1988Final results
1988 election for U.S. Senate in Vermont
U.S. Senate · Vermont
James Jeffords (R) won with 68.0% of the vote, defeating Bill Gray (D) by 38.2 points.
James JeffordsRepublican · winner
68.0%163,183
Bill GrayDemocrat
29.8%71,460
Jerry LevyLiberty Union
1.1%2,533
King MilneIndependent
1.0%2,424
240,108 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.
Bill GrayJames Jeffords
$551.4K
Raised by the campaign
$976.5K
$549.9K
Spent by the campaign
$876.9K
$1.5K
Cash on hand
$312.2K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1988.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1988
The candidates
James Jeffords (R)Bill Gray (D)
Also on the ballot: Jerry Levy (Liberty Union), 1.1%; King Milne (Independent), 1.0%