1995 Burlington, Vermont mayoral election

none July 2021 July 2021 1995 Burlington, Vermont mayoral election File:Flag of Burlington, Vermont (1990-2017).jpg presidential no 1993 Burlington, Vermont mayoral election 1993 1997 Burlington, Vermont mayoral election 1997 March 7, 1995 160x160px Peter Clavelle Progressive Coalition (Vermont) 5,055 43.00% 160x160px Peter Brownell Republican Party (United States) 4,815 40.96% 160x160px Paul Lafayette Democratic Party (United States) 1,793 15.25% 1995 Burlington, Vermont mayoral election by city council district.svg 200px Results by city council district Clavelle: #9e3d3c Clavelle—60–70% #c64c4b Clavelle—50–60% #cc5e5d Clavelle—40–50% Brownell: #E27F7F Brownell—50–60% #FFB2B2 Brownell—40–50% Mayor of Burlington Peter Brownell Republican Party (United States) Peter Clavelle Progressive Coalition (Vermont) On March 7, 1995 a mayoral election was held in Burlington, Vermont, United States. Progressive Coalition nominee Peter Clavelle, the former mayor who had lost reelection in the 1993 election, defeated incumbent Republican Mayor Peter Brownell, Democratic nominee Paul Lafayette, and other candidates. Brownell ended the Progressive's control over the mayoralty with his victory in the 1993 election, but during his tenure the Progressives gained control over the city council. Michael Monte and Sharon Bushor, independent members of the city council, considered running for the mayoralty with the Progressive nomination, but declined after Clavelle announced his campaign. Lafayette, the Democratic mayoral nominee from the 1987 election, ran in the election. Clavelle won in the election with a plurality of the vote after outspending Brownell and Lafayette. His victory was attributed to Brownell and Lafayette splitting the vote and his campaign organization. He was the first mayor since James Edmund Burke in the 1933 election to return to the position after losing reelection. Brownell is the most recent Republican to have served as mayor of Burlington. Background Peter Brownell's victory in the 1993 election against Progressive Coalition Mayor Peter Clavelle was the first time a Republican had won Burlington's mayoralty since Edward A. Keenan left office in 1965, and ended the Progressive's control over the mayoralty which started with Bernie Sanders' victory in the 1981 election.March 3, 1993 Brownell Wins 1 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39879920/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220518201630/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39879920/the-burlington-free-press/ May 18, 2022 Newspapers.com The Progressive Coalition gained control of the city council after the 1994 election after gaining two seats and having three independent members caucus with them.March 10, 2002 City GOP gains spirit, not seats 11 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79426814/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220518203029/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79426814/the-burlington-free-press/ May 18, 2022 Newspapers.comMarch 2, 1994 Voters Demonstrate Mood of Generosity 1 Rutland Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79478986/rutland-daily-herald/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220518203224/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79478986/rutland-daily-herald/ May 18, 2022 Newspapers.com During the 1994 elections there were two ballot initiatives to increase taxes, one was a $3.5 tax increase and another was a $1.26 school tax increase, and Brownell supported both ballot measures, but both were defeated in the election.January 21, 1994 Brownell supports 6¢ tax increase 15 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79479286/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220518203735/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79479286/the-burlington-free-press/ May 18, 2022 Newspapers.comMarch 2, 1994 Tax measures go down to defeat in Burlington 17 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79479292/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220518203940/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79479292/the-burlington-free-press/ May 18, 2022 Newspapers.com Campaign Candidates Democratic Paul Lafayette, a Democratic member of the city council who ran in the 1987 election, announced that he would run for the Democratic mayoral nomination on November 17, 1994, and formally launched his campaign on January 3, 1995.January 4, 1995 6-year city councilor joins 6-man race to be mayor 13 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102108063/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220518213530/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102108063/the-burlington-free-press/ May 18, 2022 Newspapers.com The Democrats gave Lafayette at their caucus on January 12, after former Governor Philip H. Hoff nominated him.January 13, 1995 City Democrats endorse Lafayette 17 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102123631/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220519020125/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102123631/the-burlington-free-press/ May 19, 2022 Newspapers.com Progressive Coalition Clavelle announced on November 17, 1994, that he would seek the Progressive Coalition's mayoral nomination.November 18, 1994 Clavelle wants mayoral rematch 1 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102111788/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220518223308/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102111788/the-burlington-free-press/ May 18, 2022 Newspapers.com Michael Monte, an independent member of the city council, announced on November 21, that he would not run in the mayoral election and would instead support Clavelle stating that he "only considered running for mayor if Peter Clavelle didn't throw his hat in the ring". Sharon Bushor, another independent member of the city council, announced on November 23, that she would not run for the Progressive Coalition's nomination and gave her support to Clavelle.November 24, 1994 Bushor drops out of mayoral race 19 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102105280/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220518205934/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102105280/the-burlington-free-press/ May 18, 2022 Newspapers.com Clavelle received