Tim Ashe and Nicholas Graeter Credit: Courtesy

Deputy State Auditor Tim Ashe won the Democratic nomination for Vermont auditor of accounts Tuesday, defeating first-time candidate Nicholas Graeter.

The primary offered voters two distinct visions for the office. Ashe is a former state senator whose goals are rooted in auditing experience. Graeter, who works as an accounting specialist for Heritage Auto Group, was focused on expanding public engagement with the auditor’s work.

Early unofficial results showed Ashe had a commanding lead over both Graeter and another candidate, Dan Towle, who remained on the ballot despite dropping out of the contest.

Ashe, who previously served as Senate president pro tempore and has worked as the state’s deputy auditor since 2021, will advance to the November general election to succeed Democrat Doug Hoffer. Hoffer is not seeking reelection after more than a decade in office.

Staff writer Hannah Bassett holds a B.A. in International Relations from Tufts University and an M.A. in Journalism from Stanford University. She came to Seven Days in December 2024 from the Arizona Center for Investigative Reporting, where she covered...