2024 Vermont Senate election|
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Results:
Republican gain
Democratic hold Republican hold
Progressive hold |
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The 2024 Vermont Senate election took place on November 5, 2024, as part of the biennial United States elections. The election coincided with elections for other offices including the U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Governor, and State House. State senators serve two-year terms in the Vermont Senate. Primary elections were held on August 13, 2024.[1]
Vermont voters elected all 30 state senators from 16 districts, with each district electing between one and three senators. Districts that elect more than one senator use plurality block voting; in districts that elect two senators, each voter can select up to two candidates on their ballot, and in districts that elect three senators, voters can select up to three candidates. Under Vermont's electoral fusion system, candidates can receive the nomination of more than one party, with all their nominations being listed on the ballot.
Prior to the election, the Democrat–Progressive coalition held a 23-seat supermajority in the senate. In order to gain control of the chamber, Republicans either needed to flip nine seats in the senate, or flip eight seats and the office of lieutenant governor, which presides over the senate and acts as the tiebreaking vote. However, they only needed to flip four seats to end their opponents' supermajority. Ultimately, Republicans, aided by popular GOP governor Phil Scott campaigning for downballot Republican candidates harder than he had in previous years, flipped six seats in the state senate, thus successfully breaking the Democrats' supermajority, and requiring Republican support to overturn Phil Scott’s vetoes.[2] The decline in Democratic showing was notable as they received less votes collectively in 2024, than the 2022 midterms.
Members not seeing reelection
Four incumbents did not seek re-election.[3]
Democrats
- Bennington: Brian Campion retired.
- Caledonia: Jane Kitchel retired.
- Orleans: Robert Starr retired to run for Justice of the Peace in Troy.
- Windsor: Richard McCormack retired.
Predictions
Summary of results
| Party
|
Candidates
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Votes
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%
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Primary seats
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Secondary seats
|
| Primary
|
Secondary
|
Before
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After
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+/−
|
Before
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After
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+/−
|
|
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Democratic
|
|
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341,868
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52.6
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22[a]
|
16
|
6
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3
|
4
|
1
|
|
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Republican
|
|
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264,791
|
40.7
|
7[b]
|
13
|
6
|
1
|
0
|
1
|
|
|
Progressive
|
|
|
15,936
|
2.5
|
1[c]
|
1
|
|
4
|
3
|
1
|
|
|
Independent
|
|
|
24,486
|
3.8
|
0
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0
|
|
0
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0
|
|
|
|
Write-ins
|
N/A
|
2,865
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0.4
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N/A
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| Total
|
|
|
649,946
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100.0
|
30
|
30
|
|
8
|
7
|
1
|
[5]
Addison
2024 Vermont Senate Addison
district election|
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The incumbents are Democrats Christopher Bray and Ruth Hardy, who won with 33.8% and 33.3% of the vote in 2022, respectively (67.1% combined).
Democratic primary
Declared
Campaign
Elder largely avoided criticizing the two incumbents directly, instead saying he decided to run for Senate due to his conflicts with House leadership; Elder alleged that they "made it clear the doors were shut for me to participate." The race was competitive, with all three candidates reporting roughly equal fundraising.[8]
Results
Republican primary
Declared
Results
General election
Results
Bennington
2024 Vermont Senate Bennington
district election|
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The incumbents are Democrats Brian Campion and Dick Sears, who won with only write-in opposition in 2022. Sears filed to run for re-election, while Campion announced he would retire.[13] However, Sears died in June 2024, shortly after the filing deadline.[14]
Democratic primary
Declared
- Seth Bongartz, state representative[13]
- Tina Cook, marketing professional (write-in)[15]
- Rob Plunkett, deputy state's attorney (write-in)[16]
- Kate Seaton, technical account manager (write-in)[17]
Deceased
Declined
Endorsements
Campaign
Despite his death, Sears remained on the ballot in the August Democratic primary; if he won, a convention of delegates from towns in the district would have met to choose a replacement nominee.[18] Several write-in candidates entered the race.[15] One candidate, Manchester selectman Jonathan West, urged Democrats in the district to vote for Sears, hoping to clinch the nomination at a convention.[18]
Results
Republican primary
Declared
Results
Independents
Declared
Results
Caledonia
2024 Vermont Senate Caledonia
district election|
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The incumbent is Democrat Jane Kitchel, who won with 63.4% of the vote in 2022. Kitchel is not running for re-election.[23]
Democratic primary
Declared
- Amanda Cochrane, nonprofit executive[24]
- Shawn Hallisey, nursing home administrator[25]
Declined
Endorsements
Results
Republican primary
Declared
- Scott Beck, state representative[26]
- J.T. Dodge, systems engineer, nominee for this district in 2022 and Libertarian nominee in 2020[27]
Endorsements
Results
General election
Results
Chittenden Central
2024 Vermont Senate Chittenden
Central district election|
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The incumbents are Democrats Philip Baruth and Martine Gulick and Progressive Tanya Vyhovsky, who won with 31.5%, 29.0%, and 25.7% of the vote in 2022, respectively (86.2% combined), against an independent candidate. All three incumbents are running for re-election.
