Phil Scott is the Governor of Vermont. He assumed office on January 5, 2017. His current term ends on January 14, 2027. Scott was born in Barre, Vermont, in 1958. He attended the University of Vermont, where he studied technical education. Before entering politics, Scott co-owned his family's construction business, Dubois Construction. Scott was a member of the Vermont State Senate from 2001 to 2010, representing Washington County. During his time in the state Senate, Scott served as vice chair of the Transportation Committee and chair of the Institutions Committee. He served three terms as lieutenant governor of Vermont from 2011 to 2017 alongside Gov. Peter Shumlin. In Vermont's 2016 gubernatorial election, Scott defeated Sue Minter 53.0-44.2%. Vermont holds gubernatorial elections every two years, and Scott won the next four gubernatorial elections by double digits. In 2024, Scott said he ran for governor "because I believe too many families and employers are on the economic edge. For them to thrive and our state to prosper we must revitalize the fundamentals of a strong, healthy economy that expands the middle class, lifts wages, and attracts working families, entrepreneurs and new jobs." The Associated Press described Scott as "[a] Republican who combines fiscal conservatism with social liberalism." As governor, Scott signed legislation requiring Vermont residents to have health insurance, guaranteeing access to abortion services, and limiting state police involvement with federal immigration enforcement. Scott said he voted for Joe Biden in 2020 and Kamala Harris in 2024.
