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David Zuckerman (politician)

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For other people named David Zuckerman, see David Zuckerman (disambiguation).

David Zuckerman
Zuckerman in 2020
82nd & 84th Lieutenant Governor of Vermont
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 5, 2023
GovernorPhil Scott
Preceded byMolly Gray
In office
January 5, 2017 – January 7, 2021
GovernorPhil Scott
Preceded byPhil Scott
Succeeded byMolly Gray
Member of the Vermont Senate
from the Chittenden district
In office
January 9, 2013 – January 2, 2017
Preceded byMulti-member district
Succeeded byDebbie Ingram
Christopher Pearson
Member of the Vermont House of Representatives
from the Chittenden-3-4 district
In office
January 5, 1997 – January 5, 2011
Preceded byMulti-member district
Succeeded byMulti-member district
Personal details
Born (1971-08-16) August 16, 1971 (age 53)
Boston, Massachusetts, U.S.
Political partyProgressive
Other political
affiliations		Democratic
SpouseRachel Nevitt
Children1
EducationUniversity of Vermont (BA)

David E. Zuckerman (born August 16, 1971) is an American politician who is currently serving as the 84th lieutenant governor of Vermont since 2023. He previously served two terms as the 82nd lieutenant governor of Vermont, from 2017 to 2021. A member of the Vermont Progressive Party,[1] he previously served in the Vermont House of Representatives for seven terms (1997–2011), and the Vermont Senate for two (2013–2017). In 2020, Zuckerman was a candidate for governor of Vermont.[2] He ran with the support of both the Progressive Party and the Democratic Party, but lost to incumbent governor Phil Scott in the general election.[3][4]

In 2016, Zuckerman ran for lieutenant governor as a Progressive, and also received the nomination of the Democratic Party by defeating Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives Shap Smith and Representative Kesha Ram in the Democratic primary. He defeated Republican State Senator Randy Brock in the 2016 general election.[5] Zuckerman was reelected in 2018 and again in 2022 following a two-year hiatus from elected office during which he unsuccessfully ran for governor.[6][7] He ran for re-election in 2024, but was defeated by Republican challenger John S. Rodgers.[8]

Zuckerman was the first Progressive Party candidate to win statewide office in Vermont and the only third party candidate to win a statewide election in the 2022 United States elections.[9][10] Other Progressive-endorsed candidates who have won statewide-office elections, including Doug Hoffer for Vermont state auditor, were primarily affiliated with the Vermont Democratic Party.[11]

Early life and education

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Born in Boston on August 16, 1971, Zuckerman grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts, and graduated from Brookline High School in 1989.[12] His father is Jewish.[13] In 1995, he graduated from the University of Vermont with a Bachelor of Arts degree in environmental studies and a minor in chemistry.[14][15]

Career

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State House of Representatives

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Prior to serving in the House, he served on the Burlington Electric Commission.[14] Zuckerman ran for the Vermont House of Representatives in 1994 while still enrolled in college and lost by 59 votes.[16] He ran again two years later and become the fourth Progressive Party member to serve in the Vermont House, a seat that he held through 2011.[17]

While in the House, he served for six years on the Natural Resources and Energy Committee as well as six years on the Agriculture Committee, including four as the chairperson.[14] He finished his time in the House of Representatives by serving on the Ways and Means Committee.[18]

Zuckerman considered running for the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2006 election when Vermont's lone House seat was being vacated by independent Bernie Sanders, who was a candidate for the United States Senate.[19] Zuckerman eventually decided not to run in order to continue serving as Agriculture chairman in the Vermont House.[20]

State senate

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Zuckerman ran for Vermont State Senate from Chittenden County in the 2012 elections and won a seat in this six-member, at-large district.[21][22] In the Senate, Zuckerman served on the Agriculture and Education committees; he was vice chairperson of Agriculture, and clerk of Education.[18]

In his time in the legislature, Zuckerman was involved in the passage of Vermont's civil union and marriage equality laws, workers' rights legislation, increasing the minimum wage, sustainable (economic and environmental) agricultural policy, cannabis policy reform, election law reform, many renewable energy initiatives, progressive taxation policy as well as universal healthcare.[citation needed]

In January 2014, Zuckerman introduced legislation that would allow for recreational sale and use of cannabis.[23] If passed it would allow for possession of up to two ounces of cannabis, and the cultivation of up to 3 plants for anyone 21 and over.[24] It would also have the penalty for underage consumption of cannabis be the same as the current penalty for underage drinking.[24]

Lieutenant governor

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Zuckerman in 2017

In 2016, Zuckerman ran for lieutenant governor as a Progressive candidate, earning the endorsement of Bernie Sanders before the August 9 primary.[25] He ran unopposed in the Progressive primary, while simultaneously defeating Vermont House Speaker Shap Smith and Representative Kesha Ram to win the Democratic nomination, and went on to defeat Republican Randy Brock in the general election.[5] Zuckerman was reelected in 2018, defeating Republican Donald H. Turner by a margin of 57% to 39%.

