Candidates file for races". VTDigger.org. Retrieved June 23, 2012.

[12] Hemingway, Sam (January 31, 2012). "Sanders has nearly $3 million for re-election bid". The Burlington Free Press. Retrieved February 15, 2012.

[13] "2012 Senate Race Ratings for November 1, 2012". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved September 20, 2018.

[14] "2012 Senate". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved September 20, 2018.

[15] "2012 Senate Ratings". Senate Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved September 20, 2018.

[16] "2012 Elections Map - Battle for the Senate 2012". Real Clear Politics. Retrieved September 20, 2018.

[17] ttp://vtelectionarchive.sec.state.vt.us/elections/search/year_from:2012/year_to:2012/office_id:6/stage:General

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

[16]

[17]

v t e (2011 ←) 2012 United States elections (→ 2013)
U.S. President	Alabama Alaska Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Guam (straw poll)
U.S. Senate	Arizona California Connecticut Delaware Florida Hawaii Indiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Jersey New Mexico New York North Dakota Ohio Pennsylvania Rhode Island Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
U.S. House (Election ratings)	Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona 8th sp Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware District of Columbia Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois 2nd sp Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky 4th sp Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan 11th 11th sp Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey 10th sp New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Northern Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Oregon 1st sp Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virginia U.S. Virgin Islands Washington 1st sp West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming
Governors	American Samoa Delaware Lt. Gov Indiana Missouri Lt. Gov Montana New Hampshire North Carolina Lt. Gov North Dakota Puerto Rico Utah Vermont Washington West Virginia Wisconsin (recall)
Attorneys general	Missouri North Carolina Pennsylvania
Other statewide elections	Wisconsin Lieutenant Governor (recall)
State legislatures	Arizona Senate California Assembly Senate Connecticut Senate Delaware House Senate Florida House Hawaii House Senate Illinois House Senate Iowa Senate Michigan House Minnesota House Senate Montana House New Mexico House Senate New York Senate North Carolina House Senate Oregon Legislative Assembly Pennsylvania House Senate Texas House Senate Washington House Senate Wisconsin Assembly Senate recalls Wyoming Senate
Mayoral	Alexandria, VA Anchorage, AK Augusta, GA Austin, TX Bakersfield, CA Baton Rouge, LA Cheyenne, WY Corpus Christi, TX Fort Lauderdale, FL Fresno, CA Glendale, AZ Honolulu, HI Huntsville, AL Irvine, CA Juneau, AK Lubbock, TX Mesa, AZ Miami-Dade County, FL Milwaukee, WI Orlando, FL Portland, OR Richmond, VA Riverside, CA Sacramento, CA San Diego, CA San Juan, PR Santa Ana, CA Stockton, CA Virginia Beach, VA Wilmington, DE
States and territories	Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas U.S. Virgin Islands Utah Vermont Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming

