Amanda Janoo, an economist and political outsider who had never previously run for office, narrowly won Vermont’s Democratic primary for governor, according to election results reported by the Associated Press. Janoo secured 49% of the vote, edging out Aly Richards, the former head of a prominent childcare lobbying and advocacy group who captured 46%, as reported by the Associated Press and detailed by the Brattleboro Reformer.
The primary contest marked one of the most competitive gubernatorial nomination races in the state in years. Both Janoo and Richards raised more campaign funds than any Democratic gubernatorial candidate since 2020, reflecting high engagement among primary voters across Vermont.
Janoo’s victory sets up a general election contest against incumbent Republican Governor Phil Scott. Scott ran unopposed in the Republican primary and continues to maintain high popularity among voters across the political spectrum in Vermont, according to data from Morning Consult.
An Anti-Establishment Platform Focused on Surcharges and Tech Regulation
Throughout her campaign, Janoo positioned herself as an outsider critical of the political establishment. Speaking at her election-night watch party in Burlington before a crowd of at least 250 supporters, she acknowledged the difficulty of her bid. According to the Brattleboro Reformer, Janoo told the crowd, “We didn’t have the establishment for support, or big political kingmakers on our side. But we had something so much more powerful. We had you.”
Her policy platform relied heavily on progressive economic proposals aimed at reducing reliance on federal funding. Janoo argued that the federal government could not be reliably counted on to fully fund essential human services programs. Instead, her campaign proposed raising revenue within the state through targeted taxation, including a surcharge on personal income exceeding $500,000 to fund free primary care for every person in the state.
Additionally, Janoo targeted large technology companies, calling for new state regulations on large data centers used for artificial intelligence and a specific tax on advertising revenue generated by major tech firms.
Overcoming Late-Stage PAC Opposition and Securing the Nomination
Janoo’s grassroots campaign faced significant headwinds in the final stretch of the primary. Her support proved strong enough to overcome an eleventh-hour digital advertising buy exceeding $200,000 funded by a political action committee created to support Richards, though the PAC was not formally affiliated with Richards’ campaign, as reported by the Brattleboro Reformer.
Following the final vote tallies, Richards conceded the race in a statement issued around 11:30 p.m. Tuesday, calling her run “the honor of a lifetime to run for governor of this amazing state.” Richards pledged her full support to help Janoo defeat Governor Scott in the general election, stating, “Now that the primary is behind us, it’s time for Vermonters to come together and rally behind Amanda.”
Supporters at Janoo’s watch party pointed to her distinct policy positions on healthcare, taxation, and housing as the primary drivers of her support. Jackie Stanton, a voter from Johnson attending the event, told the Brattleboro Reformer that Janoo represented a genuinely people-powered movement focused on progressive economic reform.
The Road to the General Election Against Governor Scott
Janoo’s background includes work with think tanks and international development organizations in the United States and abroad. Having grown up in Strafford and now residing in Burlington, she has argued that her economic expertise equips her to address the state’s biggest economic and social challenges.
Her primary challenge in the upcoming general election will be convincing voters who have historically crossed party lines to support Governor Scott. Scott remains widely favored by a broad coalition of voters in state general elections, presenting a significant hurdle for a progressive challenger running on an anti-establishment platform.
The general election will take place this fall, with local election officials continuing to process final administrative steps following the certified primary outcome.