1983 Burlington mayoral election

The 1983 Burlington mayoral election was held March 1, 1983.[1] Incumbent Mayor Bernie Sanders won with 52.12% of the popular vote against Democratic nominee Judith Stephany and Republican nominee James Gilson.

1983 Burlington mayoral election

March 1, 1983

Nominee Bernie Sanders Judith Stephany James Gilson Party Independent Democratic Republican Popular vote 6,942 4,086 2,292 Percentage 52.12% 30.68% 17.21%

Mayor of Burlington before election Bernie Sanders Independent Elected Mayor of Burlington Bernie Sanders Independent

The Democratic Party unsuccessfully sought to give its mayoral nomination to multiple politicians before choosing Stephany, who had launched her campaign hours before the selection caucus. She would later state that her late entry into the campaign had contributed to her defeat. Despite him not being the Democratic nominee, three-quarters of Democratic voters surveyed reported supporting Sanders.[2]

Campaign

Independent

Following his election in the 1981 election Mayor Bernie Sanders faced difficulties with the city council of Burlington, Vermont, due to eleven of the thirteen members of the board of alderman opposing Sanders. The council would oppose measures proposed by Sanders and override his vetoes on legislation.[3] Sanders formed a coalition between independents and the Citizens Party.[4] Sanders announced on December 3, 1982, that he would seek reelection as mayor at Burlington's city hall.[5] On January 22, 1983, the Citizen Party voted unanimously to endorse Sanders, although Sanders ran as an independent.[6]

Democratic

The Democratic Party of Burlington, Vermont, faced difficulties finding a mayoral candidate as state Senator Thomas Crowley, Chittenden County Chief Deputy State's Attorney Harold Eaton Jr., and Alderman James Burns all declined to run for the Democratic nomination.[7] State Senator Esther Sorrell considered running for the Democratic nomination and an unsuccessful attempt was made to draft state Senator Mark Kaplan.[8][9][10] Lieutenant Governor Madeleine Kunin stated that she was not interesting in running for mayor despite polling showing her defeating Sanders.[11]

William H. Williams, a gas station owner, was the first person to announce a campaign for the mayoralty when he announced that he would seek the Democratic nomination in August 1982.[12] State Representative Judith B. Stephany, who was serving as Minority Leader in the Vermont House of Representatives, announced her mayoral campaign hours before the Burlington Democratic caucus was set to select the party's mayoral nominee. Stephany won the Democratic nomination against Williams by a margin of three to one.[13] Stephany initially chose to retain her seat and leadership position in the House of Representatives, but later announced that she would resign on January 30, 1983, to campaign for mayor.[14]

Republican

James Gilson, the chairman of the Burlington School Board of Commissioners, announced on November 8, 1982, that he would run for the mayoralty as a Republican. He formally announced his candidacy at Burlington's city hall on November 12.[15][16] Gilson won the Republican nomination with unanimous support on January 20, 1983.[17] Sanders proposed a campaign spending limit of $15,000, but Gilson rejected the offer.[18]

Results and demographics

In the mayoral election Sanders defeated Stephany and Gilson. Stephany stated that her late entry into the election had contributed to her defeat.[19] Sanders spent $33,000 during the campaign.[20]

Polling

Poll source	Poll sample	Sanders	Stephany	Gilson	Undecided
WDOT[21]	400 people	33.75%'	17.00%	10.00%	39.75%
WDOT[21]	400 people	41.75%'	22.50%	11.75%	-
Straw poll[21]	380 people	50.50%'	11.60%	10.00%	27.90%
Straw poll[21]	380 people	53.70%'	13.70%	11.60%	21.00%

Election results

1983 Burlington mayoral election[22]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Independent	Bernie Sanders (incumbent)	6,942	52.12%	+8.29%
	Democratic	Judith Stephany	4,086	30.68%	-13.04%
	Republican	James Gilson	2,292	17.21%	+17.21%
Total votes			13,320	100.00%

