In their final pre-election campaign finance reports, Republican Gov. Phil Scott continued to outpace Democratic challenger Christine Hallquist. As has been true throughout the campaign, both candidates raised money at a relatively modest pace compared to gubernatorial campaigns in recent years.
Hallquist did raise enough money to underwrite a limited TV ad buy in the closing days of the race — her first foray into television. According to campaign manager Cameron Russell, her ads will feature endorsements from Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), U.S. Rep. Peter Welch (D-Vt.), former vice president Joe Biden and others.
Scott reported raising nearly $127,000 between October 15 and November 2, bringing his fundraising total to $688,521. At the same point in the 2016 campaign, Scott had raised close to $1.5 million.
Hallquist reported financial contributions of $94,049 in the most recent period, bringing her campaign total to $507,451. At the same point in 2016, Democratic candidate Sue Minter had raised slightly less than $2 million.
Scott received large contributions from several corporations and individuals. The big donors included $4,080 from pharmaceutical company Mylan’s political action committee. Mylan became embroiled in scandal two years ago after it dramatically raised prices on the EpiPen, a device that can save lives in cases of severe allergic reactions.
Other top-dollar donations came from cable giant Comcast ($4,000); WHS Holdings, a company owned by ski resort operator Win Smith ($4,000); Leslie Morrison of Barnet, owner of Morrison’s Custom Feeds ($4,000); Sutherland Realty Holdings, a Florida company ($4,080) and UnitedHealth Group, a managed health care company ($4,000). One of United’s subsidiaries is Optum, the health care software firm behind Vermont Health Connect, the health insurance portal that several years ago was at the heart of then-governor Peter Shumlin’s health care reform efforts.
Hallquist, as usual, received many gifts from small donors and relatively few from high rollers. Her biggest donors included $4,080 from Tom Steyer, the Silicon Valley billionaire behind a campaign to impeach President Donald Trump; $4,080 apiece from John and Nicole Steele of Stowe, who made news in 2017 when they loaded up a Ryder truck with relief supplies and drove to the Florida Keys after Hurricane Irma; and $3,000 from Pennsylvania philanthropist Susan Wallace, an heir to the fortune of Henry Wallace, seed magnate, progressive politician and vice president from 1940 to 1944.
Related Stories
Got something to say?
Send a letter to the editor and we'll publish your feedback in print!
