Tom Costello

Vermonters met expectations of high voter turnout last Tuesday, flocking to the polls in numbers not seen since former President Bill Clinton was elected 16 years ago.
 
On Tuesday, the Elections and Campaign Finance division of Vermont's State Department published its report on this year's voter turnout as well as complete election results.
 
Over 66 percent of all eligible voters actually cast their votes, or about 326,822 people. An estimated 30 percent of the voters used absentee ballots.
 
"I am pleased to see that we had a very strong turnout in this election," Vermont's Secretary of State Deb Markowitz said in a statement on Tuesday. "Over 66 percent of the voting age population cast votes."

In an election cycle dominated by change, Vermont incumbents at the state and national level kept a tight hold on their seats and Vermont voters kept up their independent voting streak.

Vermont's sole U.S. Representative, Peter Welch (D-Hartland), claimed nearly 85 percent of the vote, according to the early results. His closest competitor, independent Mike Bethel, earned less than 5 percent of the vote.

Lt. Gov. Brian Dubie (R-Essex Junction) has earned nearly 57 percent of the vote, with about 82 percent of precincts reporting, according to WCAX.

Dubie faced off against Democrat Tom Costello, a Brattleboro attorney and former state representative, but managed to hold onto his seat by about 18 percent of the vote.

Costello began campaigning later in the election cycle, and faced a competitive primary against Nate Freeman.

Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor Tom Costello addressed the state Senate Judiciary Committee in a public hearing Thursday evening regarding the proper legal actions against sexual predators.

In his prepared statement, Costello advocated for thoughtful legislation instead of relying on gut reactions and proposed several initiatives he supports.

Former Progressive Representative Dean Corren details  Lieutenant Governor candidate Thomas Costello's hearings about energy deregulaion in the 1990's.

Few politicians have risen to the opportunity to save Vermonters so much money.  It would be a great move for Vermonters to give Tom Costello a further chance to tackle this as Lt. Governor.

Click here to view Lieutenant Governor candidate Tom Costello's website.