David Zuckerman

David Zuckerman
Born	Template:Birth year and age
Birthplace	Vermont, United States
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, farmer
Title	Lieutenant Governor of Vermont (2017–2019, 2021–2025)
Known for	Lieutenant Governor of Vermont

David Zuckerman (born 1971) is an American politician and farmer from Vermont who served three terms as the Lieutenant Governor of Vermont. A member of both the Progressive and Democratic parties, Zuckerman held office as lieutenant governor from 2017 to 2019 and again from 2021 to 2025. Prior to his tenure as lieutenant governor, he served in the Vermont Senate and the Vermont House of Representatives, establishing himself as one of the most prominent progressive political figures in the state. Outside of politics, Zuckerman has been involved in agriculture and has been an outspoken advocate for issues including property tax reform and education funding. In November 2024, he conceded the lieutenant governor's race to Republican challenger John Rodgers, ending his third term in the office. As of 2025, Zuckerman has indicated involvement in efforts to seek re-election as lieutenant governor, continuing his long career in Vermont public life.

Career

Early Political Career

David Zuckerman built a lengthy career in Vermont state government prior to becoming lieutenant governor. He served in the Vermont House of Representatives and later in the Vermont Senate, running under the banners of both the Progressive and Democratic parties. His dual-party affiliation reflected a pragmatic approach to electoral politics in Vermont, where Progressive candidates have sometimes cross-filed on the Democratic ballot line to broaden their appeal. Throughout his legislative career, Zuckerman developed a reputation for advocating on behalf of progressive policy positions, including those related to agriculture, education, and taxation.

Lieutenant Governor of Vermont

Zuckerman served three terms as Lieutenant Governor of Vermont. His first term began in 2017 and lasted until 2019. He was subsequently re-elected and served additional terms from 2021 to 2025. As lieutenant governor, Zuckerman presided over the Vermont Senate and used the platform to advocate for a range of policy issues.

During his tenure, Zuckerman was not without controversy. In early 2023, House Speaker Jill Krowinski, a Democrat from Burlington, issued both verbal and written warnings to Zuckerman after he offered menstrual products to state lawmakers. The incident prompted a formal reprimand from the House speaker. The episode drew public attention and media coverage, highlighting tensions between the lieutenant governor's office and the House leadership.

Zuckerman's third term as lieutenant governor came to an end following the November 2024 election. He conceded his reelection race to Republican challenger John Rodgers on November 7, 2024, though he did so "with a caveat," suggesting that the outcome, while accepted, came with reservations about the broader political dynamics at play. The loss marked the end of a significant period of progressive leadership in the lieutenant governor's office.

Policy Advocacy

Throughout his career and continuing after leaving office, Zuckerman has been an active voice on policy matters in Vermont, particularly regarding property taxation and education funding.

In an October 2025 opinion piece published in the Waterbury Roundabout, Zuckerman argued for reforming Vermont's property tax system while maintaining robust funding for public education. Under the headline "Fix the property tax – leave schools alone!", Zuckerman wrote that Vermonters want the property tax system to be "fair and reasonable" while also wanting "a solid education system for our kids," rejecting the notion that school closures or consolidation should be the primary mechanism for addressing tax burdens. The piece reflected Zuckerman's longstanding concern with ensuring that fiscal policy does not come at the expense of public services.

In a May 2025 commentary, also published in the Waterbury Roundabout, Zuckerman offered a critical assessment of the relationship between the governor's office and the state legislature, titling his piece "Governor: 1; Legislature: 0." The article underscored his view that the legislative branch was losing ground in its ability to check executive power in Vermont. These writings demonstrated Zuckerman's continued engagement with Vermont governance even after leaving the lieutenant governor's office.

2026 Campaign

As of mid-2025, Zuckerman signaled his intention to run again for the office of Lieutenant Governor of Vermont. A campaign effort launched in June 2025 sought volunteers across the state to gather signatures to place Zuckerman on the ballot, with organizers describing the endeavor as an effort to "re-elect David Zuckerman as Lieutenant Governor." The campaign's early emphasis on grassroots volunteer mobilization and petition gathering was consistent with Zuckerman's prior campaigns, which relied heavily on ground-level organizing and community outreach.

Disambiguation

The name David Zuckerman is shared by several notable individuals. In addition to the Vermont politician, there is David Zuckerman, a professor of computer science at the University of Texas at Austin, who is known for his research in theoretical computer science. In June 2025, this David Zuckerman, along with Eshan Chattopadhyay of Cornell University, was awarded the Gödel Prize for breakthrough research in computer science. The Gödel Prize is one of the most prestigious awards in theoretical computer science.

There is also a David Zuckerman (born 1962) who is an American television producer and writer, known for his work in the entertainment industry.

This article focuses primarily on the Vermont politician.

Personal Life

Zuckerman is a farmer in addition to his political career. His agricultural background has informed much of his policy work, particularly on issues related to rural communities, land use, and sustainability in Vermont. He has lived and worked in Vermont throughout his public life.

Recognition

Zuckerman's three terms as lieutenant governor represent one of the longer tenures in that office in recent Vermont history. His ability to win election under both the Progressive and Democratic party banners reflected a cross-party appeal that few Vermont politicians have achieved. His advocacy on property tax reform and education funding has drawn attention in Vermont media, and his opinion columns in the Waterbury Roundabout have contributed to ongoing public debates about fiscal and education policy in the state.

His 2024 loss to John Rodgers was noted as a significant political shift in Vermont, where the lieutenant governor's office had been held by progressive and Democratic figures for multiple cycles.