Results by ward

Ward	Sanders	Votes	Stephany	Votes	Gilson	Votes	Total votes[22]	Votes
Ward 1	57.83%	1,067	29.65%	547	12.52%	231	100.00%	1,845
Ward 2	67.71%	1,210	21.66%	387	10.63%	190	100.00%	1,787
Ward 3	69.83%	1,222	22.46%	393	7.71%	135	100.00%	1,750
Ward 4	37.91%	1,394	42.21%	1,552	19.88%	731	100.00%	3,677
Ward 5	48.93%	1,007	32.41%	667	18.66%	384	100.00%	2,058
Ward 6	47.30%	1,042	24.51%	540	28.19%	621	100.00%	2,203

Endorsements

James Gilson

Politicians

• George Coy, chairman of the Vermont Republican Party[23]
• Stephan A. Morse, Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives[24]

Bernie Sanders

Organizations

• Burlington Patrolmen's Association[25]

References

1. "Sanders Easily Re-Elected As Mayor of Burlington". Brattleboro Reformer. March 2, 1983. p. 1. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
2. Rice, Tom (January 1, 1985). "Who Votes for a Socialist Mayor? The Case of Burlington, Vermont". Polity. 17 (4): 795–806. doi:10.2307/3234575. JSTOR 3234575.
3. "Bernie Sanders vs. The Machine". The New York Times. November 27, 2019. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
4. "Sanders will make it official". Bennington Banner. December 3, 1982. p. 16. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
5. "Sanders Announces He's Running Again". Barre Montpelier Times Argus. December 3, 1982. p. 1. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
6. "Citizens Party Endorses Sanders". The Burlington Free Press. January 23, 1983. p. 14. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
7. "City Democrats Find A Candidate". Rutland Herald. January 23, 1983. p. 33. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
8. "Esther For Mayor?". The Burlington Free Press. August 22, 1982. p. 11. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
9. "Demos To Push Kaplan". The Burlington Free Press. January 10, 1983. p. 15. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
10. "Democrats still need candidate". Bennington Banner. January 11, 1983. p. 16. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
11. "Kunin Says No To Mayor Race In Spite of Poll". The Burlington Free Press. December 31, 1982. p. 9. Archived from the original on December 6, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
12. "Gas Station Owner Wants To Be Mayor of Burlington". The Burlington Free Press. August 14, 1982. p. 15. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
13. "Rep. Stephany Is Democratic Candidate for Mayor". Rutland Herald. January 19, 1983. p. 9. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
14. "Stephany Quitting House for All-Out Campaign". The Burlington Free Press. January 24, 1983. p. 1. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
15. "School Chairman Throwing Hat Into Mayoral Contest". The Burlington Free Press. November 9, 1982. p. 19. Archived from the original on August 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
16. "Bernie Sanders Gets Republican Competition". Brattleboro Reformer. November 9, 1982. p. 2. Archived from the original on August 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
17. "Gilson Is Easy Winner Of GOP Mayoral Nod". The Burlington Free Press. January 21, 1983. p. 13. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
18. "Gilson Rejects Campaign Fund Limit". The Burlington Free Press. February 2, 1983. p. 17. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
19. "Massive Turnout Keeps Mayor Sanders in Office". The Burlington Free Press. March 2, 1983. p. 3. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
20. "Sanders spent $33,000". Bennington Banner. March 14, 1983. p. 12. Archived from the original on December 6, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
21. "Polls Show Sanders Ahead; But Who's Second?". Rutland Herald. February 22, 1983. p. 4. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
22. "1983 election results". The Burlington Free Press. March 2, 1983. p. 17. Archived from the original on August 7, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
23. "Free Press Backs Paquette". Brattleboro Reformer. January 21, 1983. p. 1. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
24. "Free Press Backs Paquette". Brattleboro Reformer. January 20, 1983. p. 1. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.
25. "City Police Union Endorses Sanders; Crowley Upset". The Burlington Free Press. January 26, 1983. p. 11. Archived from the original on December 6, 2020 – via Newspapers.com.