The 2024 Vermont lieutenant gubernatorial election was held on November 5, 2024. Republican former state Senator John Rodgers defeated incumbent Progressive Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman who was running for re-election to a fourth non-consecutive term in office.
The election was held concurrently with the 2024 U.S. presidential election, as well as elections to the United States Senate and elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections. Primary elections took place on August 13, 2024.
Zuckerman conceded to Rodgers on November 7, but suggested that the legislature could still elect him as the Constitution of Vermont allows lawmakers to vote to install any of the top three vote-getters in an election when no candidate reaches 50 percent of the vote. On January 9, 2025, the Vermont General Assembly elected Rodgers by a vote of 158 to 18. This marked the first time since 2008 that Vermont had a Governor and Lieutenant Governor of the same party. Additionally, for the first time since 1815, a lieutenant governor lost re-election. The election was considered a massive upset.
Progressive primary
Candidates
Withdrew after nomination
- Zoraya Hightower, former Burlington city councilor
Replacement nominee
- David Zuckerman, incumbent lieutenant governor (2017–2021, 2023–2025)
Democratic primary
Candidates
Nominee
- David Zuckerman, lieutenant governor (2017–2021, 2023–2025)
Eliminated in primary
- Thomas Renner, deputy mayor of Winooski
Endorsements
David Zuckerman
Campaign
Renner largely avoided criticizing Zuckerman, instead pointing to the representation he would bring to the role as a black gay man. Renner also promised not to "switch parties or add other party affiliations after the primary," which VTDigger interpreted as a dig against Zuckerman's membership in the Vermont Progressive Party. Renner described himself as "progressive, with a small 'p'." Zuckerman ran on his experience, pointing to the many years he served in the state legislature before his election as lieutenant governor.
Zuckerman outraised Renner significantly, taking in over $111,000 compared to roughly $43,000 for Renner. VTDigger pointed out that more than a third of Renner's fundraising came from wealthy Republicans; Renner claimed that these donations were unsolicited and came as a surprise to him.
Republican primary
Candidates
Nominee
- John Rodgers, former Democratic state senator (2013–2021)
Eliminated in primary
- Gregory Thayer, former Rutland city councilor and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2022
Campaign
Rodgers campaigned as a moderate, saying he does not plan to vote for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. Thayer positioned himself as the more conservative candidate, calling himself "the only Republican in this race."
General election
Candidates
- Ian Diamondstone, trade consultant (Green Mountain Peace and Justice)
- John Rodgers, former Democratic state senator (2013–2021) (Republican)
- David Zuckerman, lieutenant governor (2017–2021, 2023–2025) (Progressive, Democratic)
Results
On November 5, Rodgers received a plurality of the vote over Zuckerman.
By county
Counties that flipped from Democratic to Republican
- Lamoille (largest municipality: Morristown)
- Orange (largest city: Randolph)
- Washington (largest municipality: Barre)
Contingent election
Because the Constitution of Vermont requires a majority vote for election as lieutenant governor, the Vermont General Assembly voted on January 9, 2025, to determine the winner. Although the General Assembly had voted to ratify the winner of the popular vote since 1976, Diamondstone urged the General Assembly to elect Zuckerman on the grounds that a majority of voters supported the two left-of-center candidates in the race. Zuckerman conceded the popular election on November 7, 2024, but expressed agreement with Diamondstone's argument and said he would "point out those facts" to the legislators, though he said he would not make a "strong effort" on his own behalf and "[didn't] think [the Assembly was] going to decide to do that". The Green Mountain Peace and Justice Party called on the legislature to elect Zuckerman. Ultimately, the legislature chose to elect Rodgers despite these calls.