1983 Burlington, Vermont mayoral election

none January 2025 September 2023 1983 Burlington, Vermont mayoral election presidential no 1981 Burlington, Vermont mayoral election 1981 1985 Burlington, Vermont mayoral election 1985 March 1, 1983 150x150px Bernie Sanders Independent (United States) 6,942 52.12% 150x150px Judy Stephany Democratic Party (United States) 4,086 30.68% 150x150px James Gilson Republican Party (United States) 2,292 17.21% 1983 Burlington, Vermont mayoral election by city council district.svg 200px Results by city council district Sanders: #e2807f Sanders—40–50% #c64c4b Sanders—50–60% #973636 Sanders—60–70% Stephany: #A5B0FF Stephany—40–50% Mayor of Burlington Bernie Sanders Independent politician Bernie Sanders Independent politician The 1983 Burlington, Vermont mayoral election was held March 1, 1983.March 2, 1983 Sanders Easily Re-Elected As Mayor of Burlington 1 Brattleboro Reformer https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64643399/the-brattleboro-reformer/ live https://archive.today/20201205073440/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64643399/the-brattleboro-reformer/ December 5, 2020 Clarke Rob Newspapers.com December 5, 2020 Incumbent Mayor Bernie Sanders won with 52.12% of the popular vote against Democratic nominee Judith Stephany and Republican nominee James Gilson. The Democratic Party unsuccessfully sought to give its mayoral nomination to multiple politicians before choosing Stephany, who had launched her campaign hours before the selection caucus. She would later state that her late entry into the campaign had contributed to her defeat. In a 1985 survey, three quarters of Democratic voters surveyed reported supporting Sanders in this election.Rice Tom January 1, 1985 Who Votes for a Socialist Mayor? The Case of Burlington, Vermont 3234575 10.2307/3234575 https://www.jstor.org/stable/3234575 Polity 17 4 802 153889856 subscription Candidates Independent Following his election in the 1981 race, Mayor Bernie Sanders faced difficulties with the Burlington city council, with him being opposed by eleven of the thirteen members of the board of aldermen. The council opposed measures proposed by Sanders, overrode his vetoes on legislation, and refused to assent to his political nominations.November 27, 2019 Bernie Sanders vs. The Machine The New York Times https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/27/us/politics/bernie-sanders-mayor-burlington-vt.html live https://archive.today/20201205080418/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/27/us/politics/bernie-sanders-mayor-burlington-vt.html December 5, 2020 Burns Alexander Newspapers.com December 5, 2020 Sanders formed a coalition between independents and the Citizens Party, with this coalition winning several seats in the 1982 city council elections.December 3, 1982 Sanders will make it official 16 Bennington Banner United Press International https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64644027/bennington-banner/ live https://archive.today/20201205081405/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64644027/bennington-banner/ December 5, 2020 Newspapers.com December 5, 2020 Sanders announced on December 3, 1982, that he would seek reelection as mayor at Burlington's city hall.December 3, 1982 Associated Press Sanders Announces He's Running Again 1 Barre Montpelier Times Argus https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64644044/the-times-argus/ live https://archive.today/20201205081755/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64644044/the-times-argus/ December 5, 2020 Newspapers.com December 5, 2020 On January 22, 1983, the Citizens Party voted unanimously to endorse Sanders, although the incumbent ran as an independent.January 23, 1983 Citizens Party Endorses Sanders 2B The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-burlington-free-press/64644113/ Mackay Scott live https://web.archive.org/web/20240119013538/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-burlington-free-press/64644113/ January 19, 2024 Newspapers.com He spent $33,000 during the campaign.March 14, 1983 Sanders spent $33,000 United Press International 12 Bennington Banner https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64749804/bennington-banner/ live https://archive.today/20201206202911/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64749804/bennington-banner/ December 6, 2020 Newspapers.com December 6, 2020 Democratic Judith B. Stephany, Minority Leader of the Vermont House of Representatives William H. Williams, gas station owner Democratic candidatesThe images in this gallery are in the public domain or are otherwise free to use. This gallery should not be construed as a list of major or noteworthy candidates. If a candidate is not included in this gallery, it is only because there are no high-quality, copyright-free photographs of them available on the Internet. disclaimer center packed 170 90 File:JudithStephany.png House Minority LeaderJudith B. Stephany File:WilliamHWilliams.png Gas station ownerWilliam H. Williams The Democratic Party of Burlington, Vermont, faced difficulties finding a mayoral candidate, as state senator Thomas Crowley, Chittenden County Chief Deputy State's Attorney Harold Eaton Jr. and Alderman James Burns all declined to run for the Democratic nomination.January 23, 1983 City Democrats Find A Candidate Bookchin Debbie 33 Rutland Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64642144/rutland-daily-herald/ live https://archive.today/20201205064422/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64642144/rutland-daily-herald/ December 5, 2020 Newspapers.com December 5, 2020 State senator Esther Sorrell considered running for the Democratic nomination, and an unsuccessful attempt was made to draft Mark Kaplan, also a state senator.August 22, 1982 Esther For Mayor? 