Vermont Gov. Peter Shumlin (D) has been re-elected by the state Legislature, 110-69, over challenger Scott Milne (R), the Burlington Free Press reports.

“Lawmakers were required to vote to select the governor after no candidate in the November general election received more than 50 percent of the popular vote. Shumlin, the incumbent, received a plurality but not enough for the outright win.”

Burlington Free Press: “A provision in the state’s founding document says that if no candidate for governor, lieutenant governor or treasurer receives an outright majority of the vote — 50 percent plus one ballot — lawmakers decide the outcome by secret ballot two months later when they convene in January.”

“In a seven-candidate field on Nov. 4, Gov. Peter Shumlin got 46.4 percent of the vote, compared with 45.1 for Republican Scott Milne… But against long odds, Milne is taking his fight to a Legislature dominated by Shumlin’s fellow Democrats. He is urging lawmakers to vote as their constituents did in each district, which could result in a 90-90 tie when secret ballots cast by the 150 House members and 30 senators are counted.”