1989 Burlington mayoral election explained

Election Name:1989 Burlington mayoral election
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1987 Burlington mayoral election
Previous Year:1987
Next Election:1991 Burlington mayoral election
Next Year:1991
Election Date:March 3, 1989
Nominee1:Peter Clavelle
Party1:Independent (United States)
Popular Vote1:5,917
Percentage1:53.76%
Nominee2:Nancy Chioffi
Party2:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:4,624
Percentage2:42.01%
Map Size:200px
Mayor of Burlington
Before Election:Bernie Sanders
Before Party:Independent politician
After Election:Peter Clavelle
After Party:Independent politician

The 1989 Burlington mayoral election was held on March 3, 1989. Incumbent Independent Mayor Bernie Sanders did not seek reelection to a fifth term. Peter Clavelle ran as an independent candidate, with the support of the Progressive Coalition, and defeated Democratic nominee Nancy Chioffi.

Chioffi, a member of the city council, defeated city councilor Bill Aswad and Rick Sharp for the Democratic nomination. Clavelle won the endorsement of the Progressive Coalition without opposition although city treasurer John Leopold and city councilor Terry Bouricius had considered running. The Republican Party did not run a candidate in the election and instead offered support for Chioffi. Sandra Baird ran with the Green Party nomination and Michael Hackett ran with the Tax Revolt nomination.

Background

Bernie Sanders won election as Mayor of Burlington, Vermont, in the 1981 mayoral election as an independent.[1] He won reelection in the 1983, 1985, and 1987 elections.[2] [3] [4] 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".[5]

During Sanders' mayoralty the composition of the thirteen-member city council changed from having ten Democratic members and three Republicans after the 1980 election to the pro-Sanders Progressive Coalition holding six of the seats after the 1987 election.[6] [7]

Campaign

Candidates

Democratic

Rick Sharp, who had previous run unsuccessful campaigns for city council and state senate, announced on November 21, 1988, that he would seek the Democratic nomination for mayor.[8] Bill Aswad, a member of the city council from the 4th district, announced on November 25, that he would seek the Democratic nomination. Nancy Chioffi, president of the city council, announced on December 1, that she would run for the Democratic nomination.[9] [10] Chioffi defeated Aswad and Sharp for the Democratic nomination by five votes at the caucus on January 11, 1989.[11]

Progressive Coalition

The Progressive Coalition would give its nomination to any non-Democratic or Republican endorsed candidate, even if they ran as an independent, their support if they received 66% of the vote at the coalition's caucus.[12] [13]

Jonathan Leopold, the city treasurer, Terry Bouricius, a member of the city council from the second district, and Peter Clavelle, the Community and Economic Development Director, were considered the most likely candidates for the coalition's nomination. Gene Bergman, the chair of the coalition, stated that he believed the choices at the caucus would be Leopold, Bouricius, and Clavelle.[14]

Clavelle announced on November 21, 1988, that he would seek the endorsement of the coalition for mayor and formally announced his campaign on November 29, as an independent candidate.[15] [16] [17] On December 5, Leopold announced that he would not run for mayor and chose to take a break from politics for family reason.[18] Bouricius offered his name for consideration, but did not actively campaign for the endorsement of the coalition.[19] Bouricius gave a speech at the caucus giving his support to Clavelle while Leopold refused to endorse any candidate in the election.[20] [21]

The coalition caucus, which had a keynote address from Sanders, was held on December 8. Clavelle won the endorsement of the coalition with a unanimous vote.[22] [23] Clavelle wrote a letter to Sanders on November 29, stating that if he won the endorsement of the coalition that he would resign as Community and Economic Development Director and after his victory he offered his resignation on December 22, which was effective on January 30, 1989.[24]

Republican

Margaret Green considered running for the Republican nomination for mayor.[25] Theodore Riehle, a Republican who had served as president of the city council, stated that Green would not run if Aswad won the Democratic nomination.[26] Riehle had considered running for mayor, but declined.[27] Green announced that she would not run after Chioffi won the Democratic nomination stating that she was "very happy with the selection" and offered to aid the Democratic campaign. The Republican caucus, which was attended by less than twenty-five people, did not select a mayoral candidate despite Chair Stephen Converse Brooks asking for mayoral nominations twice. Brooks blamed the lack of a candidate for the small attendance and stated that most Republicans would vote for Chioffi.[28]

