David Zuckerman (politician) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
David Zuckerman
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Zuckerman in 2024
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| 82nd and 84th Lieutenant Governor of Vermont | |
| In office January 5, 2023 – January 9, 2025 |
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| Governor | Phil Scott |
| Preceded by | Molly Gray |
| Succeeded by | John S. Rodgers |
| In office January 5, 2017 – January 7, 2021 |
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| Governor | Phil Scott |
| Preceded by | Phil Scott |
| Succeeded by | Molly Gray |
| Member of the Vermont Senate from the Chittenden district |
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| In office January 9, 2013 – January 2, 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Multi-member district |
| Succeeded by | Debbie Ingram Christopher Pearson |
| Member of the Vermont House of Representatives from the Chittenden-3-4 district |
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| In office January 5, 1997 – January 5, 2011 |
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| Preceded by | Multi-member district |
| Succeeded by | Multi-member district |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 16, 1971 Boston, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Political party | Progressive |
| Other political affiliations |
Democratic |
| Spouse | Rachel Nevitt |
| Children | 1 |
| Education | University of Vermont (BA) |
David E. Zuckerman (born August 16, 1971) is an American politician from Vermont. He has served as the lieutenant governor of Vermont twice. A lieutenant governor is like a vice president for a state. They step in if the governor can't do their job. They also lead the state Senate.
Zuckerman is a member of the Vermont Progressive Party. He has also worked with the Vermont Democratic Party. Before becoming lieutenant governor, he served in both the Vermont House of Representatives and the Vermont Senate. In 2020, he ran for governor but did not win. He was the first Progressive Party member to win a statewide election in Vermont.
Contents
Early Life and Education
David Zuckerman grew up in Brookline, Massachusetts. He finished Brookline High School in 1989. In 1995, he graduated from the University of Vermont. He studied environmental issues and chemistry.
Political Career
Serving in the State House
Before joining the House, David Zuckerman worked on the Burlington Electric Commission. In 1994, he first ran for the Vermont House of Representatives while still in college. He didn't win that time. Two years later, he ran again and won. He became one of the first members of the Progressive Party to serve in the Vermont House. He held this seat until 2011.
While in the House, he spent six years on the Natural Resources and Energy Committee. He also served six years on the Agriculture Committee, leading it for four years. He finished his time in the House on the Ways and Means Committee.
Joining the State Senate
In 2012, Zuckerman ran for the Vermont State Senate for Chittenden County. He won a seat in this district, which had six members. In the Senate, he worked on the Agriculture and Education committees. He was the vice-chair of Agriculture and the clerk of Education.
Becoming Lieutenant Governor
In 2016, David Zuckerman ran for Lieutenant Governor. He was a Progressive candidate and also won the Democratic nomination. He won the general election against Republican Randy Brock. He was reelected in 2018.
In 2020, Zuckerman decided not to run for lieutenant governor again. Instead, he ran for governor against Phil Scott. He had support from both the Progressive and Democratic parties. However, he lost the election to Governor Scott.
In 2022, the lieutenant governor at the time, Molly Gray, decided not to run again. So, Zuckerman ran for lieutenant governor for a third time. He won both the Democratic primary and the general election. This made him one of the few people in Vermont history to serve as lieutenant governor more than once, but not in a row.
He ran for re-election in 2024 but was defeated by John S. Rodgers.
Farming and Agriculture
Since 1999, David Zuckerman and his wife, Rachel Nevitt, have run a successful organic farm. Their farm was first in Burlington, Vermont and later moved to Hinesburg, Vermont. They grow vegetables and raise chickens. Most of their produce is sold locally in Chittenden County. They offer a program called Community Supported Agriculture (CSA). This means people can buy a share of their farm's harvest for the season. They also sell their produce at the local farmers market.
Zuckerman has also been involved with farming groups. He served on the American Farm Bureau Federation Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee. He is also a member of the Vermont Farm Bureau and the Northeast Organic Farming Association in Vermont.
Key Political Ideas
Supporting Workers
Zuckerman has always supported workers' rights. He has worked to raise the minimum wage. He also supports paid family leave and other ways to protect workers.
Property Tax Changes
In 2015–16, Zuckerman supported a bill to lower property taxes for families earning less than $200,000. He also helped make plans for this change to happen by 2017.
Equal Pay for Equal Work
In 2001, Zuckerman supported a bill called H.440. This bill aimed to make sure people get paid the same for doing the same job, no matter their gender.
GMO Labeling
In 2014, Zuckerman was a main supporter in the Senate for Vermont's first-in-the-nation GMO Labeling Law. This law requires food companies to label products that contain genetically modified ingredients.
Views on Vaccines
Zuckerman has shared his thoughts on mandatory vaccinations. He believes that most people should vaccinate their children. However, he also believes in allowing exceptions for medical or religious reasons. He has said that his own daughter is vaccinated.
Personal Life
David Zuckerman and his wife Rachel Nevitt live in Hinesburg, Vermont. They have one child and continue to run their farm, Full Moon Farm. After leaving office in 2025, Zuckerman started hosting a part of a radio show called WDEV's Vermont Viewpoint.
Images for kids
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Zuckerman in 2024
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Zuckerman in 2017
