Vermont's Statewide Elected Officials, Explained

The gold-domed Vermont State House in Montpelier in October. Photo: King of Hearts / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.

Vermont is one of only two states, with New Hampshire, that elect their governor to two-year terms. Five other statewide officers are elected on the same schedule, so every even-numbered year Vermonters choose their entire executive branch leadership. The next general election is Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.

Here’s what each office does, who holds it as of October 2026, and who’s on the ballot, based on the Vermont Secretary of State’s candidate listing and news reports. Results will be updated after the election.

Governor

What it does: The governor is the chief executive. The office proposes the state budget, signs or vetoes bills, appoints agency secretaries and many judges (with Senate confirmation), commands the Vermont National Guard and declares emergencies.

Current officeholder: Phil Scott (Republican), governor since January 2017 and seeking a sixth two-year term in 2026.

On the 2026 ballot: Phil Scott (R), Amanda Janoo (D), and several minor-party and independent candidates, according to Ballotpedia.

Lieutenant Governor

What it does: The lieutenant governor presides over the state Senate, can cast tie-breaking votes, and becomes governor if the office becomes vacant. Vermont’s governor and lieutenant governor are elected separately, so they can be from different parties.

Current officeholder: John Rodgers (Republican), in office since January 2025.

On the 2026 ballot: John Rodgers (R) and Molly Gray (D), a former lieutenant governor.

State Treasurer

What it does: The treasurer manages state cash and investments, oversees the state pension systems for public employees and teachers, manages state debt, and returns unclaimed property to its owners.

Current officeholder: Mike Pieciak (Democrat), treasurer since 2023.

On the 2026 ballot: Mike Pieciak (D), Lynn LaFleur (R) and Zachary Hampl (Progressive).

Secretary of State

What it does: The secretary of state runs elections, registers businesses, licenses many professions, and oversees the Vermont State Archives.

Current officeholder: Sarah Copeland Hanzas (Democrat), secretary of state since 2023.

On the 2026 ballot: Sarah Copeland Hanzas (D), H. Brooke Paige (R) and Rachel Shaw (Progressive).

Attorney General

What it does: The attorney general is Vermont’s chief legal officer. The office represents the state in court, enforces consumer protection and environmental laws, prosecutes certain crimes, and issues legal opinions.

Current officeholder: Charity Clark (Democrat), attorney general since 2023.

On the 2026 ballot: Charity Clark (D) and Edwin Kemon (R).

Auditor of Accounts

What it does: The auditor reviews how the state spends money, conducting financial audits and performance audits of state programs and reporting findings to the governor, the Legislature and the public. The auditor doesn’t set spending or taxes.

Current officeholder: Doug Hoffer (Democrat), auditor since 2013, who is not seeking re-election.

On the 2026 ballot: Tim Ashe (D), the deputy auditor and a former Senate president pro tempore, and Ivar Kronick (R) of Poultney. This is the first open auditor’s race in more than a decade.

Why these offices matter

Statewide officers shape how Vermont’s government runs day to day. Several of them hold independent power, such as the attorney general’s lawsuits, the auditor’s reports and the treasurer’s investment decisions, regardless of who controls the Legislature.

Frequently asked questions

Are there term limits? No. Vermont’s statewide officers have no term limits, which is why some, like Gov. Scott and Auditor Hoffer, have served many terms.

What happens if no candidate for governor gets a majority? If no candidate for governor, lieutenant governor or treasurer wins a majority of votes, the Legislature elects the winner by secret ballot.

When do newly elected officers take office? Vermont’s statewide officers elected in November take office in early January, when the new legislative biennium begins.

Can the same person run for more than one office? Candidates can win nominations for several offices in a primary, as happened in 2026, but must choose which office to pursue before the general election.

Related coverage

See our 2026 general election voter guide, how the Legislature works, and Vermont’s congressional delegation. More in People & Profiles and Politics & State Government.

Sources

Vermont Secretary of State, 2026 general election candidates: https://sos.vermont.gov/elections/election-info-resources/candidates
Ballotpedia, Vermont state executive official elections, 2026: https://ballotpedia.org/Vermont_state_executive_official_elections,_2026
VTDigger, “Incumbents largely hold on in Vermont’s legislative and statewide primaries,” Aug. 12, 2026: https://vtdigger.org/
Bennington Banner, “Former Senate President Tim Ashe running for Vermont State Auditor,” Sept. 30, 2026: https://www.benningtonbanner.com/