2012 United States Senate election in Vermont

The 2012 United States Senate election in Vermont was held on November 6, 2012. Incumbent independent Senator Bernie Sanders won reelection to a second term in a landslide, defeating Republican nominee John MacGovern with 71% of the vote. Sanders, a self-described democratic socialist, was first elected with 65% of the vote in 2006, and was the first non-Republican to win this seat since 1850.

Candidates

 * Bernie Sanders, incumbent U.S. Senator

Sanders also received the nomination of the Vermont Progressive Party, but declined both the Democratic and Progressive nominations after the primary.

Declared

 * John MacGovern, former Massachusetts State Representative
 * H. Brooke Paige, former CEO of Remmington News Service

Declined

 * Kevin Dorn, former Secretary of the Vermont Agency of Commerce and Community Development
 * Jim Douglas, former governor
 * Thom Lauzon, Mayor of Barre
 * Tom Salmon, state auditor

Candidates

 * Peter Diamondstone (Liberty Union), perennial candidate
 * Cris Ericson (U.S. Marijuana), perennial candidate (also running for Governor)
 * Laurel LaFramboise (VoteKISS)
 * John MacGovern (Republican), former Massachusetts State Representative
 * Peter Moss (Peace and Prosperity)
 * Bernie Sanders (I), incumbent U.S. Senator

Debates

 * Complete video of debate, October 25, 2012 - C-SPAN