Democratic primary
Declared
Endorsements
Steward Ledbetter
Statewide officials
State legislators
Campaign
Ledbetter outlined few policy differences between himself and the district's three incumbents, instead campaigning on his experience as a journalist. However, VTDigger described Ledbetter as a more centrist alternative to the incumbents, and he criticized Vyhovsky for voting against a bill to increase penalties for retail theft. The three incumbents ran together as a slate. Vyhovsky and Gulick criticized Ledbetter for accepting large contributions from Republicans, landlords, and business interests, and for promising to compromise with Republican governor Phil Scott, which Gulick argued could "mean that you have to make compromises on your values."[30]
Ledbetter had significant name recognition and outraised all three incumbents by a wide margin, creating a competitive race. VTDigger wrote that Gulick was "generally considered the most vulnerable of the three incumbents," owing to her narrow victory in the 2022 Democratic primary for this district.[30]
Results
General election
Results
Chittenden North
2024 Vermont Senate Chittenden
North district election|
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The incumbent is Democrat Irene Wrenner, who won with 51.3% of the vote in 2022.
Democratic primary
Declared
Results
Republican primary
Declared
Results
Results
Chittenden Southeast
2024 Vermont Senate Chittenden
Southeast district election|
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The incumbents are Democrats Kesha Ram Hinsdale, Thomas Chittenden and Ginny Lyons, who won with 32.1%, 26.6%, and 25.1% of the vote in 2022, respectively (83.8% combined).
Democratic primary
Declared
Results
Republican primary
Declared
Results
Independents
Declared
- Taylor Craven, former member of the Colchester Planning Commission[32]
General election
Results
Essex
2024 Vermont Senate Essex
district election|
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The incumbent is Republican Russ Ingalls, who won with only write-in opposition in 2022.
Republican primary
Declared
Results
General election
Results
Franklin
2024 Vermont Senate Franklin
district election|
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The incumbents are Republicans Randy Brock and Robert Norris, who won with 33.1% and 29.6% of the vote in 2022, respectively (62.7% combined).
Republican primary
Declared
Results
General election
Results
Grand Isle
2024 Vermont Senate Grand Isle
district election|
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The incumbent was Democrat Richard Mazza, who won with 73.0% of the vote in 2022. Mazza resigned on April 8, 2024, due to health issues; he later died on May 28.[33] Governor Phil Scott appointed Democrat Andy Julow, a nonprofit executive and former chair of the Champlain Valley School District Board, to Mazza's vacant seat.[34]
Democratic primary
Declared
Declined
Results
Republican primary
Declared
Results
General election
Results
Lamoille
2024 Vermont Senate Lamoille
district election|
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The incumbent is Republican Richard Westman, who won against only write-in opposition in 2022.
Republican primary
Declared
Results
Independents
Declared
- Maureen Heck, construction company employee[36]
General election
Results
Orange
2024 Vermont Senate Orange
district election|
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The incumbent is Democrat Mark MacDonald, who won with 55.4% of the vote in 2022.
Democratic primary
Declared
Results
Republican primary
Declared
- Larry Hart, former auto repair shop owner[37]
Results
General election
Results
Orleans
2024 Vermont Senate Orleans
district election|
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The incumbent is Democrat Robert Starr, who won with 58.1% of the vote in 2022. Starr is not running for re-election.[38]
Democratic primary
Declared
Declined
Endorsements
Results
Republican primary
Declared
Declined
Endorsements
Sam Douglass
Statewide officials
State legislators
Results
General election
Results
Rutland
2024 Vermont Senate Rutland district election|
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The incumbents are Republicans Brian Collamore, Terry Williams, and Dave Weeks, who won with 21.0%, 17.3%, and 16.3% of the vote in 2022, respectively (54.6% combined).
