Former Gov. Tom Salmon, who served as Vermont’s 75th governor, died on Tuesday at the age of 92. The lawyer-turned-lawmaker from Rockingham stunned Vermont with an underdog win over the Republican candidate in the 1972 governor’s race.

Former Vermont Gov. Tom Salmon has died. The news was first reported on Tuesday night by VT Digger. Salmon was born in Cleveland, but started his career in Vermont government as a member of the Rockingham Town Counsel.

When Vermont Democrats lacked a gubernatorial candidate the afternoon of the primary deadline in August 1972, Rockingham lawyer Tom Salmon, in the most last-minute of Hail Mary passes, threw his hat in the ring.

Former two-term Gov. Thomas P. Salmon — known for his underdog victory in the 1972 gubernatorial race — died "peaceful" on Tuesday.

But Salmon had his finger on the pulse of Vermont and struck a chord with an anti-development theme and a compelling catchphrase that was unequivocal: “Vermont is not for sale.”

Thomas P. Salmon, who served as the 23rd president of the University of Vermont and who was twice elected governor of the Green Mountain State, died Tuesday, January 14, in a convalescent home in Brattleboro.