1988 United States House of Representatives election in Vermont explained

Election Name:1988 United States House of Representatives election in Vermont
Type:presidential
Country:Vermont
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1986 United States House of Representatives election in Vermont
Previous Year:1986
Next Election:1990 United States House of Representatives election in Vermont
Next Year:1990
Election Date:November 8, 1988
Image1:File:Peter Plympton Smith.jpg
Nominee1:Peter Plympton Smith
Party1:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote1:98,937
Percentage1:41.20%
Nominee2:Bernie Sanders
Party2:Independent (politician)
Popular Vote2:90,026
Percentage2:37.49%
Image3:File:3x4.svg
Nominee3:Paul N. Poirier
Party3:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote3:45,330
Percentage3:18.88%
Representative
Before Election:Jim Jeffords
Before Party:Republican Party (United States)
After Election:Peter Plympton Smith
After Party:Republican Party (United States)

The 1988 United States House of Representatives election in Vermont was held on November 8, 1988. Republican nominee Peter Plympton Smith defeated Independent candidate Bernie Sanders and Democratic nominee Paul N. Poirier.

Incumbent Republican Representative Jim Jeffords chose to run for a seat in the United States Senate instead of seeking reelection to the United States House of Representatives. Former Lieutenant Governor Peter Plympton Smith won the Republican nomination against David Gates. State Representative Paul N. Poirier won the Democratic nomination against Peter Welch, James A. Guest and Dolores Sandoval. Sanders, the Mayor of Burlington, ran as an Independent candidate.

This is the most recent election in which a Republican was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives from Vermont's at-large congressional district.

Background

From 1854 to 1958, the Vermont Republican Party won every statewide election in Vermont. William H. Meyer became the first member of the Democratic Party to win a statewide election in Vermont since 1853, when he won election to the United States House of Representatives from Vermont's at-large congressional district in the 1958 election.[1]

Jim Jeffords, a member of the Republican Party, was elected from Vermont's at-large district in the 1974 election and served for fourteen years.[2] [3] In the 1986 election he faced no Democratic opponent and won with 89.12% of the popular vote against three other candidates.[4]

Republican primary

Candidates

Declined

Campaign

Senator Robert Stafford, who had been appointed to the United States Senate in 1971, announced on April 10, 1987, that he would not seek reelection in the 1988 election.[5] Representative Jeffords announced that he would seek the Republican nomination to succeed Stafford in the United States Senate instead of seeking reelection to the United States House of Representatives.[6]

Dennis Delaney, a member of the Vermont Senate, considered running in a congressional, gubernatorial, or lieutenant gubernatorial election.

Smith had run in the 1986 gubernatorial election with the Republican nomination, but placed second to Democratic Governor Madeleine Kunin in the popular vote and in the Vermont General Assembly vote as no candidate had received more than 50% of the popular vote.[7] [8] David Dillon served as Smith's campaign manager.

Smith defeated Gates in the primary with 77.60% of the popular vote.[9]

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Campaign

On April 8, 1987, Paul N. Poirier, the Majority Leader of the Vermont House of Representatives, announced that he would seek the Democratic nomination for congressional election.[10] [11]

Results

Poirier defeated Welch, Guest, and Sandoval in the primary with 41.27% of the popular vote.[12]

Minor parties and other candidates

Bernie Sanders

Bernie Sanders won election as Mayor of Burlington, Vermont, in the 1981 mayoral election as an independent and won reelection in the 1983, 1985, and 1987 elections.[13] [14] [15] [16] Sanders had run for governor in the 1986 election and had received 14.45% of the popular vote in the election and support from one member of the state legislature. During the 1987 campaign Sanders stated that he would not seek reelection in 1989, stating that "eight years is enough and I think it is time for new leadership, which does exist within the coalition, to come up".[17] Sanders announced on March 10, 1988, that he would run in the election as an independent candidate.[18] Terry Bouricius served as Sanders' campaign treasurer.[19] During the campaign he received the support of the Rainbow Coalition.[20]

Other parties

Jim Hedbor announced that he would run in the election with the Libertarian nomination on February 25, 1988, at a press conference in Montpelier, Vermont.[21] Hedbor won the Libertarian primary without opposition.[22]