the Progressive Coalition's nomination at its caucus on November 29, after being nominated by Bushor and formally launched his campaign on January 7, 1995.November 30, 1994 Clavelle candidacy official 15 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102165471/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220519202715/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102165471/the-burlington-free-press/ May 19, 2022 Newspapers.comDecember 1, 1994 Clavelle Officially Running for Mayor 14 Rutland Herald https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102165778/rutland-daily-herald/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220519203141/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102165778/rutland-daily-herald/ May 19, 2022 Newspapers.com Republican Brownell announced that he would seek reelection on January 9, 1995, and was given the Republican nomination at the party's caucus on January 18, after being nominated by Sara Gear, a member of the Vermont Senate.January 10, 1995 Brownell to seek re-election 15 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39883099/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220518204219/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39883099/the-burlington-free-press/ May 18, 2022 Newspapers.comJanuary 19, 1995 GOP: '2 more years' for Brownell 3 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39883099/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220519190209/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102159038/the-burlington-free-press/ May 19, 2022 Newspapers.com Other Haik Bedrosian, who ran in the 1991 election, announced that he would run for mayor as an independent on November 23, 1994.November 22, 1994 Monte decides against run for mayor's seat 3 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102104913/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220518205512/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102104913/the-burlington-free-press/ May 18, 2022 Newspapers.com However, he dropped out and ran to succeed Brian Pine, a Progressive Coalition member of the city council, who was retiring due to the upcoming birth of his first child.January 27, 1995 2 seek council seat held by Progressive 17 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102106068/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220518210752/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102106068/the-burlington-free-press/ May 18, 2022 Newspapers.com Bedrosian defeated Democratic nominee John Patch in the election.March 8, 1995 Progressives hold council 11 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102106171/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220518210953/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102106171/the-burlington-free-press/ May 18, 2022 Newspapers.com Michael Brown ran as an independent and Louis Beaudin ran under the A Concerned Voter ballot line.January 16, 1995 Experience changes Brownell 13 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102123364/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220519015539/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102123364/the-burlington-free-press/ May 19, 2022 Newspapers.com Paul Cook, who previously ran for mayor in the 1993 election, ran on the People for Effective Efficient Government ballot line, but dropped out and endorsed Clavelle although Cook remained on the ballot as they were already printed.February 25, 1995 Mayor: Candidates offer alternative 15 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102125275/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220519200637/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102125275/the-burlington-free-press/ May 19, 2022 Newspapers.comMarch 3, 1995 Mayoral hopeful drops out of race 3 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102164148/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220519200915/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102164148/the-burlington-free-press/ May 19, 2022 Newspapers.com General election There was a public forum held by the Downtown Burlington Development Association and attended by Brownell, Clavelle, and Lafayette. During the forum Beaudin took control of the microphone to complain about the exclusion of other mayoral candidates from the forum.February 2, 1995 Contenders press Brownell on economy 13 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102124347/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220519021406/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102124347/the-burlington-free-press/ May 19, 2022 Newspapers.com Another forum was held by the Ward 4 and 7 Neighborhood Planning Assembly with all of the mayoral candidates in attendance.February 17, 1995 Hopefuls pitch services to New North End 19 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102124865/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220519022213/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102124865/the-burlington-free-press/ May 19, 2022 Newspapers.com There were three debates held during the campaign.February 21, 1995 Candidates converge on New North End 13 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102162479/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220519194645/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102162479/the-burlington-free-press/ May 19, 2022 Newspapers.com During the campaign Clavelle had raised $41,020 and spent $40,644, Brownell raised $22,263 and spent $16,527, and Paul Lafayette raised $16,152 and spent $16,040. 