Other

Ed Bickford, who had run in the 1987 mayoral election, announced on December 7, 1988, that he would run for mayor as an independent, but dropped out on January 22, 1989, and endorsed Clavelle stating that "I just feel that Peter Clavelle is more qualified for the job than I am".[29] [30] Sandra Baird announced on January 9, 1989, that she would run for mayor with the Green Party's nomination.[31] Michael Hackett, a teacher who had unsuccessfully run for United States Senate, mayor as the Neutral Party nominee in 1985, and school board, ran for mayor as the Tax Revolt candidate and called for a twenty percent decrease in property taxes.[32]

General election

Clavelle asked for Chioffi to agree to a campaign spending limit of $35,000 for each of their campaigns, but Chioffi refused. Clavelle also asked for Chioffi to not run any television ads, as Clavelle couldn't afford to air any ads on television and he wanted to prevent the campaign expenses from rising, which Chioffi agreed to. There were ten debates during the campaign.[33] [34] During the campaign Clavelle and Sanders accused Chioffi of conducting a negative campaign.[35] [36]

The Champlain Valley National Organization for Women was critical of Chioffi in their endorsement of Clavelle stating that her positions on the Equal Rights Amendment and gay rights were weak and that Chioffi was "a disappointment" according to Terry Ramsey, the president of the Champlain Valley National Organization for Women.[37] Sanders gave his endorsement to Clavelle.[38]

During the campaign Clavelle raised $27,322 and spent $24,287 with no debt remaining, Chioffi raised $20,529 and spent $19,171 with $4,600 in debt, Biard raised $1,744 and spent $906, and Hackett did not file a campaign finance form meaning that he raised less than $100 and he stated at a forum that he had raised $60 and given half of it to charity.[39]

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)Sample sizeMargin of ErrorClavelleChioffiBairdHackettUndecided
The Burlington Free Press[40] February 1989342 voters± 6.5%40.00%31.00%6.00%2.00%21%

Results

Results by ward

WardClavelleVotesChioffiVotesBairdVotesHackettVotesTotal votesVotes
Ward 157.28%82637.86%5464.51%650.35%5100.00%1,442
Ward 265.71%79928.04%3415.26%640.99%12100.00%1,216
Ward 366.78%1,01127.94%4234.43%670.86%13100.00%1,514
Ward 445.95%1,51551.14%1,6861.88%621.03%34100.00%3,297
Ward 548.22%97848.42%9822.47%500.89%18100.00%2,028
Ward 652.22%78842.81%6464.11%620.86%13100.00%1,509