Peter Diamondstone, who had unsuccessfully ran for a seat in the United States House of Representatives five times, announced on June 3, 1988, that he would run in the election with the nomination of the Liberty Union Party.[23] Diamondstone faced no opposition in the party's primary.[24] Diamondstone also sought the position of Vermont Attorney General during the 1988 election. During the campaign he accused his opponents of excluding the candidates of smaller parties from debates and forums.[25]

Morris Earle, who had unsuccessfully ran in five elections including for Vermont's at-large congressional district in 1986, announced that he would run and appeared on the Small Is Beautiful ballot line.[26]

General election

Campaign

Three debates was held during the campaign which were attended by all of the candidates.[27] [28] [29] [30] Two candidates forums were held with one on foreign policy and the other on elderly issues.[31] [32] Smith accused Poirier of conducting a negative campaign while Poirier questioned Smith's statements that he had founded and served as president of the Community College of Vermont.[33]

A straw poll of the six candidates was conducted during one of the debates in which they were asked who they would support if they were not on the ballot. Smith and Earle stated that they would support Poirier, Sanders stated that he would support Earle, Poirier stated that he would support Sanders, and Diamondstone refused to vote.[34]

Smith won in the general election with 41.20% of the popular vote against Sanders' 37.49% and Poirier's 18.88%.[35] [36] Smith won the popular vote in eight counties while Sanders won the popular vote in five counties.[37] Smith's victory was the last time that a member of the Republican Party was elected to the United States House of Representatives from Vermont.[38]

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)Sample sizeMargin of ErrorSmithSandersPoirierHedborDiamondstoneEarleUndecided
Terry Bouricius (internal Sanders poll)[39] April 11–12, 1988424 voters± 5%32%30%7%2%N/AN/A29%
Rutland Herald
Barre Montpelier Times Argus
University of Vermont[40]
October 6–9, 1988502 registered voters± 4.5%40%25%17%0%0%0%16%

Results by county

CountyPeter Plympton SmithVotesBernie SandersVotesPaul N. PoirierVotesJim HedborVotesPeter DiamondstoneVotesMorris EarleVotesScatteringVotesTotal
RepublicanIndependentDemocratic Libertarian Liberty UnionSmall is BeautifulWrite-in
39.53%5,43044.33%6,08912.57%1,7261.53%2100.39%531.63%2240.02%313,735
48.33%7,34121.89%3,32526.78%4,0670.74%1131.35%2050.87%1320.03%515,188
49.96%5,55235.95%3,99612.37%1,3751.01%1120.49%551.01%1120.04%511,114
38.09%21,67542.12%23,96817.61%10,0231.60%9080.39%1510.27%1140.12%6756,906
54.59%1,27223.86%55619.66%4580.47%110.69%160.73%170.00%02,330
34.90%5,14039.53%5,82323.45%3,4541.61%2370.29%430.17%250.05%714,729
37.91%1,09438.57%1,11317.12%4946.03%1740.10%30.28%80.00%02,886
42.78%3,45643.69%3,52911.09%8961.63%1320.41%330.40%320.00%08,078
42.97%4,77638.20%4,24616.72%1,8581.44%1600.34%380.30%330.03%311,114
42.29%4,02638.90%3,70316.65%1,5851.27%1210.57%540.27%260.05%59,520
41.99%10,83840.35%10,41515.35%3,9611.30%3360.49%1270.42%1090.09%2425,810
38.31%9,97236.51%9,50323.44%6,1011.11%2890.34%880.27%690.03%826,030
42.83%7,78228.58%5,19324.87%4,5190.51%932.47%4480.68%1240.06%1118,170
43.29%10,58335.05%8,56719.69%4,8130.87%2130.58%1410.44%1080.08%1924,444
Total 41.20%98,93737.49%90,02618.88%45,3301.29%3,1090.61%1,4550.47%1,1330.07%157240,147

