2012 Burlington, Vermont mayoral election

On March 6, 2012, a mayoral election was held in Burlington, Vermont. Incumbent Progressive Mayor Bob Kiss declined to seek reelection. Democratic nominee Miro Weinberger defeated Republican nominee Kurt Wright and independent candidate Wanda Hines. Ranked choice voting, which was used in the two prior elections, was repealed in 2010, amid scandals and declining popularity for Kiss' administration. Kiss declined to seek reelection and the Progressives declined to run a candidate for the first time in their history. Weinberger defeated Tim Ashe, a Progressive, for the Democratic nomination and was later endorsed by former Progressive mayors Bernie Sanders and Peter Clavelle. This was the most expensive mayoral election in Burlington's history and Weinberger had the record for most expensive campaign, besting the record set in 2006. == Background == Since Bernie Sanders' election as mayor in 1981, his allies and the Vermont Progressive Party had continuously held the mayoralty except for two years. Ranked choice voting was used in the 2006 and 2009 mayoral elections, but was repealed by a referendum in 2010. David Zuckerman stated that the success of the repeal was due to Kiss' unpopularity and scandals in his administration. == Nominations == === Democratic === Nominated Miro Weinberger, developer and member of the Burlington Airport Commission Eliminated Tim Ashe, member of the Vermont Senate (2009–2021) and Burlington City Council from the 3rd ward (2004–2008) Bram Kranichfeld, member of the Burlington City Council from the 2nd ward Jason Lorber, member of the Vermont House of Representatives (2005–2013) Jason Lorber announced his campaign in August 2011, Miro Weinberger on September 13, and Bram Kranichfeld on September 14, 2011. Ashe, a Progressive, was allowed by his party's by-laws to run for the Democratic nomination, but a Democrat could not run for the Progressive nomination. Three candidate forums were held. The caucus on November 13 failed to select a winner after three rounds of balloting and a recount produced a tie between Ashe and Weinberger. Another forum was held on December 8, before Weinberger won the nomination on December 11. By October 14, Lorber raised $19,305. Weinberg raised $42,320 and spent $49,961 while seeking the Democratic nomination. === Progressive === Declined T. J. Donovan, State's Attorney of Chittenden County, Vermont (2007–2017) (Declined August 15, 2011) Bob Kiss, 41st Mayor of Burlington, Vermont (2006–2012) (Declined November 30, 2011) Incumbent Mayor Bob Kiss declined to seek reelection on November 30, 2011. The Progressives held their caucus on December 11, but postponed a decision on their mayoral nomination until January. Ashe said that he would not accept the Progressive nomination if he lost the Democratic nomination. On January 22, the caucus, which Kiss did not attend, unanimously voted to not run a mayoral candidate. This was the first time the party did not run a mayoral candidate. === Republican === Kurt Wright announced his campaign on September 20, 2011, rather than seek reelection to the city council. Tayt Brooks stepped down as chair of the Vermont Republican Party so that he could help Wright's campaign. Democratic city councilor Dave Hartnett co-chaired Wright's campaign with Republican Charlie Smith and Democratic Planning Commissioner John Ewing managed it. He received the nomination on December 11, at a caucus attended by 12 people. == Campaign == Wanda Hines launched an independent campaign on January 6, 2012. Wright was the first Republican to receive the endorsement of the Burlington Police Officers Association since Peter Brownell in 1993. All three candidates participated in a debate on February 22, that had questions asked from Twitter users. Wright called for Weinberger to join him in releasing weekly campaign finance reports and limited themselves to $40,000 in spending, but Weinberger declined. By February, Wright had raised $32,611 and spent $15,143 to be left with $16,478 on hand while Weinberger raised $67,389 and spent $63,759 to be left with $3,630 on hand. Wright criticized Weinberger for an event in Washington D.C. that raised $8,000 for his campaign. In total, Weinberger raised $126,343 and spent $125,015, Wright raised $60,358 and spent $58,261, and Hines raised $2,930. It was the most expensive mayoral election in the city's history and Weinberger broke the record for most expensive campaign, which