119,543 115,212 Start date November 2, 2010 | 49.5% 47.7% | |
 | ||
The 2010 Vermont gubernatorial general election took place on November 2, 2010. Vermont is one of only two states where the governor serves for a two-year term (the other being neighboring New Hampshire). The statewide primary election took place on August 24, 2010.
Contents
On August 27, 2009, incumbent Republican Party governor Jim Douglas announced he would not run for re-election. Following Douglas' announcement, the Democratic Governors Association said the race was in its top tier of elections for a change of political parties. The non-partisan Cook Political Report also rated the gubernatorial election as a toss-up.
On November 2, the voters posted an unofficial 117,561-113,227 electoral victory for Democratic Party candidate Peter Shumlin. Due to the other 4 candidates getting under 2,000, but most over 1,000 votes the total for Shumlin was close to the 50% plus 1 that is needed to not have the legislature vote on the winner as per the Vermont constitution. But regardless of whether Shumlin got the majority or simply a plurality of the vote, his main rival Republican Brian Dubie conceded the race around 9 am on November 3.
Candidate
Candidates
Peter Shumlin won the Democratic primary according to the uncertified tabulation of statewide votes released by the Office of the Secretary of State on August 27, 2010, by 197 votes over Doug Racine, who requested a recount. The recount began September 8. Racine conceded on September 10.
Candidates
Independent and third party candidates
Results
Because Vermont does not allow its governor to be elected with fewer than 50% plus 1 of the total votes cast, the Vermont General Assembly officially elected Peter Shumlin as Vermont's governor. The vote took place on January 6, 2011.