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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Two Democrats, Peter Duval, left, and Esther Charlestin, right, are vying to run against Vermont GOP Gov. Phil Scott, center. (Fox News)
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.
