Vermont says the governor's election could be decided by the legislature

MONTPELIER, Vt. (WCAX) – The race for Vermont's lieutenant governor remains open. With all votes counted, Republican John Rodgers led David Zuckerman by about two percentage points – 48.7% to 47%, a margin of 6,018 votes.

“He hasn't conceded a goal at this stage but we have a comfortable lead which we're happy with,” said John Rodgers.

But with none of the candidates having reached the 50 percent threshold – and no concession has yet been made – Rodgers expects the decision to go to parliament to confirm his victory.

Zuckerman did not respond to questions Wednesday about whether he plans to concede. “The Constitution provides a process for figuring out what happens next. I have other considerations – are you doing a recount? It's really too early for me to just say he won, but there's no doubt he has more votes at this point,” Zuckerman told WCAX. In a statement on social media, he added that he would continue to fight for his values ​​and thanked his supporters, saying: “Together we will never give up.”

With Zuckerman only two percentage points away from Rodgers, he can request a recount or rely on the Legislature. Meanwhile, Rodgers reflects on his apparent victory. “It's very rewarding. We knew it was an uphill battle – it's always about an incumbent – but we think our message was well received as we traveled around the state and had the opportunity to talk to people, and I think if we “Because we had more time to talk to more people, maybe we could have increased the scope,” Rodgers said.

Rodgers had the support of Gov. Phil Scott and he says the results of this election show that Vermonters are tired of high prices and rising taxes and are ready for something different.

The last time a legislative election was held was the 2014 gubernatorial race, when Peter Shumlin ended election night with a 2,400-vote lead over Scott Milne. Milne refused to concede, but lawmakers acknowledged the voters' wishes and affirmed Shumlin's victory by a vote of 110 to 69.

Lawmakers have overturned the will of voters a few times over the years. The last time, according to the gubernatorial election, was in 1976. After all ballots were counted, Democrat John Alden led Republican T. Gary Buckley by 1,100 votes. But Alden was under investigation for fraud at the time, and the Republican-controlled Legislature narrowly voted to appoint Buckley to the governor's office.

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