Zuckerman opted not to seek reelection for a third term in 2020, instead running against Republican incumbent governor Phil Scott. He ran with the support of both the Progressive Party and the Democratic Party, but lost to incumbent governor Phil Scott by a margin of 68% to 27% in the 2020 general election.[3][4]

When Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray opted not to run for reelection in order to run in the Democratic primary for Vermont's open U.S. House seat, Zuckerman announced a third campaign for lieutenant governor in 2022. He won the Democratic primary and the general election in 2022, defeating Republican nominee Joe Benning by a margin of 54% to 43% and becoming only the second person in Vermont history to be elected to serve non-consecutive terms as lieutenant governor. The other being Paul Brigham. [7]

Agriculture

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Beginning in 1999, Zuckerman and his wife, Rachel Nevitt, built a successful organic farm in Burlington's Intervale, a network of a dozen farms located in and serving the city.[14] Zuckerman served on the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee. He is also a member of the Vermont Farm Bureau and Northeast Organic Farming Association chapter in Vermont.[14]

In 2009, Zuckerman and Nevitt moved their farm to 150 acres (610,000 m2) in Hinesburg where they grow 20 acres (81,000 m2) of vegetables, CBD and raise 1000 chickens.[14][26] Their produce is almost exclusively sold within Chittenden County.[27] They operate a summer Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) with 275 members, a winter CSA with 125 members, and sell year round at the local Burlington farmers market.[28]

Political positions

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Labor

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Zuckerman has been an advocate of labor protections such as raising the minimum wage, paid family leave, and increasing protections for workers.[29]

Opposition to Bush administration

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On April 25, 2006, Zuckerman introduced a resolution for the Vermont State Legislature to ask the United States Congress to impeach President George W. Bush.[30] The motion failed 87–60 in a roll call vote on April 25, 2007.[31]

Property tax reform

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Zuckerman supported a bill to lower property tax rates for households earning less than $200,000 in the 2015–16 session.[32] He also helped pass legislation to model this reform in time for the 2017 session.[33]

Equal pay

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Zuckerman was a sponsor of H.440 in 2001, a bill which would require equal pay for equal work.[34]

GMO labeling

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In 2014, Zuckerman was the lead Senate author of Vermont's first-in-the-nation GMO food-labeling law.[35]

Vaccines

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Zuckerman is critical of the philosophy of mandatory vaccinations, a view that led to scrutiny during the coronavirus pandemic.[36][37] He has said that he is skeptical about the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's position on vaccines due to its purported connections to the pharmaceutical industry, but believes the science of vaccination is sound.[36] He said that he believed that most people should vaccinate their children, but believes in exemptions for medical or religious reasons.[38] He said that some of his constituents had said that vaccines gave their children allergic reactions.[38] He has said that his own daughter is vaccinated.[36]

Personal life

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Zuckerman and his wife Rachel live in Hinesburg, Vermont with their one child.[39]

