1993 Burlington mayoral election

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1993 Burlington mayoral election
Flag of Burlington, Vermont (1990-2017).jpg
←  1991 March 2, 1993 1995  →
  No image.svg Peter Clavelle.jpg
Nominee Peter Brownell Peter Clavelle
Party Republican Progressive Coalition
Popular vote5,4104,686
Percentage52.48%45.46%
1993 Burlington, Vermont mayoral election by city council district.svg
Results by city council district
Brownell:
  Brownell—50-60%
  Brownell—60-70%

Clavelle:
  Clavelle—50-60%
  Clavelle—60-70%
Mayor of Burlington before election

Peter Clavelle
Progressive Coalition

Elected Mayor of Burlington

Peter Brownell
Republican

The 1993 Burlington mayoral election was held on March 2, 1993. Republican nominee Peter Brownell defeated incumbent Progressive Coalition Mayor Peter Clavelle.

Contents

Clavelle won renomination as the Progressive Coalition's candidate. The Republican Party, which had not ran a candidate since the 1983 mayoral election, gave its nomination to Brownell, a member of the city council from the 6th district. The Democratic Party selected to not run or endorse a candidate. Brownell defeated Clavelle despite Clavelle's having fundraised more money, more endorsements, and having two hundred more volunteers working on his campaign. Clavelle stated that he had lost the election due to him passing legislation to have Burlington pay for the health care benefits for domestic partners of city workers.

This was the first time since the election of Bernie Sanders in 1981 that somebody not aligned with the Progressive Coalition won election to the mayoralty. Brownell was the first Republican to hold the office of mayor since Edward A. Keenan left office in 1965. This election is the most recent time a Republican won election to the mayoralty of Burlington.

Background

Bernie Sanders won election as Mayor of Burlington, Vermont, in the 1981 mayoral election as an independent. [1] He won reelection in the 1983, 1985, and 1987 elections. [2] [3] [4] During Sanders' mayoralty the composition of the thirteen-member city council changed from having ten Democratic members and three Republicans after the 1980 election to the pro-Sanders Progressive Coalition holding six of the seats after the 1987 election. [5] [6]

Peter Clavelle won the 1989 mayoral election as an independent candidate with the support of the Progressive Coalition. [7] [8] He won reelection in the 1991 election as the nominee of the Progressive Coalition and faced no opposition from the Democratic and Republican parties. [9] [10] [11] The Progressive Coalition won six seats on the city council in the 1992 election, which was the highest amount they had held since 1989, while the Democrats won five seats, and the Republicans won two seats. [12]

Dianne Deforge, a member of the city council from the 4th district who considered running for mayor in 1993, stated that the Republicans and Democrats would run a candidate against Clavelle in the 1993 election unlike in the 1991 election. She stated that "Clavelle won't get a free ride this time". However, she stated that a Democrat was more likely to win and that it was "not the year for a Republican to run citywide". [13]

Campaign

Candidates

Progressive Coalition

On December 9, 1992, the Progressive Coalition voted to give its nomination to Peter Clavelle. [14] Clavelle announced that he would seek reelection to a third term on January 21, 1993. [15]

Republican

The Republican Party had not ran a candidate in the 1985, 1987, 1989, and 1991 elections. [9] [16] [17] [18] Peter Brownell, a member of the city council from the 6th district, stated that the possible candidates for the Republican nomination were him and Bob Minkewicz, the chair of the Burlington Republican Party. [19] Brownell announced on January 14, 1993, that he would run for the Republican nomination and won the nomination on January 20. [20] [21]

Brownell selected Jill McDermott to serve as his campaign manager. McDermott had previously worked as the campaign manager for Lieutenant Governor Peter Plympton Smith and Governor Richard A. Snelling. [22]

Democratic

The Democratic Party had not ran a candidate in the 1991 election. [11] William Aswad, a member of the city council who had run for the Democratic mayoral nomination in 1989, considered running, but declined. Paul Lafayette, who was the Democratic mayoral nominee in 1987, was considered the strongest candidate, but declined to run to instead focus on his painting business. Randy Amis considered running, but declined to instead focus on his law career. [13] [23]

The Democrats did not nominate a candidate for the election and did not endorse a candidate. Clavelle, Brownell, and Prim were nominated for the endorsement, but Prim received zero votes, Calvelle received one vote, Brownell received seven votes, and the remainder voted for none of the above. [24] Aswad endorsed Brownell while city councilor Maurice Mahoney stated that he would vote for Brownell, but not endorse him. [25]