was held by Hinda Miller's $66,758 in 2006. In the concurrent city council elections the Progressives gained one seat while the Republicans lost one. This produced a composition of 7 Democrats, 3 Progressives, 2 Republicans, and 2 independents. == Election results == == Endorsements == == References == == Works cited == "Burlington mayoral candidates' strengths, weaknesses emerge". The Burlington Free Press. February 12, 2012. p. 6C – via Newspapers.com. "Caucus: Two are left after 3 rounds". The Burlington Free Press. November 14, 2011. p. 3A – via Newspapers.com. "Free Press, #BTVSMB hosts Twitter debate". The Burlington Free Press. February 25, 2012. p. 2B – via Newspapers.com. "Mayoral debate Thursday". The Burlington Free Press. January 11, 2012. p. 1B – via Newspapers.com. "Progressives gain one council seat; GOP loses one". The Burlington Free Press. March 7, 2012. p. 4B – via Newspapers.com. "Student host Burlington mayoral debate". The Burlington Free Press. January 24, 2012. p. 3B – via Newspapers.com. "Republicans: Wright is the one". The Burlington Free Press. December 12, 2011. p. 1A – via Newspapers.com. "Vt. GOP gets new executive director". Barre Montpelier Times Argus. October 25, 2011. p. A6 – via Newspapers.com. "Welch to endorse Weinberger for mayor". The Burlington Free Press. February 21, 2012. p. 7A – via Newspapers.com. Baird, Joel (February 2, 2012). "3 candidates address topics at city forum". The Burlington Free Press. p. 1B – via Newspapers.com. Baird, Joel (January 13, 2012). "Candidates debate transportation". The Burlington Free Press. p. 1B – via Newspapers.com. Baird, Joel (January 25, 2012). "City police union endorses Wright". The Burlington Free Press. p. 1B – via Newspapers.com. Baird, Joel (December 9, 2011). "Dean picks but, oddly, can't vote". The Burlington Free Press. p. 1A – via Newspapers.com. Baird, Joel (January 13, 2012). "Debate: Transportation issues discussed". The Burlington Free Press. p. 4B – via Newspapers.com. Baird, Joel (October 7, 2011). "Democrats expand campaign for Burlington mayor". The Burlington Free Press. p. 1B – via Newspapers.com. Baird, Joel (December 12, 2011). "Democrats: No longer tied with Ashe, nominee sees 'new chapter' for Burlington". The Burlington Free Press. p. 1A – via Newspapers.com. Baird, Joel (August 16, 2011). "Donovan won't run for mayor". The Burlington Free Press. p. 1B – via Newspapers.com. Baird, Joel (January 7, 2012). "Former mayor Clavelle endorses Weinberger". The Burlington Free Press. p. 3A – via Newspapers.com. Baird, Joel (December 9, 2011). "Forum sets stage for caucus". The Burlington Free Press. p. 1B – via Newspapers.com. Baird, Joel (January 7, 2012). "Hines: Candidate offers another voice". The Burlington Free Press. p. 3A – via Newspapers.com. Baird, Joel (February 17, 2012). "Independent councilor Bushor endorses Wright". The Burlington Free Press. p. 4A – via Newspapers.com. Baird, Joel (November 14, 2011). "It's now a real race". The Burlington Free Press. p. 1A – via Newspapers.com. Baird, Joel (February 3, 2012). "Jabs exchanged at mayoral debate". 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"Instant run-off voting experiment ends in Burlington". Rutland Herald. p. B3 – via Newspapers.com. Barlow, Daniel (April 27, 2010). "IRV". Rutland Herald. p. B4 – via Newspapers.com. Briggs, John (November 20, 2011). "Caucus: Ashe candidacy perceived as threat to party by some key Democrats". The Burlington Free Press. p. 2B – via Newspapers.com. Briggs, John (December 3, 2008). "Independent Smith announces run for mayor". The Burlington Free Press. p. 1B – via Newspapers.com. Briggs, John (December 1, 2011). "Kiss administration experienced ups, downs". The Burlington Free Press. p. 2C – via Newspapers.com. Briggs, John (October 21, 2011). "Lorber discloses mayoral campaign contributions". The Burlington Free Press. p. 1B – via Newspapers.com. Donoghue, Mike (December 12, 2011). "Progressives: Left at the altar without Ashe". The Burlington Free Press. p. 1A – via Newspapers.com. Donoghue, Mike (December 12, 2011). "Progressives: Party postpones choice". 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The Burlington Free Press. p. 1B – via Newspapers.com. Hemingway, Sam (February 2, 2012). "Weinberger taps D.C. contributors". The Burlington Free Press. p. 1C – via Newspapers.com. Walsh, Molly (February 11, 2012). "Firefighters won't endorse a candidate". The Burlington Free Press. p. 1A – via Newspapers.com.