Vermont gubernatorial election, 2004

Vermont gubernatorial election, 2004

November 2, 2004

125px Candidate Jim Douglas Peter Clavelle Party Republican Democratic Popular vote 181,540 117,327 Percentage 58.7% 37.9%

Governor before election Jim Douglas Republican Elected Governor Jim Douglas Republican

The 2004 Vermont gubernatorial election took place on 2 November 2004 for the post of Governor of Vermont. Incumbent Republican Governor Jim Douglas was re-elected defeating Democratic Mayor of Burlington Peter Clavelle.

Democratic primary

Candidates

• Peter Clavelle, Mayor of Burlington

Results

Democratic primary results
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Peter Clavelle	23,218	94.65
	Democratic	Write-ins	1,313	5.35
Total votes			24,531	100.00

Republican primary

Candidates

• Jim Douglas, incumbent Governor of Vermont

Results

Republican primary results
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Jim Douglas (inc.)	15,806	98.74
	Republican	Write-ins	202	1.26
Total votes			16,008	100.00

General election

Campaign

Clavelle attempted to link Douglas and President George W. Bush with bumper stickers saying "Jim = George". Douglas countered this by a willingness to criticise the national Republican party, such as over the Bush administration's environmental policies.

The two main candidates faced each other in 18 debates during the campaign.

Election results

Vermont gubernatorial election, 2004

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Jim Douglas (inc.)	181,540	58.70%	+13.76%
	Democratic	Peter Clavelle	117,327	37.93%	-4.45%
	Marijuana	Cris Ericson	4,221	1.36%	+0.61%
	Independent	Patricia Hejny	2,431	0.79%
	Libertarian	Hardy Machia	2,263	0.73%	+0.32%
	Liberty Union	Peter Diamondstone	1,298	0.42%	+0.15%
	Write-ins		205	0.07%
Majority			64,213	20.76%	+18.21%
Turnout			309,285
	Republican hold		Swing