1992 United States House of Representatives election in Vermont explained

Election Name:1992 United States House of Representatives election in Vermont
Country:Vermont
Type:presidential
Ongoing:no
Previous Election:1990 United States House of Representatives election in Vermont
Previous Year:1990
Next Election:1994 United States House of Representatives election in Vermont
Next Year:1994
Election Date:November 3, 1992
Image1:File:Bernie Sanders 104th Congress.jpg
Nominee1:Bernie Sanders
Party1:Independent (United States)
Popular Vote1:162,724
Percentage1:57.8%
Nominee2:Tim Philbin
Party2:Republican Party (United States)
Popular Vote2:86,901
Percentage2:30.9%
Image3:File:LewisEYoung.png
Nominee3:Lewis E. Young
Party3:Democratic Party (United States)
Popular Vote3:22,279
Percentage3:7.9%
Representative
At-large
Before Election:Bernie Sanders
Before Party:Independent (politician)
After Election:Bernie Sanders
After Party:Independent (politician)

The 1992 United States House of Representatives election in Vermont was held on Tuesday, November 3, 1992, to elect the U.S. representative from the state's at-large congressional district. The election coincided with the elections of other federal and state offices, including a quadrennial presidential election and an election to the U.S. Senate.

Republican primary

Candidates

Campaign

A total of three candidates made the ballot in the Republican primary, insurance agent Tim Philbin, Rutland mayor Jeff Wennberg, and Ralph Sinclair.[3] Wennberg was considered a moderate Republican, backing abortion rights and tax increases on the rich, while Philbin and Sinclair were conservative Republicans who were opposed to abortion and any tax increases.[3] Originally, Wennberg was considered the frontrunner in the primary, but in early September 1992 Sinclair, who had fallen into a distinct third place in the race, withdrew his candidacy and backed Philbin, which was viewed as potentially giving the latter the edge.[3]

Results

Democratic primary

Candidates

Declared

Declined

Results

General election

Candidates

Campaign

As the campaign began Sanders and Philbin immediately began to attack each other in the press, with their sniping deemed by the Brattleboro Reformer as a "fax war".[8] Sanders attacked Philbin for opposing abortions, even in cases of rape and incest, and championed his own record supporting abortion rights.[8] Philbin responded by accusing Sanders of misrepresenting his position, and accused the incumbent of supporting "fat budgets and high taxes".[8]

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)
administered
Sample
size
Margin
of error
Tim
Philbin
Bernie
Sanders
Lewis
E. Young
OtherUndecided
Political/Media Research[10] September 15, 1992610 (LV)± 4.0%22%43%9%
The Burlington Free Press[11] ± 5.0%23%49%5%1%22%

Results

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bernie Sanders Debates Gun Control in 1990 Sportsmen's Forum. YouTube. SevenDaysVT. June 26, 2019. April 15, 2020.
  2. Web site: Sinclair confident he can beat Sanders. Bennington Banner. Stanley. Peter. July 9, 1992. January 8, 2021.
  3. Web site: Sinclair out of primary, backs Philbin. The Burlington Free Press. Liley. Betsy. September 3, 1992. December 31, 2021.
  4. Web site: ADI: Burlington-Plattsburgh in Vermont. University of Kansas. Dole Archives. 1992. December 31, 2021. https://web.archive.org/web/20211127205306/https://dolearchivecollections.ku.edu/collections/speeches/069/c019_069_013_all.pdf. 27 November 2021. live.
  5. Web site: Rutland mayor enters race for Sanders' seat. Bennington Banner. Allen. Susan. January 7, 1992. Associated Press. January 31, 2021.
  6. Web site: John H. Dewey runs for congress. Rutland Herald. October 3, 1992. January 1, 2022.
  7. News: Democrat makes low-key run for congress. Donlan. Ann E.. The Burlington Free Press . September 8, 1992. 4 . December 31, 2021.
  8. Web site: Just the fax, ma'am. Brattleboro Reformer. The Editorial Board. September 14, 1992. December 31, 2021.
  9. Web site: House candidates show stark differences in philosophies. The Burlington Free Press. Hill. Toya. September 27, 1992. April 30, 2022.
  10. https://dolearchivecollections.ku.edu/collections/speeches/069/c019_069_013_all.pdf Political/Media Research
  11. https://dolearchivecollections.ku.edu/collections/speeches/069/c019_069_013_all.pdf The Burlington Free Press