T.J. Donovan
T.J. Donovan (Democratic Party) was the Attorney General of Vermont. He assumed office on January 5, 2017. He left office on June 20, 2022.
Donovan (Democratic Party) ran for re-election for Attorney General of Vermont. He won in the general election on November 3, 2020.
Donovan resigned as Attorney General of Vermont on June 20, 2022 to accept a job with the online gaming company Roblox.[1]
Before he won election to the state attorney general's office in 2016, Donovan served as state's attorney for Chittenden County, a post he was first elected to in 2006. While there, Donovan established the county's Rapid Intervention Criminal Court system. He had earlier served as deputy state's attorney in the county and as an assistant district attorney in Philadelphia.[2]
Biography
Donovan was one of six children born in Burlington, Vermont, to parents Thomas and Johannah Leddy. A product of the Burlington public school system, Donovan went on to earn his bachelor's degree from Merrimack College in North Andover, Massachusetts. He remained in Massachusetts after graduation to attend law school at Suffolk University in Boston.[3]
He began his legal career as an Assistant District Attorney in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Ultimately, Donovan settled back in his hometown of Burlington and took a job as Deputy State’s Attorney for Chittenden County. He served in that position until 2006, when he was first elected to the office's top position of Chittenden County State's Attorney.[3]
Education
- B.A. from Merrimack College
- J.D. from Suffolk University
Political career
- 2017 - 2022: Attorney General of Vermont
- 2015-2017: Chittenden County state's attorney
- 2007-2013: Chittenden County state's attorney
Elections
2022
- See also: Vermont Attorney General election, 2022
T.J. Donovan did not file to run for re-election.
2020
See also: Vermont Attorney General election, 2020
Vermont Attorney General election, 2020 (August 11 Republican primary)
Vermont Attorney General election, 2020 (August 11 Democratic primary)
General election
General election for Attorney General of Vermont
Incumbent T.J. Donovan defeated H. Brooke Paige and Cris Ericson in the general election for Attorney General of Vermont on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | T.J. Donovan (D) | 67.7 | 234,081 |
 | H. Brooke Paige (R) | 27.5 | 94,892 | |
 | Cris Ericson (Vermont Progressive Party) | 4.6 | 15,846 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 696 | ||
| Total votes: 345,515 | |||
 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Attorney General of Vermont
Incumbent T.J. Donovan advanced from the Democratic primary for Attorney General of Vermont on August 11, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | T.J. Donovan | 99.1 | 94,739 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.9 | 823 | ||
| Total votes: 95,562 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Attorney General of Vermont
H. Brooke Paige defeated Emily Peyton in the Republican primary for Attorney General of Vermont on August 11, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | H. Brooke Paige | 49.4 | 21,574 |
 | Emily Peyton | 46.7 | 20,376 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 3.9 | 1,705 | ||
| Total votes: 43,655 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Vermont Progressive Party primary election
Vermont Progressive Party primary for Attorney General of Vermont
Cris Ericson advanced from the Vermont Progressive Party primary for Attorney General of Vermont on August 11, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Cris Ericson | 58.1 | 414 |
| Other/Write-in votes | 41.9 | 299 | ||
| Total votes: 713 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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2018
- See also: Vermont Attorney General election, 2018
General election
General election for Attorney General of Vermont
Incumbent T.J. Donovan defeated Janssen Willhoit and Rosemarie Jackowski in the general election for Attorney General of Vermont on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | T.J. Donovan (D) | 70.1 | 187,093 |
 | Janssen Willhoit (R) | 26.3 | 70,226 | |
 | Rosemarie Jackowski (Liberty Union Party) | 3.6 | 9,536 | |
| Other/Write-in votes | 0.1 | 166 | ||
| Total votes: 267,021 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- H. Brooke Paige (R)
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Attorney General of Vermont
Incumbent T.J. Donovan advanced from the Democratic primary for Attorney General of Vermont on August 14, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | T.J. Donovan | 100.0 | 58,714 |
| Total votes: 58,714 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team. | ||||
Republican primary election
Republican primary for Attorney General of Vermont
H. Brooke Paige advanced from the Republican primary for Attorney General of Vermont on August 14, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | H. Brooke Paige | 100.0 | 16,853 |
| Total votes: 16,853 | |||
| = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
| If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. | ||||
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2016
- See also: Vermont Attorney General election, 2016
Donovan filed to run as a Democratic candidate for Vermont attorney general in 2016. He competed with H. Brooke Paige in the August 9 Democratic primary election.
