University of New Hampshire Survey Center
50%40%30%20%10%0%
43%
Republican
Incumbent
IncumbentPhil Scott
Vermont Republican Governor nominee?
$41.4K
AUG 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleGovernor
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyModerate Republican
Age67 years old (Aug 4, 1958)
GenderMale
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LocationVermont
BackgroundPolitician
EducationUniversity of Vermont (BS)
Notable personal detailsPhilip Brian Scott is an American politician who has served as the 82nd governor of Vermont since 2017. A Republican, he previously served in the Vermont Senate and as Vermont’s lieutenant governor. He is also a businessman and former stock car racer.
SourcesShowHide
en.wikipedia.orgnga.orgphilscott.orgwikidata.orgelectionarchive.vermont.govpt.wikipedia.orgvwdb.vermont.govde.wikipedia.orgdiff.wikimedia.orgusa.govhypestat.comballotready.orghistory.house.govwelchforvermont.comgovernor.vermont.govgovinfo.govlegislature.vermont.govcastletonvermont.orgarxiv.orgvtdigger.orgvermontpublic.orgapnews.comwcax.comontheissues.orgacluvt.orgconcordmonitor.combreitbart.comwashingtonpost.comeverytown.orgmynbc5.comthehill.comnewsweek.comnytimes.comcenterforpolitics.orgyahoo.comvermontdailychronicle.comphilforcolorado.cominstagram.comyoutube.comlocalcandidates.orgfacebook.comjustfacts.votesmart.orgsenate.govepw.senate.govcongress.gov
Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
Phil Scott consistently opposes new or higher state taxes and proposes budgets intended to avoid tax increases while offering targeted tax relief and rebates. As governor he has repeatedly urged the Legislature not to raise taxes or fees and proposed budgets that hold spending growth down and include tax relief measures. His public budget addresses emphasize affordability, reducing the property tax burden, and avoiding new taxes on Vermonters.
Healthcare
Supports affordable, expanded access to health care and cost-control reforms but opposes single‑payer/Medicare‑for‑All for Vermont; favors pursuing payment‑system reforms (all‑payer model) and fixing the state exchange while using subsidies to increase coverage.
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Immigration & Border
As governor Phil Scott has supported measures that expand immigrant integration (for example allowing professional licenses regardless of immigration status) and signed legislation limiting local law-enforcement agreements with federal immigration authorities, while also maintaining state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement and renewing a contract to hold federal immigration detainees. His record shows a pragmatic approach that protects access and integration for immigrants while acknowledging and preserving some enforcement cooperation with federal authorities.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Phil Scott supports legal access to abortion and has acted to protect reproductive rights in Vermont, including signing a 2019 law expanding abortion protections and signing the Reproductive Liberty constitutional amendment and later statutes protecting access (including protections for medication abortion).
Climate & Energy
Supports clean energy development and set targets (including a past commitment to 90% renewable energy by 2050) but opposes aggressive, prescriptive mandates and regressive carbon taxes; has vetoed or opposed legislation that would require faster/stricter transitions (e.g., 100% utility renewables by 2035 and a Clean Heat Standard) citing cost and affordability concerns. He has allowed certain climate/accountability measures to become law without his signature while advocating more gradual, affordability-focused approaches to reducing emissions.
Public Safety & Guns
Supports multiple gun-safety measures including universal background checks for private sales, age limits on long-gun purchases, bans on bump stocks and high-capacity magazines, and an extreme-risk (red flag) law; has signed and allowed related legislation to become law and has expressed support for red-flag policies as a model for broader adoption.
News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 23, 2026
Phil Scott is in the news after a new poll showed his approval rating falling to a new low of 48%, even though he still leads possible 2028 matchups against Democratic challengers. He has also been dealing with several policy and administration issues in Vermont, including a labor board order to end the state employee office-return mandate and a new law he allowed to take effect without his signature that lets people sue federal officials over alleged constitutional rights violations. Separately, he joined other New England governors in a bipartisan push to explore advanced nuclear energy, and he criticized federal ICE agents over a recent standoff in Vermont.
en.wikipedia.org+44
Articles
TBThe Boston Globe3 months ago
Vt. to allow suits against federal agents over rights violations
Neutral
WWTOP4 months ago
Vermont labor board orders state to end return
Negative
QPQuincy Patriot Ledger4 months ago
Bipartisan New England governors form pact to grow nuclear energy
Positive
BFBurlington Free Press4 days ago
VT Gov. Scott's approval rating hits new low as election approaches
Negative
Polls
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
Vermont Republican Governor nominee?
Endorsers of Phil Scott for Vermont Republican Governor nominee?
Tom Donahue
Public figure
Tom Donahue endorsed Phil Scott in Rutland's write-in mayoral race coverage.
New updates coming soon
We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
- Fundraising