John S. Rodgers

John S. Rodgers (born July 29, 1965) is an American politician and farmer serving as the 85th lieutenant governor of Vermont since 2025. He previously served in the Vermont Senate from the Essex-Orleans district from 2013 to 2021 and in the Vermont House of Representatives from the Orleans-Caledonia 1 district from 2003 to 2011. He received a plurality of the vote in the 2024 Vermont lieutenant gubernatorial election but fell short of a majority, leaving it to the Vermont General Assembly to decide the election.

Rodgers, a member of the Democratic Party until 2024, considers himself a moderate Republican.

He completed his education at Sacred Heart School in Newport, Vermont in 1983. In 1985, he earned an Associate's Degree from New Hampshire Vocational Technical College in Berlin, New Hampshire. Following his graduation, Rodgers established JS Rodgers Masonry Inc., a construction business focused on dry stone masonry and excavation work. Most notably, he is a vocal gun control opponent and was one of the most visible opponents of S.55, the first major gun control bill passed in Vermont.

He ran as a write-in candidate in the Democratic primary for Governor of Vermont in 2018.

In 2020, Rodgers proposed a bill that would have banned cell phone use by people under the age of 21.

2024 lieutenant gubernatorial election In May 2024, Rodgers declared his candidacy for lieutenant governor, challenging incumbent David Zuckerman. He became the Republican nominee on August 13, and was endorsed by incumbent Republican Governor Phil Scott. Rodgers considers himself a moderate Republican, and said prior to the 2024 election that he would not vote for Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump.

On November 5, he received a plurality of the vote against Zuckerman, with an initial estimate of 46.2% to 44.6%. Green Mountain Peace and Justice Party nominee Ian Diamondstone finished third with 3.7% percent of the vote.

Personal life Rodgers lives on a farm which has been in his family for over 200 years. He runs a cannabis farm.