Electoral history

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2016 Democratic primary, Vermont Lieutenant Governor[40]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dave Zuckerman 31,027 42.7
Democratic Shap Smith 26,569 36.6
Democratic Kesha Ram 12,133 16.7
Democratic Write-ins 323 0.46
Total votes 70,052 100%
2016 Progressive primary, Vermont Lieutenant Governor[40]
Party Candidate Votes %
Progressive Dave Zuckerman (write-in) 228 50.67
Progressive Boots Wardinski 150 33.33
Progressive Write-ins (other) 72 16.0
Total votes 450 100%
2016 general election, Vermont Lieutenant Governor[41]
Party Candidate Votes %
Progressive/Democratic Dave Zuckerman 159,738 52.09
Republican Randy Brock 139,344 45.44
Liberty Union Boots Wardinski 7,038 2.3
Write-in Write-ins 559 0.18
Total votes 306,679 100%
2018 Democratic primary, Vermont Lieutenant Governor
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dave Zuckerman (incumbent) 59,131 98.0
Democratic Write-ins 1,204 2.0
Democratic Blank/overvotes 8,844
Total votes 60,335 100%
2018 Progressive primary, Vermont Lieutenant Governor
Party Candidate Votes %
Progressive Dave Zuckerman (incumbent) (write-in) 390 78.5
Progressive Write-ins (other) 107 21.5
Progressive Blank/overvotes 146
Total votes 497 100%
2018 general election, Vermont Lieutenant Governor[42]
Party Candidate Votes %
Progressive/Democratic Dave Zuckerman 158,530 57.12
Republican Don Turner Jr. 108,395 39.06
Liberty Union Murray Ngoima 4,108 1.52
Write-in Write-ins 240 0.09
Total votes 271,295 100%
N/A Blank votes 6,901
N/A Over votes 34
2020 general election, Vermont Governor[43]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Republican Phil Scott (incumbent) 248,412 68.49% +13.30
Progressive David Zuckerman 99,214 27.35% N/A
Independent Kevin Hoyt 4,576 1.26% N/A
Independent Emily Peyton 3,505 0.97% N/A
Independent Erynn Hazlett Whitney 1,777 0.49% N/A
Independent Wayne Billado III 1,431 0.39% N/A
Independent Michael A. Devost 1,160 0.32% N/A
Independent Charly Dickerson 1,037 0.29% N/A
Write-in 1,599 0.44% N/A
Total votes 362,711 100.0% +32.33
Rejected ballots 8,257 2.23%
Turnout 370,968 73.27%
Registered electors 506,312
Republican hold
2022 Democratic primary, Vermont Lieutenant Governor[44]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic David Zuckerman 42,562 43.71
Democratic Catherine Toll 37,868 38.89
Democratic Patricia Preston 9,326 9.58
Democratic Charles Kimbell 7,253 7.45
Write-in 356 0.37
Total votes 97,365 100.00
2022 Progressive primary, Vermont Lieutenant Governor[44]
Party Candidate Votes %
Progressive David Zuckerman (write-in) 118 55.14
Write-in 96 44.86
Total votes 214 100.00
2022 general election, Vermont Lieutenant Governor[45]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Progressive David Zuckerman[a] 150,102 51.41 +0.09
Republican Joe Benning 118,724 40.67 –3.42
Green Mountain Ian Diamondstone 8,159 2.79 N/A
Write-in 1,738 0.60 +0.21
Total votes 291,955 100.00
Progressive gain from Democratic

Notes

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  1. ^ Candidate received the nominations of both the Progressive and Democratic parties and was listed on the ballot as "Progressive/Democratic" (candidate was primarily a Progressive).

