Vermont Democrats picked economist Amanda Janoo to challenge Gov. Phil Scott, who is seeking a sixth term after winning 73% in 2024.
Vermont Democrats have picked economist Amanda Janoo as their nominee in the latest Phil Scott gubernatorial challenge, setting up another attempt to unseat the popular Republican governor in one of the nation’s most reliably Democratic states. Scott, meanwhile, will seek a sixth two-year term and remains the clear political target as he tries to extend his tenure in Montpelier.
Janoo defeated Aly Richards, a former child advocacy organization chief executive who had the backing of former Democratic Govs. Howard Dean and Madeleine Kunin, for the party’s nomination. Scott faced no Republican primary opposition and easily secured the GOP nomination. The Associated Press reported the result. If Scott wins again in November and finishes another term, he would surpass Dean as Vermont’s longest-serving governor.
The race is unfolding in a state where governors serve two-year terms, a system shared only by neighboring New Hampshire. That shorter cycle has made Vermont politics especially fluid, but Scott has managed to build unusual durability for a Republican in a place where Democrats typically control statewide contests. His appeal has cut across party lines even as he has remained a steady critic of President Donald Trump.
“Vermont Democrats picked economist Amanda Janoo to challenge Gov. Phil Scott, who is seeking a sixth term after winning 73% in 2024.”
Scott has long positioned himself as a moderate, and his political record reflects that lane. He endorsed former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley, then an ambassador, during the 2024 Republican presidential primaries. He also voted for then-Vice President Kamala Harris, the Democratic nominee, over Trump in the general election. Those choices have helped define him as a break from the national GOP brand and explain why he has remained competitive in a state that leans heavily blue.
The governor’s last election results show just how difficult the task is for Democrats. Scott won 73% of the vote in his 2024 re-election bid, topping the 69% he received in his 2022 victory. That kind of margin underscores both his personal popularity and the steep climb facing any challenger, no matter how strong the Democratic registration advantage may be in Vermont.
For Democrats, the contest is less about a routine nomination than about finding a message that can finally crack Scott’s statewide support. For Scott, it is another test of whether a centrist Republican can keep winning in a state where his party is the minority. The broader Vermont governor’s race will show whether voters are ready to keep rewarding his brand of independent-minded politics. For American readers, the takeaway is simple: in a state built for Democrats, Phil Scott keeps proving that personality and moderation can still beat the partisan map.
Frequently asked questions
Who won the Democratic nomination in Vermont's governor race?
Economist Amanda Janoo won the Democratic nomination after defeating Aly Richards.
What is Phil Scott trying to achieve in this election?
Scott is seeking a sixth two-year term as governor of Vermont. If he wins and completes another term, he would pass Howard Dean as the state's longest-serving governor.
Why is Scott considered difficult to beat?
He is a popular moderate Republican in a deeply Democratic state, and he won 73% of the vote in his 2024 re-election.
How often does Vermont elect its governor?
Vermont elects its governor every two years. New Hampshire is the only other state that uses the same schedule.
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