2010 Vermont gubernatorial election


The 2010 Vermont gubernatorial general election took place on November 2, 2010. Vermont is one of two states where the governor serves for a two-year term instead of four years. The primary election took place on August 24, 2010.
On August 27, 2009, four-term incumbent Republican 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 election as a toss-up.
There was a 117,561 to 113,227 electoral victory for Democratic Party candidate Peter Shumlin. The other 4 candidates got over 1,000 votes each but under 2,000; Shumlin received at least 50% plus 1 majority so the legislature did not have to vote on the winner as per the Vermont constitution. His main rival Republican Brian Dubie conceded the race around 9 am on November 3.

Republican primary

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.

Results

Progressive primary

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.