11 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64640335/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://archive.today/20201205055401/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64640335/the-burlington-free-press/ December 5, 2020 Newspapers.com December 5, 2020January 10, 1983 Demos To Push Kaplan Melvin Don 15 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64640997/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://archive.today/20201205060632/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64640997/the-burlington-free-press/ December 5, 2020 Newspapers.com December 5, 2020January 11, 1983 Democrats still need candidate 16 Bennington Banner United Press International https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64641040/bennington-banner/ live https://archive.today/20201205060636/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64641040/bennington-banner/ December 5, 2020 Newspapers.com December 5, 2020 Lieutenant Governor Madeleine Kunin also stated that she was not interesting in running for mayor despite polling showing her defeating Sanders.December 31, 1982 Kunin Says No To Mayor Race In Spite of Poll 9 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64714829/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://archive.today/20201206062605/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64714829/the-burlington-free-press/ December 6, 2020 Mackay Scott Newspapers.com December 6, 2020 Alderwoman Joyce DeSautels frequently announced her wishes to run but was rendered an untenable candidate following her defeat to a Sanders-backed candidate in the 1982 city council elections and her subsequent criticism of the Burlington Democratic apparatus, with DeSautels accusing the party of being too accommodating with the mayor.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/95147639/desautels/ Top Democrats blasted by ousted Alderman April 16, 1982 August 17, 2022 Newspapers.com Barre Montpelier Times Argus Bookchin Debbie William H. Williams, a little-known gas station owner, was the first person to announce a campaign for the mayoralty when he announced that he would seek the Democratic nomination in August 1982.Mackay Scott August 14, 1982 Gas Station Owner Wants To Be Mayor of Burlington 15 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64640350/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://archive.today/20201205055201/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64640350/the-burlington-free-press/ December 5, 2020 Newspapers.com December 5, 2020 State Representative Judith B. Stephany, who was serving as minority leader in the Vermont House of Representatives, announced her mayoral campaign hours before the Burlington Democratic caucus was set to select the party's mayoral nominee. Stephany won the Democratic nomination against Williams by a margin of three to one.January 19, 1983 Rep. Stephany Is Democratic Candidate for Mayor Bookchin Debbie 9 Rutland Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64640788/rutland-daily-herald/ live https://archive.today/20201205060905/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64640788/rutland-daily-herald/ December 5, 2020 Newspapers.com December 5, 2020 Stephany initially chose to retain her seat and leadership position in the House of Representatives, but later announced that she would resign on January 30, 1983, to campaign for mayor.January 24, 1983 Stephany Quitting House for All-Out Campaign 1 The Burlington Free Press Page Candace https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64642410/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://archive.today/20201205065031/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64642410/the-burlington-free-press/ December 5, 2020 Newspapers.com December 5, 2020 Republican James Gilson, the chairman of the Burlington School Board of Commissioners, announced on November 8, 1982, that he would run for the mayoralty as a Republican. He formally announced his candidacy at Burlington's city hall on November 12.November 9, 1982 School Chairman Throwing Hat Into Mayoral Contest 19 The Burlington Free Press Mackay Scott https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56888814/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://archive.today/20200807193113/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56888814/the-burlington-free-press/ August 7, 2020 Newspapers.com December 5, 2020November 9, 1982 Bernie Sanders Gets Republican Competition 2 Brattleboro Reformer https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56888953/the-brattleboro-reformer/ United Press International live https://archive.today/20200807193446/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56888953/the-brattleboro-reformer/ August 7, 2020 Newspapers.com December 5, 2020 Gilson won the Republican nomination with unanimous support on January 20, 1983.January 21, 1983 Mackay Scott Gilson Is Easy Winner Of GOP Mayoral Nod 13 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64641343/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://archive.today/20201205061529/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64641343/the-burlington-free-press/ December 5, 2020 Newspapers.com December 5, 2020 General election Sanders proposed a campaign spending limit of $15,000, but Gilson rejected the offer.February 2, 1983 Gilson Rejects Campaign Fund Limit 17 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64643579/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://archive.today/20201205074550/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64643579/the-burlington-free-press/ December 5, 2020 Newspapers.com December 5, 2020 Gilson accused Sanders of being anti-business and fiscally irresponsible, claiming that after-school programs Sanders had started were too expensive.