MONTPELIER, Vt. — Republican Gov. Phil Scott is running for reelection to a fifth two-year term in the largely blue state of Vermont.“During my four terms as Governor, my team and I have worked to grow the economy, make Vermont more affordable, and protect the most vulnerable,” he said in a statement. “I’ve done my best to rise above partisanship to solve problems, and help people.”
While progress has been made, he said he cannot step away when the Democrat-controlled Legislature is “so far out of balance.” Scott and the legislature have clashed over spending and taxes and he’s vetoed a number of its bills in recent years and is expected to veto more. A Republican who combines fiscal conservatism with social liberalism, Scott was a frequent critic of former President Donald Trump and voted for Joe Biden in the 2020 election. He won praise for leading Vermont through the COVID-19 pandemic.
In his reelection campaign message, he urged supporters to elect more legislators who will work with him.Suspect in fire outside of US Sen. Bernie Sanders’ Vermont office to remain detained, judge saysWhen Scott first became a state senator more than 23 years ago, Sen. Dick Mazza, a Democrat, took him under his wing and became his mentor, he said in his campaign message.