T.J. Donovan defeated Deborah Bucknam and Rosemarie Jackowski in the Vermont attorney general election.
| Vermont Attorney General, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  T.J. Donovan |
66.61% | 200,020 | |
| Republican | Deborah Bucknam | 29.45% | 88,431 | |
| Liberty Union Party | Rosemarie Jackowski | 3.94% | 11,844 | |
| Total Votes | 300,295 | |||
| Source: Vermont Secretary of State | ||||
T.J. Donovan defeated H. Brooke Paige in the Democratic primary for attorney general.
| Democratic primary for attorney general, 2016 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
| T.J. Donovan |
67.00% | 49,017 |
| H. Brooke Paige | 16.29% | 11,917 |
| Write-in votes | 16.71% | 12,228 |
| Total Votes (275 of 275 Precincts Reporting) | 73,162 | |
| Source: Vermont Secretary of State | ||
Campaign finance
| T.J. Donovan Campaign Finance Reports | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Report | Date Filed | Beginning Balance | Total Contributions for Reporting Period | Expenditures | Cash on Hand | ||||
| First quarter | March 15, 2016 | $27,042.82 | $228,348.50 | $(45,850.85) | $ | ||||
| Second quarter | July 15, 2016 | $ | $57,867.48 | $(45,243.08) | $ | ||||
| Running totals | |||||||||
| $286,215.98 | $(91,093.93) | ||||||||
2012
- See also: Vermont attorney general election, 2012
Donovan was narrowly defeated by seven-term incumbent Bill Sorrell in the Democratic Party primary contest on August 28, 2012.[4] Sorrell will face Republican Jack McMullen in the general election on November 6, 2012.
- Primary
| Vermont Attorney General Democratic Primary, 2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes | ||
| Bill Sorrell Incumbent |
50.8% | 21,124 | ||
| T.J. Donovan | 49.1% | 20,410 | ||
| Write-in | 0.2% | 66 | ||
| Total Votes | 41,600 | |||
| Election results via Vermont Secretary of State. | ||||
Issues
Endorsements
Before officially launching his campaign, Donovan had already received endorsements from more than 100 Vermont lawyers and several endorsements from the right, including from Republican Mayor of Rutland, Chris Louras, who issued his statement of "wholehearted" support on May 9.[9] In the statement, Mayor Louras said, "To me, T.J. represents an opportunity for new energy, new ideas, and greater engagement on the issues Rutland’s citizens care about most," citing his trust in his capability to reform the state's criminal justice system to focus more on prevention than arrests.[9] He received another key endorsement on June 28 from The Vermont State Employees Association, an influential union comprised of about 6,400 state workers. Donovan credited what he called his status as a “middle class guy” for gaining the VSEA's and other major unions' support.[10][11]
| Full Endorsement List (click "show"):[12] | |
|---|---|
|
LABOR GROUPS: The Vermont Sheriffs Association The Vermont Troopers Association The Vermont State Labor Council, AFL-CIO The Professional Fire Fighters of Vermont The Vermont Building and Construction Trades Council Vermont State Employees Association ELECTED OFFICIALS: Governor Phil Hoff Senator Dick Sears, Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee Bennington County State’s Attorney Erica Marthage Thom Lauzon, Mayor of Barre Chris Louras, Mayor of Rutland Michael O’Brien, Mayor of Winooski PRESS PUBLICATIONS: The Burlington Free Press The Stowe Reporter St. Albans Messenger | |
Campaign themes
2020
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
T.J. Donovan did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
2016
Donovan's website included the following positions:
- Expanding access to drug addiction treatment programs, including naloxone treatment programs and needle exchanges, and "vigorous [law] enforcement with meaningful intervention"[13]
- Minimizing punishments for minor and nonviolent offenders, "alternatives to incarceration," and decriminalization of marijuana[14]
- Restoration of driving privileges for those whose licenses were revoked due to nonpayment of minor traffic fines[15]
- Supports government transparency[16]
Noteworthy events
Report of previous arrest