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/101037965/barbs/ Three Mayoral Hopefuls Trade Political Barbs Mackay Scott February 11, 1983 May 5, 2022 The Burlington Free Press Stephany attempted to distance herself from the mayoralty of Gordon Paquette, which was seen as old-fashioned and unpopular; her campaign frequently stressed Sanders' poor relations with the Burlington board of aldermen, claiming that this made him an ineffective legislator. In spite of her generally liberal record, Stephany was opposed to abortion, which drew ire to her campaign from the feminist movement.February 13, 1983 Stephany Walks a Political Tightrope 14 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100998652/stephany-1983-campaign/ live https://archive.today/20220102132320/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91636862/stephany-abortion/ January 2, 2022 Newspapers.com May 4, 2022 Polling Poll sourcePoll sample Sanders Stephany Gilson UndecidedWDOTFebruary 22, 1983 Polls Show Sanders Ahead; But Who's Second? Bookchin Debbie 4 Rutland Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64643056/rutland-daily-herald/ live https://archive.today/20201205071720/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64643056/rutland-daily-herald/ December 5, 2020 Newspapers.com December 5, 2020 400 people33.75%| 17.00% | 10.00% | 39.75% |- |WDOT |400 people | |41.75%'' | 22.50% | 11.75% | - |- |Straw poll |380 people | |50.50%'| 11.60% | 10.00% | 27.90% |- |Straw poll |380 people | |53.70%''' 13.70% 11.60% 21.00% Endorsements James Gilson (R) Statewide officials Stephan A. Morse, Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives State officials George Coy, state senator and chairman of the Vermont Republican PartyJanuary 21, 1983 Morse, Coy, Endorse Gilson's Upset Bid Goddard Kevin 1 Brattleboro Reformer https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64641487/the-brattleboro-reformer/ live https://archive.today/20201205061807/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64641487/the-brattleboro-reformer/ December 5, 2020 Newspapers.com December 5, 2020 Helen Riehle, state representativehttps://www.newspapers.com/clip/120140889/three-campaigning/ Three Hopefuls Campaigning Down to Wire Eley Rob The Burlington Free Press February 28, 1983 15 March 4, 2023 Bernie Sanders (I) Labor unions American Federation of State, County and Municipal EmployeesJanuary 26, 1983 City Police Union Endorses Sanders; Crowley Upset 11 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64748022/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://archive.today/20201206200745/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64748022/the-burlington-free-press/ December 6, 2020 Mackay Scott Newspapers.com December 6, 2020 Organizations Citizens Party Judith Stephany (D) State officials Brian D. Burns, former Lieutenant Governor of Vermont Philip H. Hoff, former Governor of VermontJanuary 19, 1983 Democrat Judith Stephany Challenges Mayor Sanders 10 The Brattleboro Reformer https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91664925/the-brattleboro-reformer/ live https://archive.today/20220102132722/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91664925/the-brattleboro-reformer/ January 2, 2022 Newspapers.com January 2, 2022 Local officials Francis J. Cain, former Mayor of Burlington Newspapers and publications The Burlington Free PressFebruary 20, 1983 Stephany Should Be Choice of Voters for Mayor 10 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91665015/free-press-endorses-stephany/ live https://archive.today/20220102132824/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/91665015/free-press-endorses-stephany/ January 2, 2022 Newspapers.com January 2, 2022 Results 1983 Burlington, Vermont mayoral electionMarch 2, 1983 1983 election results 17 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56886460/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://archive.today/20200807185644/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/56886460/the-burlington-free-press/ August 7, 2020 Newspapers.com August 7, 2020 Independent (politician) Bernie Sanders (incumbent) 6,942 52.12% +8.29% Democratic Party (United States) Judith Stephany 4,086 30.68% -13.04% Republican Party (United States) James Gilson 2,292 17.21% +17.21% 13,320 100.00% Results by ward Ward Sanders Votes Stephany Votes Gilson Votes Total votes VotesWard 157.83%1,06729.65%54712.52%231100.00%1,845Ward 267.71%1,21021.66%38710.63%190100.00%1,787Ward 369.83%1,22222.46%3937.71%135100.00%1,750Ward 437.91%1,39442.21%1,55219.88%731100.00%3,677Ward 548.93%1,00732.41%66718.66%384100.00%2,058Ward 647.30%1,04224.51%54028.19%621100.00%2,203 Reactions Stephany stated that her late entry into the election had contributed to her defeat, while Gilson's poor result was attributed to him being uncharismatic and a generally poor campaigner.March 2, 1983 Massive Turnout Keeps Mayor Sanders in Office 3 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64643449/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://archive.today/20201205073738/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/64643449/the-burlington-free-press/ December 5, 2020 Newspapers.com December 5, 2020 The Socialist Mayor 24 Soifer Steven 1991 Bergin & Garvey 9780897892193 Governor of Vermont Richard Snelling, when asked about the result, attributed Sanders' victory to Stephany and Gilson adopting negative campaigns, which were traditionally ineffective in Vermont.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100914425/snelling-on-1983-burlington-election/ Snelling: Negative Campaigns Don't Work Graff Christopher March 4, 1983 May 2, 2022 The Burlington Free Press According to a survey of voters performed by political scientist Tom Rice in 1985, support for Sanders was strongest among working-class voters, with people making under $20,000 a year supporting him at significantly higher rates than those making above $20,000 a year.Rice Tom January 1, 1985 Who Votes for a Socialist Mayor? The Case of Burlington, Vermont 3234575 10.2307/3234575 Polity https://www.jstor.org/stable/3234575 17 4 798 153889856 subscription Notes References Burlington, Vermont Category:1983 Vermont elections Category:March 1983 in the United States 1983 Category:Bernie Sanders Category:20th century in Burlington, Vermont