The cost of living, housing, healthcare and the race for governor were on the minds of Vermont voters in the Upper Valley as they went to the polls Tuesday.
Some crossed party lines in the race between Republican Gov. Phil Scott and Democrat Amanda Janoo.
“I’m a registered Democrat, but I voted for a Republican for governor,” said Karen Carter, 77, of Hartford.
Scott’s supporters pointed to his record of working with Democrats, while Janoo’s said it was time for a change. Voters also weighed two proposed amendments to the Vermont Constitution, on collective bargaining and equal rights.
Norwich: ‘Without compromise, democracy dies’
For Lilly Harris, 18, housing and affordability were top of mind as she went to the polls at Norwich Town Hall. Candidates most vocal about those issues garnered her support.
Harris said Janoo earned her support in the race for governor, despite being a newcomer.
“I’m feeling hopeful about it,” Harris said of Janoo’s chances.
She said she voted yes on Proposals 3 and 4, the constitutional amendments covering labor rights and collective bargaining, and equal rights protections, respectively.
Others noted Scott’s positive track record.
Justin Anderson, 56, said that Vermonters are lucky to have two good candidates on the ticket for governor. While Anderson declined to share how he voted, he said that Scott has demonstrated his ability to lead the state over the years.
“It takes a special kind of Republican to succeed in a blue state,” said Anderson, who added that “without compromise, democracy dies.”
Patrick Wheeler, a 47-year-old Democrat, said he’s been happy to have a governor like Scott, who earned his vote on Tuesday.
Wheeler said he does not support Scott’s stance on every issue, but that “you don’t have to to support a candidate,” so long as values align.
Thetford: ‘Balance in our political system’
At the polls in Thetford on Tuesday, Rich Landry, 61, an independent, said he voted for Republican Gov. Phil Scott but wants Democrats to take back Congress.
“I want to see the House and the Senate go back to the Democrats this year, just so that there’s a check and balance on the presidential side,” Landry said.
Landry said he has voted for Scott every time, and for U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, too.
“So it’s just balance in our political system,” he said.
“That’s when we get the most work done, and that’s when we get the best work done, I think.”
“Here in town, you might disagree with your neighbor, but if they need a hand, you help them out,” Landry said. “But you also mind your own business.”
Richard Biddle, 75, who said he usually votes Democratic, named climate change as his top issue, saying it will make life less affordable for everyone.
Biddle said he voted for Democrat Amanda Janoo for governor.
“I think Scott did an admirable job during the pandemic,” he said. “I hope Amanda can work better with the Legislature to find workable solutions to our problems.”
He said he had hoped to find more Republican candidates he could support.
“We need two parties, and we need them to work together,” Biddle said.
Anna Valentine, 26, said schools and gun control were on her mind.
“I care a lot about the school systems in Vermont. I went to high school in Vermont, and I don’t really like that they’ve consolidated a lot of school networks,” Valentine said.
“I care about gun control in Vermont. That was one thing that kind of made me more interested in voting for Janoo.”
Valentine said she voted yes on both proposed amendments to the Vermont Constitution.
“The right to collective bargaining is definitely important to me,” she said.
She said she is part of the Dartmouth graduate student union.
“Even though they’re over in New Hampshire, that really changed my life in a lot of ways,” Valentine said.
Hartford: ‘Absolutely crazy the healthcare cost’
At Hartford High School, Linda Mayo, an independent, said she came out “to vote for Governor Scott and to keep the great work in Vermont going.”
“I’m always open to change. I really am,” Mayo said.
“But I think one of the beautiful things about Governor Scott is that he’s been able to find bipartisan, like he’s found a common road. He never speaks ill.”
She said he is “finding a way for people to harmonize and to find harmony, and I don’t want to break that.”
Mayo said healthcare is the issue the state needs to take on.
“I think universal healthcare is something we have to look at in our future because it’s out of whack for what people can afford,” she said.
“It’s absolutely crazy the healthcare cost.”
Rose Huntly, 65, a Republican, said what is happening in schools was her main concern.
“Transgender stuff going on in our schools. It doesn’t belong,” she said.
“I’m not saying I’m not against people wanting to change their sex, but if they’re going to do it, they should be over 18 years of age. If they can have that in the school, why can’t they have a Bible in the school?”
She added, “I’m a Christian as well as a Republican.”
David Binkley, a Democrat, said he has nothing against Scott, whom he called “a good, like, Republican-light governor,” but that he thinks it is time for someone new.
“I think we do have problems, especially with homelessness and affordability of the housing and taxes, and it’s becoming really expensive to live here,” Binkley said.
“He’s been governor, and he’s making the same promises that he’s not delivering on. So maybe somebody else can do a better job.”
Connie Lee, 47, a Democrat who immigrated from Korea 40 years ago, said the country has changed since she arrived.
“This is not the country I remember coming to 40 years ago. It’s less welcoming, less understanding,” Lee said.
Woodstock: ‘Healthcare and property taxes are all tied together’
At Woodstock Town Hall, John King, 63, a Democrat, said he is “becoming more progressive,” and that he voted for Janoo after voting for Scott in the past.
“More so than ever because of what we’re going through in terms of healthcare,” King said.
“Healthcare and property taxes are all tied together.”
“It’s a challenging time to live in Vermont right now,” King said.
He said second-home owners are a big obstacle to affordable housing.
“They’re creating the situation where no one can afford a house,” he said.
Marci Diamond, 57, who said she considers herself an independent, said she voted Democratic up and down the ballot this year.
“I think it’s really important to have checks and balances in government, and right now there are none,” Diamond said.
She said she doesn’t see Scott as that check, and pointed to his veto of an AI data center bill.
Diamond, a member of New England SAG-AFTRA and a delegate to the Vermont AFL-CIO convention, said she was most excited about Proposal 3.
“As a union member, I’m super excited about seeing Prop 3 pass and making sure that all workers in Vermont have the right to organize,” she said.
“It’s a human right that we have workers’ rights.”
Zayne Adams said he isn’t affiliated with a party and voted for “anything that went against the normal status quo.”
Of the two proposed amendments, he said, “The fact that it’s brought up, I feel like, is still a reminder of the dark ages.”
Fairlee: ‘Food prices. Gas prices. Housing.’
In Fairlee, Martha Vetal, 88, and Kostas Amanatidis, 75, both independents, said they voted for Scott.
“Food prices. Gas prices. Housing,” Vetal said of her top issues. “That’s about the top three, I think.”
“He’s done a lot for the state over the years,” she said of Scott.
Amanatidis said he voted no on both proposed amendments, while Vetal voted yes.
“I don’t think the state has to get involved with the business,” Amanatidis said. “Politics don’t belong in business.”
Clement Powers, 55, a Democrat who serves on the Rivendell Interstate School District board, said cost of living and healthcare were on his mind, and that he voted for Scott.
“I’ve been very happy with what he’s been up to,” Powers said.
“I think he needs to finish what he started with the whole education reform. I know it’s a hard task, but it’s something that we need to accomplish.”
Bradford: ‘Price of everything’
In Bradford, Joseph Sampson, 59, who works in property maintenance, said the cost of living was his top issue.
“I guess price of everything. You know, I think everybody’s got the same problems,” Sampson said.
Sampson, who isn’t registered with a party, said he votes straight Republican and voted for Scott.
“I’m an old Vermonter. All Vermonters were Republicans years ago,” he said.
“I think he’s done a good job compromising and working with them, and I think he’ll keep up the good work,” Sampson said of Scott and Democrats.
