The 2024 lieutenant governor race in Vermont is shaping up to be a noteworthy clash between two experienced politicians: incumbent David Zuckerman, representing the Vermont Progressive and Democratic Parties, and Republican candidate John Rodgers.
After growing up in Brookline, Mass., Zuckerman attended the University of Vermont (UVM), where he majored in Environmental Studies. He has served as lieutenant governor since 2017 and held positions in both the Vermont House and State Senate. His campaign emphasizes continuity and his record of supporting progressive causes, such as environmental initiatives and reproductive rights, and Vermont's agricultural community.
“I saw Bernie [Sanders] in 1992 when he was up for Congress, that was as a college student. I became quite intrigued by this different type of politician who doesn’t take corporate money and who seemed to speak more directly to the issues. I was very inspired by that and got involved in his campaign in ’92It sort of all took off from there,” Zuckerman said of his involvement in politics.
On the other side, John Rodgers, a former Democratic legislator who recently switched to the Republican Party, is fiscally conservative and skeptical of Vermont's recent progressive shift. Born and raised in Vermont, Rodgers has built a platform focused on lowering taxes and challenging recent Democratic-pushed policies on energy and public education funding.
Known for his vocal criticism of the national Republican Party’s Trump-aligned faction, Rodgers presents himself as a moderate alternative, willing to cross party lines and address the economic concerns of Vermont's working class.
“I really want to be a voice for the working class. I believe their voice has been lost in the state house and I really want to bring that back to the state house,” Rodgers said in a recent VTDigger debate.
Affordability and Housing in Vermont
Zuckerman and Rodgers agree that the cost of living in Vermont has become untenable for Vermont’s working class, but have put forth very different solutions to address the issue. Along with the general cost of living, the cost of housing in Vermont has skyrocketed in recent years, largely due to rising property taxes and increasing housing costs.
VTDigger reported that just this past July, the Vermont Legislature voted to override Gov. Phil Scott's veto of H.887, known as the “yield bill,” which finances the state’s public education system through property taxes. This decision will affect property owners across the state, resulting in an average property tax increase of 13.8%, according to VTDigger. Rodgers and Zuckerman both believe that one of the first steps to addressing these issues is raising the minimum wage in Vermont, which currently is $13.67 per hour.
During their Vermont Public debate, Rodger explained that he views Vermont's property taxes and current energy policies as regressive, disproportionately affecting lower-income Vermonters without providing sufficient relief. He is particularly critical of energy policies that he says benefit wealthier residents while shifting more financial pressure onto working families who are ineligible for energy rebates and tax relief.
Rodgers has proposed reforms to ensure all Vermonters contribute fairly to state revenue. In the same Vermont Public debate, he even suggested he might support a tax on high earning Vermonters to alleviate the current system's impact on middle- and lower-income residents, and shift a portion of the tax burden onto higher earners. By reforming both taxation and energy policies, Rodgers hopes to create a more equitable economic landscape in Vermont.
“People I’ve been talking with around the state are seeing crushing rents, spiraling property taxes, and other expenses going up beyond their means to pay. I think the legislature has forgotten them and I think they often listen to special interests and talk to each other and aren’t communicating with real Vermonters on the ground,” Rodgers said in the VTDigger debate.
In an interview with the Campus, Zuckerman explained his support of a 3% marginal tax increase on those earning more than $500,000 annually, aimed at generating revenue for housing and school initiatives. This tax increase, he argued, would ensure Vermont’s wealthiest residents contribute more to the state’s infrastructure, which is especially vital for lower-income residents who bear the brunt of Vermont’s high cost of living.
Zuckerman has proposed allocating the $70 million generated by this tax toward affordable housing — a plan that is not supported by Vermont's governor. He also advocates for an additional $30–40 million to improve funding for public schools, raised by a proposed shift in income sensitivity regarding school taxes. He stresses the interconnectivity of Vermont’s issues; addressing the cost of living issue could also help alleviate the pressure on Vermont’s healthcare system as well as bolster Vermont education.
The candidates share concerns about Vermont's rising housing and homelessness issues but propose slightly different approaches to address them. Zuckerman proposed the same 3% marginal tax increase for the wealthiest Vermonters in a recent VTDigger debate. While Rogers is concerned about the rising costs of living that additional taxes may bring, he recognizes the need to fund services that alleviate housing insecurity without over burdening any one city or community.
Healthcare
In their final debate, Zuckerman and Rodgers discussed healthcare, reflecting their differing priorities for affordability and feasibility. Rodgers argues that Vermont cannot bear the financial weight of a universal healthcare system on its own and insists that federal intervention is necessary to make such a system viable.
Zuckerman, however, is a strong advocate for universal healthcare within Vermont. He supports lowering drug prices and believes that the state’s high healthcare costs make reform essential. Acknowledging Vermont’s aging population, he sees primary care investments as a positive step but argues that an expert-led overhaul is needed to build a sustainable system.
Lieutenant Governor Zuckerman and John Rodgers largely agree on what issues need Vermont’s attention — they just have differing opinions on how to get there.
Zuckerman advocates for progressive changes, including raising the minimum wage, expanding affordable housing, tackling the opioid crisis, and addressing climate change. He highlights the need to combat class inequality and draws attention to his record in the Vermont Senate, where he championed initiatives like marriage equality and cannabis reform.
Rodgers, meanwhile, underscores his decision to leave the Democratic Party as an act of courage, positioning himself as a voice for Vermont’s working class. Both candidates aim to demonstrate their dedication to Vermont’s residents, with Zuckerman focusing on progressive reform and Rodgers on pragmatic, working-class advocacy.
Both candidates do not support access to automatic weapons in Vermont.
Lt. Governor Zuckerman emphasized to The Campus the importance of voting on a local as well as federal level.
“Those local votes matter when it comes to river corridor protection to protect from flooding, or renewable energy, or investing in affordable housing. I would encourage people to not skip the down ballot races,” he said.