Results by municipality

MunicipalityPeter Plympton SmithVotesBernie SandersVotesPaul N. PoirierVotesJim HedborVotesPeter DiamondstoneVotesMorris EarleVotesScatteringVotesTotalReference
RepublicanIndependentDemocratic Libertarian Liberty UnionSmall is BeautifulWrite-in
56.94%28730.16%1527.14%364.17%210.20%11.39%70.00%0504
42.31%14343.20%14611.24%382.37%80.30%10.59%20.00%0338

Notes and References

  1. News: July 2, 2003 . Green Old Party . . live . https://archive.today/20210608124032/https://m.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/green-old-party/Content?oid=2127705 . June 8, 2021 . June 14, 2021 .
  2. News: November 4, 1974 . 1974 election results . 38 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210224043229/https://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1974election.pdf . February 24, 2021.
  3. News: August 18, 2014 . Jim Jeffords, Who Altered Power in Senate, Dies at 80 . . live . https://archive.today/20210614061634/https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/19/us/jim-jeffords-who-altered-power-in-senate-dies-at-80.html . June 14, 2021 . June 14, 2021 .
  4. News: November 4, 1986 . 1986 election results . 40 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210410192333/https://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1986election.pdf . April 10, 2021.
  5. News: April 11, 1987 . Stafford will not seek re-election . 1 . . live . https://archive.today/20210614122214/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79540295/the-brattleboro-reformer/ . June 14, 2021 . . June 14, 2021 .
  6. News: April 23, 1987 . Jeffords takes aim at vacant Senate seat . 1 . . live . https://archive.today/20210614122803/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79540453/the-brattleboro-reformer/ . June 14, 2021 . . June 14, 2021 .
  7. News: 1986 Governor General Election . . live . https://archive.today/20210620165458/https://electionarchive.vermont.gov/elections/view/76001/ . June 20, 2021 . June 20, 2021 .
  8. News: January 9, 1987 . Kunin's Legislative Election First in 74 Years . 15 . . live . https://archive.today/20210620165237/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79919043/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 20, 2021 . . June 20, 2021 .
  9. News: 1988 Republican primary . . live . https://archive.today/20210614123357/https://electionarchive.vermont.gov/elections/view/75823/ . June 14, 2021 . June 14, 2021 .
  10. News: April 9, 1987 . Rep. Poirier Says He'll Run for U.S. House . 19 . . live . https://archive.today/20210614124758/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79540780/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 14, 2021 . . June 14, 2021 .
  11. News: April 9, 1987 . Rep. Poirer to run for U.S. House . 14 . . live . https://archive.today/20210614130117/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79540864/bennington-banner/ . June 14, 2021 . . June 14, 2021 .
  12. News: 1988 Democratic primary . . live . https://archive.today/20210614125616/https://electionarchive.vermont.gov/elections/view/75796/ . June 14, 2021 . June 14, 2021 .
  13. News: March 14, 1981 . Recount Puts Sanders Up By 10 Votes . 4 . . live . https://archive.today/20210607200326/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79135684/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 7, 2021 . . June 14, 2021 .
  14. News: March 2, 1983 . 1983 election results . 17 . . live . https://archive.today/20200807185644/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56886460/the-burlington-free-press/ . August 7, 2020 . Newspapers.com.
  15. News: March 6, 1985 . City Elections At-a-glance . 2 . . live . https://archive.today/20201205190233/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64665647/the-burlington-free-press/ . December 5, 2020 . . June 14, 2021 .
  16. News: March 4, 1985 . 1987 election results . 11 . . live . https://archive.today/20201205223507/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64684487/the-burlington-free-press/ . December 5, 2020 . . June 14, 2021 .
  17. News: December 7, 1986 . Sanders Proclaims '87 Race Will Be His Last Mayoral Bid . 21 . . live . https://archive.today/20210609183952/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64868171/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 9, 2021 . . June 14, 2021 .
  18. News: March 11, 1988 . Bernie Sanders to run for congressional seat . 1 . . live . https://archive.today/20210620163527/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79918346/the-brattleboro-reformer/ . June 20, 2021 . . June 20, 2021 .
  19. News: September 19, 1989 . Progressives criticize plan for aid to Nicaraguan opposition . 14 . . live . https://archive.today/20210619212839/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79875562/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 19, 2021 . . June 20, 2021 .
