Popular GOP governor’s Dem challenger revealed in deep-blue state’s primary

Democrat Esther Charlestin was declared the winner in Vermont’s gubernatorial primary on Tuesday night, advancing her to face the deep-blue state’s Republican governor.

The race was called for Charlestin, an educator and first-generation Haitian American, who defeated computer scientist Peter Duvall on Tuesday.

The current governor, Republican Phil Scott, has served as governor for four terms and did not face a primary challenger.

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Charlestin was endorsed by former Democrat Gov. Howard Dean, Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman and Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak.

Duval, a former Underhill Selectboard member, stated on his website leading up to the election, “I am going to lose this election,” but he said a vote for him would help elevate environmental issues in state politics. He also encouraged Republicans and progressives to write in his name in their party primaries.

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The University of Vermont in Burlington (iStock)

Despite being a Republican governor in a heavily Democrat state, Scott remains a popular figure. He received 69% of the vote in the 2022 general election.

Scott has been a critic of Republican Donald Trump and endorsed former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley for president. He said he was one of the 66% of Vermont voters who cast their ballots for Democrat Joe Biden in 2020.

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Vermont Gov. Phil Scott (Glenn Russell/VTDigger via AP/Pool/File)

The Associated Press contributed to this report.