David Zuckerman (politician)

State House of Representatives

Zuckerman first ran for the Vermont House of Representatives in 1994 while still a college student, losing by just 59 votes.^[16][17] He was later elected to serve in the chamber.^[18]

During his tenure, Zuckerman served six years on the Natural Resources and Energy Committee and six years on the Agriculture Committee, including four as chair.^[18] He concluded his time in the House on the Ways and Means Committee.^[18]

In 2006, Zuckerman considered running for Vermont’s at-large U.S. House seat, which was being vacated by Bernie Sanders, but ultimately chose to remain in the state legislature to continue chairing the Agriculture Committee.^[19]

Prior to his legislative service, Zuckerman served on the Burlington Electric Commission.^[18]

Vermont Senate

Zuckerman served in the Vermont Senate from 2013 to 2017, representing Chittenden County. During his tenure, he held leadership roles on the Agriculture and Education Committees, where he applied his experience as an organic farmer to shape agricultural policy. Zuckerman was a leading voice for progressive legislation, notably sponsoring S.95, a comprehensive bill to legalize recreational cannabis. The bill proposed regulated sales, personal cultivation, penalties aligned with alcohol laws, and the creation of a Marijuana Control Board to oversee the industry. He also supported Vermont’s GMO labeling law (Act 120), which aimed to reduce consumer confusion and promote transparency in food labeling. On environmental issues, Zuckerman backed renewable energy initiatives, including reforms to Vermont’s Renewable Energy Standard and support for distributed generation and net metering programs. His advocacy for workers’ rights included support for legislation expanding wage protections, unemployment compensation, and collective bargaining rights. Zuckerman’s legislative record reflects a consistent commitment to social justice, environmental sustainability, and economic equity.

Lieutenant governor

In 2016, Zuckerman ran for lieutenant governor as a Progressive candidate and received Bernie Sanders' endorsement before the August 9 primary.Heintz, Paul (August 2, 2016). "In Race for LG, Sanders Endorses Zuckerman, Dean Backs Smith". Seven Days. Archived from the original on August 5, 2016. Retrieved August 6, 2016. Zuckerman was reelected in 2018, defeating Republican Donald H. Turner by a margin of 57% to 39%. Zuckerman opted not to seek reelection for a third term in 2020, instead running against Republican incumbent governor Phil Scott. He ran with the support of both the Progressive and Democratic Parties, but lost to incumbent governor Phil Scott by a margin of 68% to 27% in the 2020 general election. When Lieutenant Governor Molly Gray opted not to run for reelection in order to run in the Democratic primary for Vermont's open U.S. House seat, Zuckerman announced a third campaign for lieutenant governor in 2022. He won the Democratic primary and the general election in 2022, defeating Republican nominee Joe Benning by a margin of 54% to 43% and becoming only the second person in Vermont history to be elected to serve non-consecutive terms as lieutenant governor. The other being Paul Brigham. Zuckerman ran for re-election in 2024, but lost to challenger John S. Rodgers, who received a plurality of the vote, with an initial estimate of 46.2% to 44.6%. Green Mountain Peace & Freedom Party nominee Ian Diamondstone finished third with 3.7% percent of the vote. Robinson, Paul Heintz, Shaun (November 7, 2024). "David Zuckerman concedes lieutenant governor's race to John Rodgers — but with a caveat". VTDigger. Retrieved November 11, 2024.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link) Because the Constitution of Vermont requires a majority vote for election as lieutenant governor, the Vermont General Assembly voted on January 9, 2025, to determine the winner. Zuckerman conceded the election on November 7, 2024, but did not declare whether he would contest the January legislative election. On January 9, Rodgers was officially elected as the 85th Lieutenant Governor by a vote of 158 to 18."Vermont lawmakers elect Republican John Rodgers as lieutenant governor". Connecticut Public. January 9, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2025.

Agriculture

Beginning in 1999, Zuckerman and his wife, Rachel Nevitt, built a successful organic farm in Burlington's Intervale, a network of a dozen farms located in and serving the city.^[14] Zuckerman served on the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee. He is also a member of the Vermont Farm Bureau and the Northeast Organic Farming Association chapter in Vermont.^[14]

In 2009, Zuckerman and Nevitt moved their farm to 150 acres (610,000 m²) in Hinesburg where they grow 20 acres (81,000 m²) of vegetables, CBD and raise 1000 chickens.^[14][20] Their produce is almost exclusively sold within Chittenden County.^[21] They operate a summer Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) with 275 members, a winter CSA with 125 members, and sell year round at the local Burlington farmers market.^[22]

Labor

Zuckerman has been an advocate of labor protections such as raising the minimum wage, paid family leave, and increasing protections for workers.^[23]

Opposition to Bush administration

On April 25, 2006, Zuckerman introduced a resolution for the Vermont State Legislature to ask the United States Congress to impeach President George W. Bush.^[24] The motion failed 87–60 in a roll call vote on April 25, 2007.^[25]

Property tax reform

Zuckerman supported a bill to lower property tax rates for households earning less than $200,000 in the 2015–16 session.^[26] He also helped pass legislation to model this reform in time for the 2017 session.^[27]

Equal pay

Zuckerman was a sponsor of H.440 in 2001, a bill which would require equal pay for equal work.^[28]

GMO labeling

In 2014, Zuckerman was the lead Senate author of Vermont's first-in-the-nation GMO food-labeling law.^[29]

Vaccines

Zuckerman is critical of the philosophy of mandatory vaccinations, a view that led to scrutiny during the coronavirus pandemic.^[30][31] He has said that he is skeptical about the CDC's position on vaccines due to its purported connections to the pharmaceutical industry, but believes the science of vaccination is sound.^[30] He said that he believed that most people should vaccinate their children, but believes in exemptions for medical or religious reasons.^[32] He said that some of his constituents had said that vaccines gave their children allergic reactions.^[32] He has said that his own daughter is vaccinated.^[30]

Opposition to Act 73

After leaving office in January 2025, former Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman became a vocal critic of Act 73, a legislative measure aimed at addressing Vermont’s affordability crisis. Zuckerman argued that the law relied excessively on austerity measures that would disproportionately affect working-class Vermonters. He instead advocated for progressive taxation, including higher taxes on wealthy residents and second homeowners, to fund public services such as affordable housing and education.^[33]

Zuckerman expressed disappointment over the legislature’s failure to pass a proposed bill that would have allocated between US $70 million and US $100 million annually for affordable housing.^[34] He emphasized the importance of addressing economic inequality and called for reforms such as district consolidation and efficiency improvements within the Vermont Agency of Human Services and the Vermont Department of Education to reduce property taxes and improve service delivery.^[33]

Social media engagement

In addition to his radio work, Zuckerman has remained active in Vermont political circles through social media. He regularly uses platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook to share commentary on legislative developments, promote progressive causes, and engage with constituents and activists. His posts often highlight issues including housing, education, labor rights, and climate policy, and he has used these platforms to amplify grassroots campaigns and mobilize support for local initiatives.^[38]