1988Final results
1988 election for Vermont's at-large District
U.S. House · Vermont
Peter Smith (R) won with 41.2% of the vote, defeating Bernard Sanders (Ind) by 3.7 points.
Peter SmithRepublican · winner
41.2%98,937
Bernard SandersIndependent
37.5%90,026
Paul N. PoirierDemocrat
18.9%45,330
Jim HedborLibertarian
1.3%3,110
Peter DiamondstoneLiberty Union
0.6%1,455
Morris EarleOther party
0.4%1,070
240,131 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 1988
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
Paul N. PoirierPeter Smith
$260.8K
Raised by the campaign
$457.7K
$260.5K
Spent by the campaign
$450.2K
$219
Cash on hand
$7.6K
Other candidates' campaigns: Bernard Sanders $332.8K · Jim Hedbor $58K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1988.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1988
The candidates
Peter Smith (R)Bernard Sanders (I)Paul N. Poirier (D)
Also on the ballot: Jim Hedbor (Libertarian), 1.3%; Peter Diamondstone (Liberty Union), 0.6%; Morris Earle (Other party), 0.4%