1994Final results
1994 election for U.S. Senate in Vermont
U.S. Senate · Vermont
James Jeffords (R) won with 50.3% of the vote, defeating Jan Backus (D) by 9.7 points.
James JeffordsRepublican · winner
50.3%106,505
Jan BackusDemocrat
40.6%85,868
Gavin T. MillsIndependent
5.9%12,465
Matthew S. MulliganIndependent
1.5%3,141
Bob MelamedeOther party
0.7%1,416
Jerry LevyLiberty Union
0.7%1,376
Joseph Victor PardoNatural Law
0.3%709
211,672 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 1994
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.
Jan BackusJames Jeffords
$316.8K
Raised by the campaign
$1M
$313.2K
Spent by the campaign
$1.1M
$3.6K
Cash on hand
$234.4K
Other candidates' campaigns: Gavin T. Mills $9.6K · Matthew S. Mulligan $1.9K.
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 1994.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 1994
The candidates
James Jeffords (R)Jan Backus (D)Gavin T. Mills (I)
Also on the ballot: Matthew S. Mulligan (Independent), 1.5%; Bob Melamede (Other party), 0.7%; Jerry Levy (Liberty Union), 0.7%; Joseph Victor Pardo (Natural Law), 0.3%