Notes and References

  1. 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 10, 2021 .
  2. News: March 2, 1983 . 1983 election results . 17 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20200807185644/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56886460/the-burlington-free-press/ . August 7, 2020 . Newspapers.com.
  3. News: March 6, 1985 . City Elections At-a-glance . 2 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20201205190233/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64665647/the-burlington-free-press/ . December 5, 2020 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  4. News: March 4, 1985 . 1987 election results . 11 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20201205223507/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64684487/the-burlington-free-press/ . December 5, 2020 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  5. News: December 7, 1986 . Sanders Proclaims '87 Race Will Be His Last Mayoral Bid . 21 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210609183952/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64868171/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 9, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  6. News: March 5, 1980 . Sweeny Is Tops in Race In North End . 8 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210609173257/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79250783/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 9, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  7. News: March 4, 1987 . Sanders Supporters Hold Six Board Seats . 8 . . live . https://archive.today/20210609184255/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64888806/rutland-daily-herald/ . June 9, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  8. News: November 19, 1988 . Attorney plans race for mayor . 21 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210610034608/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79289158/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  9. News: April 5, 1988 . Democrats' Nancy Chioffi wins top aldermanic seat . 11 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210610033736/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79288826/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  10. News: December 2, 1988 . Nancy Chioffi Announces Candidacy for Mayor of Burlington . 13 . Rutland Herald . live . https://archive.today/20210610034815/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79289299/rutland-daily-herald/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  11. News: January 12, 1989 . Chioffi captures Democratic nod by mere 5 votes . 1 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210610020115/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79283562/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  12. News: June 19, 1988 . PC talks center on successor . 11 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210610010836/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79280563/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  13. News: June 19, 1988 . Progressives divided by party-backing question . 16 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210610010902/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79280496/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  14. News: November 13, 1988 . Who will succeed Sanders? . 1 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210610011907/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79281167/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  15. News: November 22, 1988 . 2 announce plans to run for mayor . 1 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210610012405/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79281446/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  16. News: November 26, 1988 . Alderman seeks bid for mayor . 17 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210610012747/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79281739/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  17. News: November 29, 1988 . Sanders Looks Back on His Political Career . 11 . Rutland Herald . live . https://archive.today/20210610012926/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79281799/rutland-daily-herald/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  18. News: December 6, 1988 . Leopold Out Of Running In Burlington . 16 . Rutland Herald . live . https://archive.today/20210610013547/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79282259/rutland-daily-herald/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  19. News: December 6, 1988 . Leopold won't run for mayor . 13 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210610014027/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79282479/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  20. News: December 9, 1988 . Progressives Nominate Clavelle; Sanders Say Farewell . 15 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210610014403/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79282724/rutland-daily-herald/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  21. News: December 15, 1988 . Sanders confident of Clavelle; treasurer won't support him . 17 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210610015106/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79283119/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  22. News: November 30, 1988 . Sanders to give talk at Progressive caucus . 13 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210610013832/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79282416/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  23. News: December 9, 1988 . Clavelle wins Progressive nod . 1 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210610014716/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79282514/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  24. News: December 23, 1988 . Clavelle resigns position . 13 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210610015354/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79283186/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  25. News: December 4, 1988 . Caucus system criticized . 23 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210610013236/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79282041/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  26. News: January 11, 1989 . City Democrats to select mayoral candidate . 1 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210610015758/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79283472/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  27. News: November 13, 1988 . Who will succeed Sanders? . 10 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210610034337/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79289077/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  28. News: January 25, 1989 . GOP supports Northgate tenants . 6 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210610021312/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79284335/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  29. News: December 8, 1988 . Bickford joins mayoral race . 20 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210610031211/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79287582/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  30. News: January 23, 1989 . Bickford drops out of race for mayor . 9 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210610020931/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79284192/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  31. News: January 10, 1989 . Greens party's Baird announces run for mayor . 17 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210610031534/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79287801/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  32. News: February 1, 1989 . Burlington teacher joins mayoral racer . 13 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210610033045/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79288430/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  33. News: February 15, 1989 . Clavelle wants a cap on campaign spending . 1 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210610022857/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79285274/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  34. News: March 5, 1989 . Lively mayoral contest races to finish . 11 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210609183043/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79039414/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 9, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  35. News: January 27, 1989 . Clavelle blames opponent for a negative campaign . 3 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210610023213/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79285467/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  36. News: March 2, 1989 . Sanders: Chioffi is 'nasty' . 6 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210610030510/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79287265/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  37. News: February 22, 1989 . NOW chapter endorses Clavelle . 19 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210610024810/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79286146/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  38. News: March 6, 1989 . Burlington Journal; Exit a Socialist, to Let History Judge . . live . https://archive.today/20210610035045/https://www.nytimes.com/1989/03/06/us/burlington-journal-exit-a-socialist-to-let-history-judge.html . June 10, 2021 . June 10, 2021 .
  39. News: February 28, 1989 . Mayoral Candidates Reveal Finances . 19 . Rutland Herald . live . https://archive.today/20210610030302/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79287154/rutland-daily-herald/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .
  40. News: February 26, 1989 . Poll shows Clavelle in lead . 1 . The Burlington Free Press . live . https://archive.today/20210610025548/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79286655/the-burlington-free-press/ . June 10, 2021 . Newspapers.com . June 10, 2021 .

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