The Latest: Vermont governor race to pit Minter versus Scott

MONTPELIER, Vt. – The Latest on Vermont primary election. 10:30 p.m.

The 2016 race for governor of Vermont will feature Democrat Sue Minter versus Republican Phil Scott. Meanwhile Democrat David Zuckerman will face Republican Randy Brock for lieutenant governor.

The Associated Press called the Republican primary for Scott, the three-term lieutenant governor, who got about 60 per cent of the vote to 40 per cent for retired businessman and political newcomer Bruce Lisman.

With 82 per cent of precincts reporting, the AP called the Democratic primary for Minter. The former lawmaker and transportation secretary was outpolling former lawmaker and Google executive Matt Dunne by a margin of 51 per cent to 38 per cent, with former state Sen. Peter Galbraith trailing with about 9 per cent.

Zuckerman topped the Democratic field for lieutenant governor, with about 44 per cent of the vote, versus 38 per cent for House Speaker Shap Smith and 18 per cent for Rep. Kesha Ram.

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9:28 p.m.

Lt. Gov. Phil Scott has secured the Republican nomination for governor of Vermont, easily beating retired businessman and political newcomer Bruce Lisman. The Associated Press called the race at about 9:20 p.m.

With 54 per cent of precincts reporting, Scott maintained a lead over Lisman of about 60 per cent of the vote versus 40 per cent for Lisman.

Democrat Sue Minter holds a smaller lead over Matt Dunne, with Peter Galbraith well behind. An AP tally has Minter receiving nearly 51 per cent of the vote to 37 per cent for Dunne.

Meanwhile incumbent Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy has easily beat back a nomination challenge from Cris Ericson. The Associated Press called that race shortly after polls closed for Leahy, who has served in the U.S. Senate since 1975.

In the race for the Democratic nomination for lieutenant governor, state Sen. David Zuckerman holds an early lead over House Speaker Shap Smith and Rep. Kesha Ram.

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7 p.m.

Polls have closed for Vermont’s mid-summer primary, and Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos says he thinks when the ballots are counted, about 100,000 voters will have turned out.

The prediction appeared to be playing out at least in Montpelier, where City Clerk John Odum said early voting ballots counted before Tuesday’s polls opened exceeded the total of city residents who cast ballots in a less competitive primary two years ago.

Odum said during the afternoon that turnout had been steady all day.

Democratic gubernatorial candidates include former lawmakers Matt Dunne, Peter Galbraith, and Sue Minter, as well as H. Brooke Paige and Cris Ericson. Lt. Gov. Phil Scott faces retired businessman Bruce Lisman for the Republican nomination.

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12:06 p.m.

Vermont Secretary of State Jim Condos says he thinks about 100,000 voters will turn out to choose nominees for governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer and some legislative races.

Condos says that would be about 20 per cent of eligible voters casting ballots in Tuesday’s primary election.

He says he thinks contested races for both the Democratic and Republican party gubernatorial nominations are driving interest.

Democratic gubernatorial candidates include former lawmakers Matt Dunne, Peter Galbraith, and Sue Minter, as well as two others. Lt. Gov. Phil Scott faces retired businessman Bruce Lisman for the Republican nomination.

Three Democratic lawmakers — Rep. Kesha Ram, House Speaker Shap Smith and Sen. David Zuckerman — are vying for their party’s nomination for lieutenant governor. The winner of that race will face Republican Randy Brock in November.