v t e Notable third-party performances in United States elections
* Third party is endorsed by a major party
Presidential	1788–89* 1792* 1832 1848 1856 1860 1872* 1892 1896* 1912 1924 1948 1960 1968 1980 1992 1996
Senatorial (since 1940)	California 1940 Minnesota 1940 North Dakota 1940 Wisconsin 1940 Minnesota 1942 Minnesota 1942 Nebraska 1942 Virginia 1942 North Dakota 1944 Wisconsin 1944 California 1946 (Republican write-in) North Dakota 1946 North Dakota 1946 Tennessee 1946 Arkansas 1948 Alabama 1950 New Hampshire 1950 California 1952 Maine 1952 New York 1952 North Dakota 1952 Virginia 1952 South Carolina 1954 (Democratic write-in) Virginia 1954 Utah 1958 Virginia 1958 Virginia 1960 Virginia 1964 Mississippi 1966 Virginia 1966 Virginia 1966 Alabama 1968 Alaska 1968 Maryland 1968 New York 1968 Connecticut 1970 Mississippi 1970 New York 1970 Virginia 1970 Louisiana 1972 Florida 1974 Hawaii 1974 Nevada 1974 New York 1974 Utah 1974 Minnesota 1976 Virginia 1976 Alabama 1978 Arkansas 1978 Maine 1978 Mississippi 1978 New York 1980 Washington 1982 Tennessee 1984 Virginia 1990 Alaska 1992 Arizona 1992 Hawaii 1992 Louisiana 1992 Ohio 1992 Arizona 1994 Minnesota 1994 Ohio 1994 Vermont 1994 Virginia 1994 Alaska 1996 Minnesota 1996 Arizona 2000 Massachusetts 2000 Minnesota 2000 Alaska 2002 Kansas 2002 Massachusetts 2002 Mississippi 2002 Oklahoma 2002 Virginia 2002 Oklahoma 2004 Connecticut 2006 Indiana 2006 Maine 2006 Vermont 2006* Arkansas 2008 Idaho 2008 Minnesota 2008 Oregon 2008 Alaska 2010 (Republican write-in) Florida 2010 Indiana 2010 South Carolina 2010 Utah 2010 Indiana 2012 Maine 2012 Maryland 2012 Missouri 2012 Montana 2012 Vermont 2012* Kansas 2014 South Dakota 2014 Wyoming 2014 Alaska 2016 Arizona 2016 Idaho 2016 Indiana 2016 Kansas 2016 Maine 2018 New Mexico 2018 Vermont 2018* Alaska 2020* Arkansas 2020 Minnesota 2020 Nebraska 2020 Idaho 2022 North Dakota 2022 Utah 2022* Maine 2024 Nebraska 2024 Utah 2024 Vermont 2024*
Gubernatorial (since 1940)	Minnesota 1940 Wisconsin 1940 Connecticut 1942 Minnesota 1942 New York 1942 Wisconsin 1942 North Dakota 1944 Wisconsin 1944 California 1946 Tennessee 1950 Maine 1952 Vermont 1952 Tennessee 1954 Nebraska 1956 Texas 1956 Utah 1956 Oklahoma 1958 Tennessee 1958 North Dakota 1960 Tennessee 1962 Virginia 1965 Alabama 1966 Georgia 1966 Idaho 1966 Maryland 1966 New York 1966 Tennessee 1966 Alabama 1970 Arkansas 1970 New Hampshire 1970 New York 1970 Mississippi 1971 New Hampshire 1972 Texas 1972 Washington 1972 Virginia 1973 Maine 1974 Nebraska 1974 Nevada 1974 Texas 1974 Vermont 1974 Vermont 1976 Alaska 1978 California 1978 Maine 1978 Rhode Island 1978 Alaska 1982 Arizona 1982 Hawaii 1982 Alaska 1986 Arizona 1986 Illinois 1986 Maine 1986 Oklahoma 1986 Vermont 1986 Utah 1988 Alaska 1990 Connecticut 1990 Kansas 1990 Maine 1990 New York 1990 Oklahoma 1990 Oregon 1990 Utah 1992 West Virginia 1992 Alaska 1994 Connecticut 1994 Hawaii 1994 Maine 1994 New Mexico 1994 Oklahoma 1994 Pennsylvania 1994 Rhode Island 1994 Vermont 1994 Alaska 1998 Maine 1998 Minnesota 1998 New York 1998 Pennsylvania 1998 Rhode Island 1998 Kentucky 1999 New Hampshire 2000 Vermont 2000 Arizona 2002 California 2002 Maine 2002 Minnesota 2002 New Mexico 2002 New York 2002 Oklahoma 2002 Vermont 2002 Wisconsin 2002 Alaska 2006 Illinois 2006 Maine 2006 Massachusetts 2006 Minnesota 2006 Texas 2006 Louisiana 2007 Vermont 2008 New Jersey 2009 Colorado 2010 Idaho 2010 Maine 2010 Massachusetts 2010 Minnesota 2010 Rhode Island 2010 Wyoming 2010 Kentucky 2011 Virginia 2013 Alaska 2014* Hawaii 2014 Maine 2014 Rhode Island 2014 Wyoming 2014 Maine 2018 Kansas 2018 Indiana 2020 Vermont 2020* Alaska 2022 Idaho 2022 Oregon 2022 North Dakota 2024 Utah 2024 (Republican write-in)
Territorial Governors (since 1970)	U.S. Virgin Islands 1970 Puerto Rico 1972 District of Columbia 1974 U.S. Virgin Islands 1974 U.S. Virgin Islands 1978 Puerto Rico 1980 U.S. Virgin Islands 1986 Puerto Rico 1988 U.S. Virgin Islands 1990 U.S. Virgin Islands 1994 U.S. Virgin Islands 1998 Puerto Rico 2000 Northern Mariana Islands 2001 U.S. Virgin Islands 2002 Northern Mariana Islands 2005 U.S. Virgin Islands 2006 Northern Mariana Islands 2009 District of Columbia 2010 U.S. Virgin Islands 2010 District of Columbia 2014 Northern Mariana Islands 2014 U.S. Virgin Islands 2014 Puerto Rico 2016 District of Columbia 2018 Guam 2018 Northern Mariana Islands 2018 U.S. Virgin Islands 2018 Puerto Rico 2020 District of Columbia 2022 Northern Mariana Islands 2022 U.S. Virgin Islands 2022 Puerto Rico 2024
State legislative	Alaska Hawaii Louisiana Montana West Virginia Wyoming
Portal:Politics Third party (U.S. politics) List of third-party and independent performances in United States elections Third-party and independent members of the United States Congress