Janoo Tours State as Vote Nears Tuesday

Candidate Amanda Janoo spent Monday canvassing neighborhoods and touring the state with supporters, saying her campaign has momentum heading into Election Day on Tuesday.

Janoo is the Democratic nominee for Vermont governor. She faces incumbent Republican Gov. Phil Scott. Eight months ago, Janoo had never run for office and was unknown to most voters. Now, she is the party standard-bearer and is waging the strongest challenge against Scott in the last decade.

Cheryl Reed, a supporter from Barre, said she joined the campaign because Janoo brings a new perspective on state issues like taxes and housing. “This feels like what was going on in the ’60s when I was growing up, and now I’m old enough to participate,” Reed said. She described Janoo as fresh, smart, and a good listener.

Jack Pitblado, a supporter from Burlington, said he supports Janoo because he believes the current leadership has not improved life for working Vermonters. “How am I going to be able to build a life here? And under the same leadership we’ve had over the last 10 years, not much has changed,” Pitblado said.

Janoo’s campaign is built on an economic populist foundation. It argues that trickle-down economics is not serving working residents. Her central proposals include universal primary care and property tax relief, funded by taxing high earners and vacation homes.

Janoo said the campaign aims to be more proactive than reactive. “I think many of us are yearning to be part of something that is more proactive than reactive,” she said. She also addressed concerns about the cost of living, noting that every type of cost is doubling. “We’re seeing doubling of every type of cost. Saying we can’t do anything about it isn’t a solution,” Janoo said.

Political analysts say Janoo has built a movement. They note that the outcome will depend on how many Democrats who previously supported Scott flip to Janoo, or how many new voters she brings to the polls.