Vermont governor race 2026: Phil Scott vs. Amanda Janoo

The basics

Vermonters vote Nov. 3. The state elects its governor every two years. Scott, first elected in 2016, has won four reelections by growing margins, and in 2024 helped Republicans break Democratic supermajorities in the Legislature. Janoo won the Aug. 11 Democratic primary. Along with New Hampshire, Vermont is one of two states Kamala Harris won in 2024 where a Republican governor is on the ballot this year, and the only one she carried by double digits.

The candidates

Phil Scott (R), 68, is the country's second longest serving sitting governor. He is widely seen as a moderate and has never voted for Donald Trump. Morning Consult has ranked him among the most popular governors in the country.

Amanda Janoo (D), 39, is an economic policy adviser for the Wellbeing Economy Alliance who lives in Burlington and spent much of her early career in international development. This is her first run for office. Sen. Bernie Sanders endorsed her in October.

Where the race stands

Polls disagree on the size of Scott's lead. A State Navigate poll (Oct. 23–25, 1,752 likely voters, ±2.3) had Scott 49%, Janoo 46%. In September, a Vermont Public poll conducted by Braun Research (Sept. 10–21, 737 likely voters, ±3.4) had Scott ahead 44% to 34%, while the University of New Hampshire Survey Center (Sept. 17–21, 829 likely voters, ±3.3) had Janoo ahead 49% to 43%. Both September polls found fewer than half of Vermonters approve of Scott's job performance, the first time that has happened in his tenure, The Boston Globe reported. STTPN's average of three recent independent polls is Scott 45.3%, Janoo 43%.

Cook and Inside Elections rate the race Likely Republican. Sabato's Crystal Ball rates it Lean Republican. Janoo outraised Scott through September, about $706,000 to $414,000, and the Republican Governors Association put $400,000 into a super PAC supporting Scott in early October, its first investment in the race. Until then, outside groups had largely stayed out.

The issues

Health care and taxes

Janoo's central proposal is state funded universal primary and preventive care, paid for with a 2% surcharge on income over $250,000 and 5% on income over $500,000. She has also proposed raising $1 billion from taxes on luxury second homes, vacation rentals and private equity owned properties. Scott's campaign compares her health plan to former Gov. Peter Shumlin's abandoned single payer effort, saying Vermonters "couldn't afford it then … and certainly can't afford it now."

Schools and property taxes

Scott has pushed to consolidate school districts to slow property tax growth, which has upset some rural voters. "I think we're doing it for the right reasons, but you pay the price sometimes," he told the Globe.

Data centers, F-35s and surveillance

Scott vetoed a bill in May that would have regulated AI data centers. Janoo supports a moratorium on new ones. Janoo opposes basing F-35 fighter jets at Burlington's airport. Scott says moving them would cost the Vermont Air National Guard more than 1,000 jobs. Janoo also wants to ban license plate reader cameras used by some police departments.

Controversies

Scott has questioned Janoo's lack of government experience and called her call for the state to rely less on federal money unrealistic. Janoo calls herself an economist but does not have a degree in the field, the Globe reported. Scott's vetoes of progressive bills have been cited as a reason for his decline in crossover support from Democrats, VTDigger reported. Asked about his long tenure, Scott said, "There is a shelf life to all of us."