On June 13, 2012, one day before Vermont's 2012 primary candidate filing deadline, The Seven Days weekly newspaper published a story revealing that at age 18, 20 years prior, Donovan was arrested and charged with aggravated assault after a drunken bar brawl. The story stemmed from a letter the newspaper received from an anonymous informant early in the week, the contents of which were verified by Donovan. Donovan followed the story's release with a statement of admission about his previously-unknown criminal history. He elaborated on why that charge, which was reduced to a misdemeanor and ultimately expunged from his record, should not undermine his suitability to serve as the state's top law enforcement officer.[17] Donovan told the paper that while he was ashamed of the incident, along with what he called other youthful indiscretions, the experiences provided him with an understanding about the legal and personal struggles substance abusers face. He said those things benefited him as a prosecutor—in particular, the value of giving first-time offenders a second chance. "I would say this gives me great insight into what we can do differently in the criminal justice system. I’ve lived it and I’ve tried to give back through the work I’ve done as a prosecutor," he said, citing examples of when he has used his personal history as a teachable moment for teens he has dealt with in court.[18] When probed for comment on the revelation that his primary challenger had a criminal record, then-attorney general Bill Sorrell said, “I’m sure that whatever happened, he regrets, and it’s in the past and that’s where I’m going to leave it.”[18] Donovan, who refered to himself as a "social drinker" said he was not surprised to encounter a report of this nature surfacing only months before an election.
Notable endorsements
This section displays endorsements this individual made in elections within Ballotpedia's coverage scope.
Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
At the time of his 2016 campaign, Donovan lived in Burlington, Vermont with his wife, Jessica McCloud, a mental health counselor. The couple had one son, named Jack.[3]
See also
2020 Elections
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ VT Digger, "TJ Donovan leaving attorney general’s post early to take job with online gaming company Roblox," accessed June 20, 2022
- ↑ Office of the Vermont Attorney General, "About the Attorney General," accessed February 8, 2018
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 TJ Donovan for Attorney General Official Campaign Website, "About TJ," accessed June 14, 2012
- ↑ Burlington Free Press, "Sorrell claims victory says Donovan concedes," August 29, 2012
- ↑ Burlington Free Press, "T.J. Donovan announces bid for Attorney General," March 19, 2012
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 TJ Donovan for Attorney General, "Issues," accessed June 14, 2012
- ↑ Seven Days-Vermont's Independent Voice, "Come Judgment Day," August 1, 2012
- ↑ Burlington Free Press, "Donovan proposes unit to focus on elderly exploitation," July 11, 2012
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Democratic AG candidate picks up Republican mayor's endorsement," May 9, 2012
- ↑ VT Digger, "Donovan picks up VSEA endorsement," June 28, 2012
- ↑ Donovan for Attorney General 2012, "Endorsements," accessed July 23, 2012
- ↑ Vt.Digger, "Burlington Free Press, St. Albans Messenger endorse Donovan for Vermont attorney General," August 24, 2012
- ↑ TJ Donovan for Vermont, "Issues: Public Safety," accessed July 29, 2016
- ↑ TJ Donovan for Vermont, "Issues: Criminal Justice Reform," accessed July 29, 2016
- ↑ TJ Donovan for Vermont, "Issues: Driver Restoration," accessed July 29, 2016
- ↑ TJ Donovan for Vermont, "Issues: Transparency," accessed July 29, 2016
- ↑ Bennington Banner, "AG takes challenge seriously," June 14, 2012
- ↑ 18.0 18.1 Seven Days- Vermont's Independent Voice, "Vermont AG candidate TJ Donovan had criminal record of his own," June 13, 2012
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by William H. Sorrell (D) |
Attorney General of Vermont 2017-2022 |
Succeeded by Susanne Young (R) |
| Preceded by - |
Chittenden County State's Attorney 2006-2017 |
Succeeded by - |
| ||||||||||||||||||||||
 |
State of Vermont Montpelier (capital) |
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