Vermont Republican Gov. Phil Scott Breaks with Party, Votes for Kamala Harris in 2024 Presidential Election

Vermont Republican Governor Phil Scott has made headlines once again by breaking with his party and voting for a Democratic candidate in the 2024 presidential election. On November 5, 2024, Scott revealed that he cast his ballot for Vice President Kamala Harris at the town office in Berlin, Vermont.

Scott explained his decision by stating that he had to put the country over his party affiliation. He mentioned that he did extensive soul-searching and considered what would benefit Vermont and the country as a whole. This decision aligns with his previous actions; in the 2016 presidential election, Scott wrote in Jim Douglas, the former Republican governor of Vermont, and in 2020, he voted for Joe Biden, making national headlines at the time.

Scott has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with Donald Trump, stating that Trump is “no one less equipped, no one more incapable of healing the huge divide we have in this country” and that Trump has “made a career of throwing fuel on the fire of hate and anger.” Despite his earlier support for former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley during the primary season, Scott ultimately decided to vote for Harris once she became the nominee.

Vermont, known for its strong Democratic lean, is expected to continue its trend of voting Democratic in the presidential election. The state has voted Democratic in every presidential election since 1992, and this year is unlikely to be an exception.

In other Vermont election news, Republican Gov. Phil Scott is expected to win a fifth term as governor, despite the state’s Democratic lean. Independent Bernie Sanders is also expected to secure a fourth term in the U.S. Senate.