Vermont gubernatorial election, 2000

Vermont gubernatorial election, 2000

November 7, 2000

Nominee Howard Dean Ruth Dwyer Anthony Pollina Party Democratic Republican VT Progressive Popular vote 148,059 111,359 28,116 Percentage 50.45% 37.95% 9.58%

Governor before election Howard Dean Democratic Elected Governor Howard Dean Democratic

The 2000 Vermont gubernatorial election took place on November 7, 2000. Incumbent Governor Howard Dean won re-election. The campaign was dominated by the fallout from the passage of a civil union bill and the subsequent backlash encapsulated by the slogan Take Back Vermont. Ruth Dwyer, the Republican nominee, was closely tied to the Take Back Vermont movement which Howard Dean, the Democratic governor, opposed.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Howard Dean, incumbent Governor of Vermont
• Brian Pearl

Results

Democratic Primary results
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Howard Dean (inc.)	31,366	84.39
	Democratic	Brian Pearl	4,357	11.72
	Democratic	Write-ins	1,446	3.89
Total votes			37,169	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Ruth Dwyer, former Vermont State Representative and 1998 Republican nominee for Governor
• William Meub, attorney

Results

Republican primary results
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Ruth Dwyer	46,611	57.85
	Republican	William Meub	33,105	41.09
	Republican	Write-ins	855	1.06
Total votes			80,571	100.00

General election

Results

Vermont gubernatorial election, 2000

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Howard Dean (inc.)	148,059	50.45%	-5.22%
	Republican	Ruth Dwyer	111,359	37.95%	-3.19%
	VT Progressive	Anthony Pollina	28,116	9.58%
	Independent	Phil Stannard, Sr.	2,148	0.73%
	Grassroots	Joel W. Williams	1,359	0.46%	-1.05%
	Independent	Marilyn Verna Christian	1,054	0.36%
	Libertarian	Hardy Macia	785	0.27%	-0.71%
	Liberty Union	Richard F. Gottlieb	337	0.11%	-0.42%
	Write-ins		256	0.09%
Majority			36,700	12.51%	-2.03%
Turnout			293,473
	Democratic hold		Swing