1,166 people donated to Clavelle's campaign, 283 to Brownell's campaign, and 200 to Lafayette's campaign. Lafayette received an $1,000 donation from Alan Bjerke, a member of the Vermont House of Representatives, and a $425 donation from Hoff.March 21, 1995 Clavelle coffer tops opponents' 13 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79444290/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220518223819/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79444290/the-burlington-free-press/ May 18, 2022 Newspapers.com During the 1993 campaign Clavelle had 220 volunteers working on his campaign while during the 1995 campaign he had over 300 volunteers.February 26, 1993 Campaigns take divergent paths 13 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79405868/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220519185036/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/79405868/the-burlington-free-press/ May 19, 2022 Newspapers.comMarch 3, 1995 Clavelle gears up for last leg of race 3 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102125915/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220519185202/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102125915/the-burlington-free-press/ May 19, 2022 Newspapers.com Clavelle won the election and placed first in four wards while Brownell placed first in three wards.March 7, 1995 Statement of Votes Annual City Meeting Burlington, Vermont 258 Clavelle received more than the forty percent of the popular vote required to avoid a runoff election.February 23, 1995 Clavelle wants consolidation 7 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102163751/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220519200355/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102163751/the-burlington-free-press/ May 19, 2022 Newspapers.com The composition of the city council changed from five Progressives, four Democrats, three independents, and two Republicans to five Progressives, four Republicans, three independents, and two Democrats after the election. Clavelle was the first mayor of Burlington since James Edmund Burke in the 1933 election to return to the position after losing reelection.November 23, 1994 No end to politics in this state 15 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102165177/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220519202308/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102165177/the-burlington-free-press/ May 19, 2022 Newspapers.com Brownell is the most recent Republican to have served as mayor of Burlington.February 7, 2018 The Elephant in the Room: Are Burlington Republicans a Dying Breed? Seven Days https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/the-elephant-in-the-room-are-burlington-republicans-a-dying-breed/Content?oid=12461766 live https://web.archive.org/web/20220519185621/https://www.sevendaysvt.com/vermont/the-elephant-in-the-room-are-burlington-republicans-a-dying-breed/Content?oid=12461766 May 19, 2022 Lafayette stated on March 3, that his supporters were tactical voting for either Brownell or Clavelle and not for him as they were afraid of splitting the vote and allowing the candidate they liked less to win.March 4, 1995 Lafayette makes promise of harmony 19 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102125929/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220519185409/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102125929/the-burlington-free-press/ May 19, 2022 Newspapers.com Garrison Nelson, a political science professor at the University of Vermont, stated that Clavelle won due to his campaign organization and Lafayette splitting Brownell's vote.March 8, 1995 Clavelle squeaks by Brownell 1 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102162346/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220519194444/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102162346/the-burlington-free-press/ May 19, 2022 Newspapers.com Results 1995 Burlington, Vermont mayoral election Progressive Coalition (Vermont) Peter Clavelle 5,055 43.00% -2.46% Republican Party (United States) Peter Brownell (incumbent) 4,815 40.96% -11.52% Democratic Party (United States) Paul Lafayette 1,793 15.25% +15.25% Independent politician Michael Brown 42 0.36% +0.36% A Concerned Voter Louis Beaudin 37 0.31% +0.31% People for Effective Efficient Government Paul A. Cook 14 0.12% -0.32% 11,756 100.00% Results by ward Ward Clavelle Votes Brownell Votes Lafayette Votes Brown Votes Beaudin Votes Cook Votes Total votes VotesWard 154.86%76833.57%47010.93%1530.07%10.57%80.00%0100.00%1,400Ward 263.98%69820.99%22913.20%1441.37%150.37%40.09%1100.00%1,091Ward 357.44%83024.64%35616.96%2450.55%80.07%10.35%5100.00%1,445Ward 429.00%64556.29%1,25214.16%3150.09%20.31%70.13%3100.00%2,224Ward 538.07%74742.97%84318.30%3590.36%70.31%60.00%0100.00%1,962Ward 647.76%79941.54%6959.98%1670.18%30.36%60.18%3100.00%1,673Ward 728.96%56849.46%97020.91%4100.31%60.25%50.10%2100.00%1,961 Endorsements Brownell endorsements Newspapers The Burlington Free PressFebruary 27, 1995 Brownell for re-election 4 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102167797/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220519210207/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102167797/the-burlington-free-press/ May 19, 2022 Newspapers.com Clavelle endorsements Federal officials Bernie Sanders, member of the United States House of Representatives from Vermont's at-large congressional districtJanuary 8, 1995 Former mayor kicks off campaign 9 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102106390/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220518211316/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102106390/the-burlington-free-press/ May 18, 2022 Newspapers.com Local officials Matha Abbott, member of the Burlington, Vermont city councilFebruary 26, 1995 Reappraisal burden 36 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102166809/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220519204747/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102166809/the-burlington-free-press/ May 19, 2022 Newspapers.com Sharon Bushor, member of the Burlington, Vermont city council Michael Monte, member of the Burlington, Vermont city council Organizations Burlington Police AssociationMarch 3, 1995 Brownell likely headed for defeat 1 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102167952/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220519210402/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102167952/the-burlington-free-press/ May 19, 2022 Newspapers.com Champlain Valley Labor Council, coalition of AFL–CIO affiliated unionsJanuary 24, 1995 Unions endorse Clavelle 5 The Burlington Free Press https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102166499/the-burlington-free-press/ live https://web.archive.org/web/20220519204311/https://www.newspapers.com/clip/102166499/the-burlington-free-press/ May 19, 2022 Newspapers.com Notable individuals Paul Cook, mayoral candidate References Category:1995 United States mayoral elections Category:1995 Vermont elections Category:March 1995 in the United States 1995 Category:20th century in Burlington, Vermont