2012Final results
2012 election for U.S. Senate in Vermont
U.S. Senate · Vermont
Bernard Sanders (Ind) won with 71.0% of the vote, defeating John Macgovern (R) by 46.1 points.
Bernard SandersIndependent · winner
71.0%207,848
John MacgovernRepublican
24.9%72,898
Chris EricksonOther party
2.0%5,924
Pete DiamondstoneLiberty Union
0.9%2,511
Peter MossOther party
0.8%2,452
Laurel LaframboiseOther party
0.3%877
292,762 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 2012
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.
Bernard SandersJohn Macgovern
$6.3M
Raised by the campaign
$135.8K
$2.7M
Spent by the campaign
$131.9K
$4.2M
Cash on hand
$2.5K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 2012.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 2012
The candidates
Bernard Sanders (I)John Macgovern (R)
Also on the ballot: Chris Erickson (Other party), 2.0%; Pete Diamondstone (Liberty Union), 0.9%; Peter Moss (Other party), 0.8%; Laurel Laframboise (Other party), 0.3%