Phil Scott wins sixth term as Vermont governor despite strong challenge from Amanda Janoo
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- Created on Wednesday, 04 November 2026 08:50
- Written by Eric Agnero
BURLINGTON, Vt. — Republican Governor Phil Scott has won a sixth two-year term, defeating Democratic challenger Amanda Janoo after one of the most competitive reelection campaigns of his political career.
The victory came despite a final University of New Hampshire poll that placed Janoo eight percentage points ahead of the incumbent.
Scott had pushed back against the polling, warning political pundits and the media not to write his political obituary too soon.
The outcome means Scott will remain in office as Vermont confronts rising living costs, healthcare expenses and ongoing debates over public education.
A campaign built around change
At Janoo's campaign headquarters in Burlington, supporters gathered on election night after months of campaigning for a change in leadership.
Janoo, a first-time gubernatorial candidate, challenged Scott's record on affordability, healthcare and education. Her campaign argued that Vermont needed a different approach to addressing the economic pressures facing residents.
Despite the defeat, the campaign mobilized volunteers and supporters around those issues.
In remarks to supporters, Janoo emphasized the relationships built during the campaign and the importance of collective action.
She said the campaign sought to give Vermonters a future worth building together.
Other Democratic victories
Although Democrats failed to win the governor's office, they had other reasons to celebrate.
U.S. Representative Becca Balint won a third term representing Vermont in Congress.
Speaking to supporters in Burlington, Balint pointed to an early Democratic gain in Guam, where unofficial results indicated a Democratic lead in the race for the territory's congressional delegate.
“We flipped Guam, ladies and gentlemen. It was Republican!” Balint told the crowd.
Guam's delegate does not have a vote on final legislation in the U.S. House and does not count toward the 218 voting seats needed for a majority.
Secretary of State reports heavy turnout
Vermont Secretary of State Sarah Copeland Hanzas also spoke at the Democratic election-night gathering.
Citing reports from town clerks across the state, she described busy polling places and strong voter participation.
Copeland Hanzas, who was also seeking reelection, oversees the state's election reporting system. Her office collects and publishes unofficial results from Vermont communities ahead of the formal certification process.
Peacham voters divided over Vermont's direction
Earlier on Election Day, voters in Peacham, a small town in Caledonia County, expressed different views about the governor's race.
Morgan Gold said he voted for Janoo because he wanted a different approach to Vermont's economic challenges.
“I'm ready to see something new,” Gold said.
Gold also argued that Vermont voters often make choices based on individual candidates rather than political party affiliation.
Business owner David Farnham offered a different perspective.
Farnham said affordability remained his biggest concern but defended Scott's record, noting the difficulties facing a Republican governor working with a Legislature dominated by Democrats.
“Scott has a tough place to be. He can only do what he can do,” Farnham said.
The interviews reflected differing priorities among voters: some seeking change in leadership, others emphasizing experience and the political constraints facing the governor.
Challenges remain after the election
Scott's reelection settles the question of who will lead Vermont for the next two years, but the issues that dominated the campaign remain unresolved.
Property taxes, healthcare costs, education funding and the broader cost of living will continue to shape debate in Montpelier.
For Scott, the sixth term brings another opportunity to address those challenges.
For Janoo and her supporters, the election ends a campaign that brought renewed attention to Vermont's affordability debate.