  20. News: July 14, 1988 . Rainbow Coalition backs Sanders . 6 . . live . https://archive.today/20210614133245/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79542113/bennington-banner/ . June 14, 2021 . . June 14, 2021 .
  21. News: February 26, 1988 . Libertarian . 1 . . live . https://archive.today/20210620174931/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79544688/the-brattleboro-reformer/ . June 20, 2021 . . June 14, 2021 .
  22. News: 1988 Libertarian primary . 9 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210614131927/https://electionarchive.vermont.gov/data/serve_file_pages_for_item/75820/Election/ . June 14, 2021.
  23. News: June 4, 1988 . Sixth Bid From Diamonstone . 1 . . live . https://archive.today/20210614132605/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79541998/rutland-daily-herald/ . June 14, 2021 . . June 14, 2021 .
  24. News: 1988 Liberty Union primary . 9 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210614131623/https://electionarchive.vermont.gov/data/serve_file_pages_for_item/75813/Election/ . June 14, 2021.
  25. News: August 31, 1988 . Small parties are left out, Liberty candidate says . 22 . . live . https://archive.today/20210620175218/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79542579/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 20, 2021 . . June 14, 2021 .
  26. News: October 10, 1987 . Earle seeks House seat . 15 . . live . https://archive.today/20210620180227/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79544411/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 20, 2021 . . June 14, 2021 .
  27. News: September 29, 1988 . Candidates attack ads and issues . 1 . . live . https://archive.today/20210620180359/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79542787/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 20, 2021 . . June 14, 2021 .
  28. News: September 29, 1988 . Candidates for U.S. House hold first debate . 2 . . live . https://archive.today/20210620180544/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79542816/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 20, 2021 . . June 14, 2021 .
  29. News: October 9, 1988 . How Media Treat Fringe Candidates . 18 . . live . https://archive.today/20210620180834/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79543411/rutland-daily-herald/ . June 20, 2021 . . June 14, 2021 .
  30. News: October 21, 1988 . Manchester candidate returns campaign contribution . 11 . . live . https://archive.today/20210620181034/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79543564/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 20, 2021 . . June 14, 2021 .
  31. News: October 13, 1988 . Candidates forum set in Weston . 10 . . live . https://archive.today/20210620181313/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79543474/the-brattleboro-reformer/ . June 20, 2021 . . June 14, 2021 .
  32. News: October 18, 1988 . State house Candidates Forum to discuss issues on elderly . 5 . . live . https://archive.today/20210620181524/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79543651/bennington-banner/ . June 20, 2021 . . June 14, 2021 .
  33. News: September 27, 1988 . Smith knocks Poirier on 'negative' campaigning . 1 . . live . https://archive.today/20210620181815/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79542953/the-brattleboro-reformer/ . June 20, 2021 . . June 14, 2021 .
  34. News: October 23, 1988 . Poirier wins grudging nod from candidates . 11 . . live . https://archive.today/20210620182034/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79543741/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 20, 2021 . . June 14, 2021 .
  35. News: November 8, 1988 . 1988 election results . 50 . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210214002411/https://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/1988election.pdf . February 14, 2021.
  36. News: 1988 election results by municipality . . live . https://archive.today/20210614152110/https://electionarchive.vermont.gov/elections/view/75810/ . June 14, 2021 . June 14, 2021 .
  37. News: November 8, 1988 . Detailed 1988 election results . . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20210614064412/https://electionarchive.vermont.gov/data/serve_file_pages_for_item/75810/Election/ . June 14, 2021.
  38. News: December 8, 2019 . Last Republican . A7 . . live . https://archive.today/20210618152405/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79792198/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 18, 2021 . . June 18, 2021 .
  39. News: April 22, 1988 . Sanders' Poll Puts Him Close Second . 11 . . live . https://archive.today/20210619212122/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79875097/rutland-daily-herald/ . June 19, 2021 . . June 19, 2021 .
  40. News: October 17, 1988 . Poll: Smith, Kunin, Jeffords lead . 1 . . live . https://archive.today/20210612021225/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79406056/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 12, 2021 . . June 14, 2021 .