📚 Summer school. Phil Scott holds 6 of seven stars — but fails a critical Article (Open Books). Assignment: summer school for Civics, watch every Schoolhouse Rock episode five times, and submit a one-page report — due before the end of the year. Report to summer school →
“…the property of the people.” — Cicero, De Re Publica
Takes no PAC or dark money, but more than half his funding comes from businesses and their owners, missing the strict "no corporate money" line.
60
2Free & Fair Electionscritical
85%★ earned
“The ballot is stronger than the bullet.” — Abraham Lincoln
Nothing in the record indicates election denial or any threat to peaceful transfer of power.
60
3The Dignity of the Opponent
82%★ earned
“Treat humanity … always as an end and never as a means only.” — Kant
Runs on an explicitly anti-vitriol brand, treating opponents with respect.
60
4Fear Is Not Fuel
82%★ earned
“…the better angels of our nature.” — Lincoln, First Inaugural
Campaigns against vitriol rather than mobilizing fear.
60
5Truth & a Kept Word
75%★ earned
“…living within the truth.” A representative owes “his judgment.” — Havel · Burke
A moderate record of engaging issues on their merits across party lines. A consistent brand and governing posture held over multiple terms; no broken commitments documented.
60
6Against the Spirit of Party
88%★ earned
“The baneful effects of the spirit of party.” — Washington, Farewell Address
Never voted for Trump and signs Democratic-sponsored climate and reproductive bills, governing beyond party.
60
7Morality
84%★ earned
“The time is always right to do what is right.” — Martin Luther King Jr.
A consistently popular governor on an anti-vitriol brand who crosses party lines on principle; no personal-ethics problem.
60
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Scores are Independent 2026’s own editorial read against the Seven Articles — ≥60% earns the star. The first two Articles are critical: fail Open Books or Free & Fair Elections and there is no seal, whatever else holds. Each Article carries its founding quote as the yardstick. On bias →