Whoever wins the gubernatorial race in Vermont, the campaign has pretty much failed to illuminate the issue of health care reform, one of the most momentous the state has ever faced. Health care now eats up 20 percent of the state's economic output and there is a broad consensus that the current trend is unsustainable.

The campaign for Treasurer has been the most contentious statewide race this year. The candidates met this week in one of their final debates of the campaign and they used the forum as a way to sharply criticize each other.

Republican, Democrat, Progressive, Liberty Union, Green, Rainbow. Vermonters are used to a wide spectrum of parties crowding the ballot every two years. But who is behind some of the more recent parties to emerge, including the Peace and Prosperity Party? And - a new entry this year - the VoteKISS party?

Newscast: Wednesday, October 24. 2012, 5:50 p.m.

Cassandra Gekas and Phil Scott may be two of the most polite candidates running for statewide office. In a VPR debate Wednesday, Scott expressed unease with having to challenge his opponent directly as Gekas smiled and laughed in agreement.

In a debate sponsored by the Burlington Free Press, Vermont's gubernatorial candidates were asked if they had seen any evidence of the highly partisan, negative style of Washington, D.C., politics in the state's elections this year.

Both the candidates and the media have billed this Presidential election as a clear choice between two visions of the role of government in the lives of individual Americans. Vic Henningsen looks back to a similar set of circumstances - one hundred years ago.

The final presidential debate, which will focus on foreign policy, takes place next Monday night in Florida. Barrie Dunsmore offers a historical context for viewing that discussion.

With the presidential election fast approaching, Peter Gilbert took a look at previous elections. There he found some landslides, some extremely close races, and some very interesting stories.

With election day nearly upon us, Mary McCallum is thinking about one of Vermont's local boys who made it big - very big - in Presidential politics.

Live debate on Wednesday at noon between Republican incumbent Phil Scott and Progressive/Democrat Cassandra Gekas.

Republican U.S. Senate candidate John MacGovern knows his effort is a long shot, but he's pushing forward. He hopes an unexpected confluence of events could send him to Washington.

Newscast: Monday, October 22, 2012, 5:50 p.m.

The most competitive political contest in Vermont this year is for a position that normally attracts little attention. The race for state treasurer has drawn charged political attacks and an unprecedented level of spending.

Newscast: Friday, October 19, 2012, 5:50 p.m.

The three major party attorney general candidates are sparring over how much of an "activist" the attorney general should be. The three candidates, Incumbent Democrat Bill Sorrell, Republican Jack McMullen and Progressive Ed Stanak have very different views about the kinds of legal cases that the attorney general's office should be involved in.

Election Day is less than three weeks away, but already some political commentators are calling the governor’s race over, in favor of the incumbent, Democrat Peter Shumlin. Veteran journalist Hamilton Davis discusses with VPR's Peter Biello the lack of evidence to suggest this is true.   

Republican U.S. Senate candidate John MacGovern says he doesn't think the U.S. Air Force should base F-35 fighter planes at the Burlington International Airport.

Long-time incumbent Bill Sorrell (D) is running for re-election and faces major party opposition from Jack McMullen (R) and Ed Stanak (P). 

Republican challenger and current Rutland City Treasurer Wendy Wilton spoke with VPR's Mitch Wertlieb as part of VPR's continuing election coverage.

President Barack Obama is making a quick stop in New Hampshire the same day his supporters embark on a 24-hour tour around the state.

Republican state Senator Vince Illuzzi and Democrat/Progressive Doug Hoffer are seeking to replace current State Auditor Tom Salmon. Salmon decided earlier this year not to seek re-election. The candidates have different views on how to approach the job they seek.

As of the mid-September, Governor Peter Shumlin had over $800,000 in his campaign war chest. His next campaign finance report is due on Monday and it may show that he has even more to spend. But he may hold onto a large chunk of this cash for the 2014 election.

The major party candidates for U.S. Senate, incumbent Bernie Sanders (I) and challenger John MacGovern (R), meet in a live debate on Vermont Edition at noon.

Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott discusses why he wants to return to the position in November and we read from our listener mailbag.