Other

Paul Cook, Roger Verville, Don Prim, Matthew Gardy, and Eddie Bickford all petitioned to run in the mayoral election as independent candidates. [20] Gardy and Verville withdrew from the race and gave their support to Brownell. [26]

General election

The candidates participated in one candidate forum and two debates. [27] [28] [29] The Burlington Police Association chose to endorse Brownell, which was the first time since 1981 that the union did not support the Progressive nominee. [26] During the campaign Clavelle outspent and outraised Brownell with Clavelle having raised $26,872, spent $25,545, and had a remaining debt of $3,862 while Brownell raised $17,349 and spent $12,317. [30] Clavelle had 220 volunteers working for his campaign compared to Brownell's 20 volunteers. [31]

Brownell defeated Clavelle in the election while only winning two of the city council wards. Brownell's victory ended the Progressive Coalition's control of the mayoral office that it had held since the 1981 election and he became the first Republican to hold the office since Edward A. Keenan left office in 1965. Clavelle stated that he had lost due to him passing legislation to have Burlington pay for the health care benefits for domestic partners of city workers. [32]

Former Republican Mayor Robert K. Bing was happy with Brownell's victory while United States Representative Bernie Sanders, who served as mayor from 1981 to 1989, stated that he was disappointed by Clavelle's defeat. [33] As of 2018, Brownell's victory in the 1993 election is the most recent time the Republicans have won election as mayor of Burlington. [34]

The Republicans gained one seat on the city council from the Democrats while the Progressives retained all of their seats. [35] A special election was held on to fill the vacancy on the city council from the 4th district created by Brownell becoming mayor which was won by Republican nominee Tom Ryan. [36]

Polling

Poll sourceDate(s)Sample sizeMargin of Error Clavelle Brownell UndecidedOther
Macro International-Free Press [37] February 21, 1993411 likely voters± 4.5%45.00%'28.00%24.00%3.00%

Results

1993 Burlington mayoral election [38]
PartyCandidateVotes%±%
Republican Peter Brownell 5,410 52.48% +52.48%
Progressive Coalition Peter Clavelle (incumbent)4,68645.46%-32.50%
Independent Donald L. Prim980.95%+0.95%
Independent Paul A. Cook450.44%+0.44%
Independent Edwards Bickford390.38%+0.38%
Independent Roger R. Verville160.16%+0.16%
Independent Matthew Peter Gardy140.14%+0.14%
Total votes10,308 100.00%

Results by ward

WardBrownellVotesClavelleVotesPrimVotesCookVotesBickfordVotesVervilleVotesGardyVotesTotal votes [38] Votes
Ward 137.93%47960.57%7650.55%70.16%20.40%50.24%30.16%2100.00%1,263
Ward 236.07%35661.09%6030.81%81.11%110.61%60.20%20.10%1100.00%987
Ward 340.46%51157.09%7211.03%130.40%50.87%110.08%10.08%1100.00%1,263
Ward 466.60%2,41531.14%1,1291.41%510.50%180.22%80.03%10.11%4100.00%3,626
Ward 555.83%98142.57%7480.51%90.34%60.28%50.23%40.23%4100.00%1,757
Ward 647.31%66850.99%7200.71%100.21%30.28%40.35%50.14%2100.00%1,412

Endorsements

Brownell endorsements
Local officials
Organizations
  • Burlington Police Association [26]
Clavelle endorsements
Federal officials
Statewide officials
State legislators
Local officials
Individuals
Newspapers