References

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  1. ^ "Elected Progressives". The Vermont Progressive Party. Retrieved August 15, 2020.
  2. ^ Kinzel, Bob (January 13, 2020). "Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman Confirms The Speculation: He's Running For Governor In 2020". Vermont Public Radio. Retrieved February 7, 2020.
  3. ^ a b Hirschfeld, Peter (November 4, 2020). "Phil Scott Garners Third Term As Governor In Landslide Win Over Zuckerman". VPR.
  4. ^ a b Heintz, Paul. "Scott's Victory Lap: Gov Wins Third Term, Gray Elected LG, Speaker Johnson Falls Short". Seven Days.
  5. ^ a b DeSmet, Nicole Higgins (August 9, 2016). "Zuckerman wins race for Dems lt. governor". Burlington Free Press. Retrieved August 11, 2016.
  6. ^ McCullum, April (November 9, 2016). "RESULTS: Zuckerman wins lt. governor's race". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT.
  7. ^ a b Lefrak, Mikaela (November 9, 2022). "David Zuckerman on his win for lieutenant governor". Vermont Public. Retrieved December 7, 2022.
  8. ^ Heintz, Paul (November 7, 2024). "David Zuckerman concedes lieutenant governor's race to John Rodgers — but with a caveat". VTDigger. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  9. ^ True, Morgan (November 9, 2016). "Zuckerman Takes Lieutenant Governor Post". VT Digger. Montpelier, VT. Archived from the original on November 21, 2016. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  10. ^ Winger, Richard (November 16, 2022). "Three Statewide Minor Party Candidates Exceeded 30% of the Vote in November 2022". Ballot Access News. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
  11. ^ Office of the Vermont Secretary of State (2014). "General Election results, Auditor of Accounts: 1884-2014" (PDF). www.sec.state.vt.us/. Montpelier, VT: Vermont State Archives and Records Administration. p. 12. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 22, 2017. Retrieved November 21, 2016.
  12. ^ Muddy River Annual. Brookline: Brookline High School. 1989.
  13. ^ "I've got 10 generations of New England Yankee blood in me and a Jewish father as well," Zuckerman said. "Between the two, (I'm) pretty darn frugal." Jasper Craven (September 15, 2016). "Lieutenant governor hopefuls differ on style and substance". VT Digger.
  14. ^ a b c d e f Craven, Jasper (November 20, 2015). "Zuckerman adds name as candidate for lieutenant governor". Mountain Times. Killington, VT. VT Digger. Archived from the original on February 14, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  15. ^ "Vermont general Assembly: Legislators; David Zuckerman". legislature.vermont.gov. Montpelier, VT: Vewrmont General Assembly. 2016. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
  16. ^ "Candidate biography, David E. Zuckerman". VT Digger. Montpelier, VT. 2016. Archived from the original on February 14, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  17. ^ "About Dave". Zuckerman for Chittenden County. David Zuckerman. Archived from the original on August 3, 2012. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  18. ^ a b "Candidate biography, David E. Zuckerman".
  19. ^ Hallenbeck, Terri (February 16, 2006). "Zuckerman Bows Out of House Race; Criticizes Voting By Fear". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. Archived from the original on February 14, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  20. ^ "Zuckerman Bows Out of House Race".
  21. ^ Galloway, Anne (November 7, 2012). "Dems sweep all but one statewide seat, hold "supermajority" in House, Senate". VT Digger. Archived from the original on April 8, 2013. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  22. ^ Remsen, Nancy (January 7, 2013). "The everyday farmers' perspective Work informs goals for two new Senators". Burlington Free Press. Archived from the original on February 14, 2017. Retrieved January 24, 2013.
  23. ^ Zuckerman, David (2014). "S. 306, as Introduced by Senator Zuckerman" (PDF). leg.state.vt.us/. Montpelier, VT: Vermont general Assembly. p. 1. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 4, 2014. Retrieved January 7, 2014.
  24. ^ a b "S. 306, as Introduced by Senator Zuckerman".
  25. ^ Heintz, Paul (August 2, 2016). "In Race for LG, Sanders Endorses Zuckerman, Dean Backs Smith". Seven Days. Archived from the original on August 5, 2016. Retrieved August 6, 2016.
  26. ^ "The Farm". Full Moon Farm. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  27. ^ "About Full Moon Farm". Full Moon Farm. Hinesburg, VT: Full Moon Farm Inc. Archived from the original on February 14, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  28. ^ "About Full Moon Farm".
  29. ^ Hallenbeck, Terri (November 9, 2016). "Vermont Picks Zuckerman for Lieutenant Governor, Donovan for Attorney General". Seven Days. Burlington, VT. Archived from the original on February 14, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  30. ^ Allen, Darren (April 25, 2006). "Some Vt. lawmakers push for Bush impeachment". Rutland, VT: Rutland Herald.[dead link‍]
  31. ^ "Vermont House Rejects Impeachment Resolution". Archived from the original on September 27, 2007. Retrieved April 26, 2007.
  32. ^ Jickling, Katie (September 8, 2016). "Zuckerman Vows To Build Engagement as Vt.'s #2". Randolph Herald. Randolph, VT. Archived from the original on February 14, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  33. ^ "Zuckerman Vows To Build Engagement as Vt.'s #2".
  34. ^ "The Vermont Legislative Bill Tracking System". www.leg.state.vt.us. Archived from the original on June 11, 2016. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
  35. ^ Gillam, Carey (April 26, 2014). "Vermont governor says he'll sign GMO food-labeling bill". Bangor Daily News. Bangor, ME. Reuters. Archived from the original on February 14, 2017. Retrieved February 13, 2017.
  36. ^ a b c "Anti-vaxx politicians under fire as coronavirus spreads". POLITICO. March 21, 2020.
  37. ^ Bob Kinzel; The Associated Press (April 22, 2015). "Senate Votes To Remove Philosophical Vaccine Exemption". www.vpr.org.
  38. ^ a b "VT senator tearfully explains vote after criticism". Burlington Free Press. April 25, 2015.
  39. ^ "Dave Zuckerman's Biography". Vote Smart. Retrieved October 2, 2024.
  40. ^ a b "Vermont Primary results" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on November 8, 2018. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  41. ^ "Vermont General election canvass" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on December 20, 2016. Retrieved February 19, 2023.
  42. ^ "Vermont midterm election results: The winners and losers". November 7, 2019. Archived from the original on February 25, 2019. Retrieved February 25, 2019.
  43. ^ "2020 General Election Canvass Report" (PDF). Vermont Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on November 10, 2020. Retrieved November 19, 2020.
  44. ^ a b "Vermont Election Night Results". Secretary of State of Vermont. August 9, 2022. Retrieved August 10, 2022.
  45. ^ "Vermont Lieutenant Governor Election Results 2022". NBC News. November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to David Zuckerman (politician).
Political offices
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of Vermont
2017–2021 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of Vermont
2023–present 		Incumbent
Party political offices
Vacant
Title last held by
Cassandra Gekas 		Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Vermont
2016, 2018 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Progressive nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Vermont
2016, 2018 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Democratic nominee for Governor of Vermont
2020 		Succeeded by
Brenda Siegel
Vacant
Title last held by
Martha Abbott 		Progressive nominee for Governor of Vermont
2020 		Succeeded by
Preceded by
Molly Gray
 Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Vermont
2022, 2024 		Most recent
Preceded by
Cris Ericson
 Progressive nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Vermont
2022, 2024
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