Vermont 2026 Election & Infrastructure Intelligence

# Vermont State Overview ## Election structure Vermont holds its primary on August 11, 2026. The package preserves unresolved primary fields rather than predicting nominees. The principal contests are governor, lieutenant governor, the at-large U.S. House seat, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, and the open auditor race. ## Data-center and AI infrastructure policy H.727 proposed a sustainable deployment framework for large data centers, generally defined at 20 MW or more. The measure advanced through the Legislature but Governor Phil Scott vetoed it. The House failed to override the veto on May 29. Scott said existing Vermont law already provides substantial authority to prevent harmful impacts. S.205 separately proposed a temporary moratorium on AI data centers and a report on their construction and operation. It remained in Senate Finance. ## Strategic issues Vermont's small electric system, winter reliability needs, clean-energy targets, water resources, rural land-use system, broadband needs, and limited industrial tax base make large-load projects unusually consequential. The core questions are who pays for grid upgrades, whether new load changes power procurement, how water and wastewater are measured, whether Act 250 review is sufficient, and how local governments participate. ## Polling No reliable independent public polling was located for the principal statewide or federal races as of August 3, 2026. The package therefore states No verified public poll.

Race	Status	Candidates	Impact	Key issue
Governor	See research	See candidate dossiers	Medium	Infrastructure and policy impact

# Vermont Race and Candidate Dossiers As of August 3, 2026. Primary fields remain unresolved until the August 11 election and certification. ## Governor Incumbent Republican Phil Scott seeks a sixth two-year term. Democrats Aly Richards and Amanda Janoo compete in the August 11 primary. **Candidates:** Phil Scott; Aly Richards; Amanda Janoo **Priority:** High ### Phil Scott (Republican) - Incumbent: Yes - Data-center posture: **Mixed** - Confidence: High - Evidence: Vetoed H.727, arguing existing Vermont law already provides substantial authority to prevent harmful impacts, while acknowledging concerns about large data centers. - Polling: No verified public poll ### Aly Richards (Democratic) - Incumbent: No - Data-center posture: **Unverified** - Confidence: Low - Evidence: No sufficiently specific direct data-center siting, utility-cost, water, or moratorium position located. - Polling: No verified public poll ### Amanda Janoo (Democratic) - Incumbent: No - Data-center posture: **Unverified** - Confidence: Low - Evidence: No sufficiently specific direct data-center siting, utility-cost, water, or moratorium position located. - Polling: No verified public poll ## Lieutenant Governor Republican incumbent John Rodgers is unopposed in his primary. Three Democrats compete for nomination. **Candidates:** John Rodgers; Esther Charlestin; Molly Gray; Ryan McLaren **Priority:** Medium ### John Rodgers (Republican) - Incumbent: Yes - Data-center posture: **Unverified** - Confidence: Low - Evidence: No sufficiently specific direct position located. - Polling: No verified public poll ### Esther Charlestin (Democratic) - Incumbent: No - Data-center posture: **Unverified** - Confidence: Low - Evidence: No sufficiently specific direct position located. - Polling: No verified public poll ### Molly Gray (Democratic) - Incumbent: No - Data-center posture: **Unverified** - Confidence: Low - Evidence: No sufficiently specific direct position located. - Polling: No verified public poll ### Ryan McLaren (Democratic) - Incumbent: No - Data-center posture: **Unverified** - Confidence: Low - Evidence: No sufficiently specific direct position located. - Polling: No verified public poll ## U.S. House At-Large Democratic incumbent Becca Balint is unopposed. Republicans Gerald Malloy and Mark Coester compete August 11. **Candidates:** Becca Balint; Gerald Malloy; Mark Coester **Priority:** High ### Becca Balint (Democratic) - Incumbent: Yes - Data-center posture: **Unverified** - Confidence: Low - Evidence: Broader climate and consumer-protection record noted, but no sufficiently specific Vermont data-center framework located. - Polling: No verified public poll ### Gerald Malloy (Republican) - Incumbent: No - Data-center posture: **Unverified** - Confidence: Low - Evidence: No sufficiently specific direct position located. - Polling: No verified public poll ### Mark Coester (Republican) - Incumbent: No - Data-center posture: **Unverified** - Confidence: Low -

# Research Gaps and Refresh Rules 1. Refresh the official candidate field daily through primary certification. 2. Replace primary fields with certified nominees immediately after certification. 3. Search daily for independent polling and label pollster, sponsor, dates, sample, and mode. 4. Refresh campaign endorsements, finance, and direct data-center statements weekly. 5. Monitor any successor to H.727, implementation under existing Act 250 and utility law, and municipal proposals. 6. Do not infer a posture from party affiliation alone. Keep Unverified unless direct evidence exists. 7. Preserve separate fields for AI policy, data-center siting, electricity cost allocation, water, tax incentives, and local authority.