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References

  1. ↑ "Recount Puts Sanders Up By 10 Votes". The Burlington Free Press . March 14, 1981. p. 4. Archived from the original on June 7, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  2. ↑ "1983 election results". The Burlington Free Press. March 2, 1983. p. 17. Archived from the original on August 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ↑ "City Elections At-a-glance". The Burlington Free Press. March 6, 1985. p. 2. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  4. ↑ "1987 election results". The Burlington Free Press. March 4, 1985. p. 11. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  5. ↑ "Sweeny Is Tops in Race In North End". The Burlington Free Press. March 5, 1980. p. 8. Archived from the original on June 9, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  6. ↑ "Sanders Supporters Hold Six Board Seats". Rutland Herald . March 4, 1987. p. 8. Archived from the original on June 9, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "1989 election results". The Burlington Free Press. March 9, 1989. p. 14. Archived from the original on June 9, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  8. ↑ "Clavelle wins Progressive nod". The Burlington Free Press. December 9, 1988. p. 1. Archived from the original on June 10, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  9. 1 2 "Longtime candidate wins school board seat". The Burlington Free Press . March 7, 1991. p. 14. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  10. ↑ "GOP has no takers for School Board". The Burlington Free Press . January 26, 1991. p. 15. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  11. 1 2 "Democrats won't field mayoral candidate". The Burlington Free Press . January 24, 1991. p. 9. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  12. ↑ "Kornbluh wins seat in upset". The Burlington Free Press . March 4, 1992. p. 4. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  13. 1 2 "Mayor: Foes promise a contest". The Burlington Free Press . November 15, 1992. p. 17. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  14. ↑ "Clavelle accepts Progressives' nomination". The Burlington Free Press . December 10, 1992. p. 5. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  15. ↑ "Clavelle seeks his third term". The Burlington Free Press . January 22, 1993. p. 3. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  16. ↑ "Brian Burns Gets Democrats' Nod". The Burlington Free Press . January 24, 1985. p. 1. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. ↑ "Issues, Images Highlight City Mayor Race". The Burlington Free Press . January 25, 1987. p. 17. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
  18. ↑ "GOP supports Northgate tenants". The Burlington Free Press . January 25, 1989. p. 6. Archived from the original on June 10, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  19. ↑ "GOP to announce mayoral candidate". The Burlington Free Press . January 14, 1993. p. 5. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  20. 1 2 "Brownell takes on Clavelle". The Burlington Free Press . January 15, 1993. p. 3. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  21. ↑ "Brownell accepts nomination". The Burlington Free Press . January 21, 1993. p. 3. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  22. ↑ "Campaign manager named Brownell's aide". The Burlington Free Press . May 26, 1993. p. 3. Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  23. ↑ "Chioffi captures Democratic nod by mere 5 votes". The Burlington Free Press. January 12, 1989. p. 1. Archived from the original on June 10, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  24. 1 2 "For mayor, Democrats back 'none of the above'". The Burlington Free Press . January 25, 1993. p. 10. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  25. 1 2 "Democratic councilors ponder mayoral vote". The Burlington Free Press . February 28, 1993. p. 12. Archived from the original on December 3, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. 1 2 3 "Burlington's police union backs Brownell". The Burlington Free Press . February 26, 1993. p. 16. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  27. ↑ "Candidate forum". The Burlington Free Press . February 16, 1993. p. 3. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  28. ↑ "Clavelle hammered at Burlington debate". The Burlington Free Press . February 12, 1993. p. 5. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  29. ↑ "Clavelle attacks Brownell in debate". The Burlington Free Press . February 17, 1993. p. 5. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  30. ↑ "Campaign fundraising". Rutland Herald . March 13, 1993. p. 17. Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  31. ↑ "Campaigns take divergent paths". The Burlington Free Press . February 26, 1993. p. 13. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  32. ↑ "Brownell Wins". The Burlington Free Press . March 3, 1993. p. 1. Archived from the original on June 11, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  33. ↑ "Burlington". Rutland Herald . March 3, 1993. p. 8. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  34. ↑ "The Elephant in the Room: Are Burlington Republicans a Dying Breed?". Seven Days . February 7, 2018. Archived from the original on June 13, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2021.
  35. ↑ "GOP adds third seat on council". The Burlington Free Press . March 3, 1993. p. 8. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  36. ↑ "Republicans win City Council seat". The Burlington Free Press . May 26, 1993. p. 13. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  37. ↑ "Poll: Clavelle holds lead over Brownell". The Burlington Free Press . February 24, 1993. p. 1. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  38. 1 2 Statement of Votes Annual City Meeting (Report). Burlington, Vermont. March 2, 1993. p. 225.
  39. ↑ "Sanders back McCormack in Rutland". The Burlington Free Press . February 23, 1993. p. 12. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  40. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 "Clavelle Endorsements". The Burlington Free Press . February 24, 1993. p. 11. Archived from the original on June 12, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
  41. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Clavelle Endorsements". The Burlington Free Press . March 1, 1993. p. 11. Archived from the original on June 20, 2021. Retrieved June 20, 2021– via Newspapers.com.
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