Republican primary
Declared
Results
Democratic primary
Declared
- Marsha Cassel, retired teacher[43]
- Dana Peterson (write-in)[6]
- Robert Richards, chair of the Fair Haven Selectboard[6]
Results
General election
Results
Washington
2024 Vermont Senate Washington
district election|
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The incumbents are Democrats Ann Cummings, Anne Watson, and Andrew Perchlik, who won with 26.2%, 22.9%, and 21.1% of the vote in 2022, respectively (70.2% combined).
Democratic primary
Declared
Results
Republican primary
Declared
Results
Aftermath
Rob Roper received enough write-in votes to win the Republican nomination, but dropped out of the race after the primary. Republican Party officials in Washington County were then able to choose a replacement nominee.[44]
Replacement nominee
- Mike Doyle, innkeeper and nominee for this district in 2016[44]
General election
Results
Windham
2024 Vermont Senate Windham
district election|
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The incumbents are Democrats Wendy Harrison and Nader Hashim, who won with 34.2% and 31.2% of the vote in 2022, respectively (65.6% combined).
Democratic primary
Declared
Results
Republican primary
Declared
Results
Independents
Declared
General election
Results
Windsor
2024 Vermont Senate Windsor
district election|
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The incumbents are Democrats Alison Clarkson, Rebecca White, and Richard McCormack, who won with 23.4%, 22.9%, and 22.7% of the vote in 2022, respectively (69.0% combined). McCormack is not running for re-election.[47]
Democratic primary
Declared
Withdrawn
- Marc Nemeth, attorney (remained on ballot, running as an independent)[50]
Declined
Results
Republican primary
Declared
- Andrea Murray, member of the Weathersfield Zoning Board of Adjustments[37]
- Jonathan Gleason, ski instructor[51]
- Robert Ruhlin, construction company owner[37]
- Jack Williams, retired quality assurance professional and nominee for this district in 2016, 2018, and 2020[51]
Endorsements
Results
Independents
Declared
- Marc Nemeth, attorney[50]
General election
Results
See also
Notes
- ^ In the 2022 election, 22 of the elected senators were primarily Democrats. However, 3 of the elected senators were primarily affiliated with a different party but were also nominated by the Democratic Party and listed "Democratic" on the ballot as a secondary nomination.
- ^ In the 2022 election, 7 of the elected senators were primarily Republicans. However, 1 of the elected senators was primarily affiliated with a different party but was also nominated by the Republican Party and listed "Republican" on the ballot as a secondary nomination.
- ^ In the 2022 election, 1 of the elected senators was primarily a Progressive. However, 4 of the elected senators were primarily affiliated with a different party but were also nominated by the Progressive Party and listed "Progressive" on the ballot as a secondary nomination. Additionally, the elected senator that is primarily a Progressive was listed "Democratic" on the ballot as a secondary nomination.
References
- ^ "Vermont State Senate elections, 2024". Ballotpedia. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ Weinstein, Ethan (November 5, 2024). "Republicans flip six seats in the Vermont Senate, shattering Democratic supermajority". VTDigger. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ Mearhoff, Sarah (May 31, 2024). "Vermont House members hope to clinch Senate seats in open races". VTDigger. Retrieved June 14, 2024.
This year, Bennington, Caledonia, Orleans, and Windsor Counties will all see open Senate races as a result of the departures of Sen. Brian Campion, D-Bennington; Sen. Jane Kitchel, D-Caledonia; Sen. Bobby Starr, D-Orleans; and Sen. Dick McCormack, D-Windsor.
- ^ Jacobson, Louis (October 23, 2024). "The State Legislatures: Several Key Battleground Chambers Remain Toss-ups". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved November 19, 2024.
- ^ "2024 Vermont State Senate General Election Results". USA Today. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r "General Election Candidates". Vermont Secretary of State. May 13, 2024.
- ^ Flowers, John (March 15, 2024). "Starksboro Rep. Caleb Elder to run for state Senate". Addison County Independent. Retrieved March 30, 2024.
- ^ Krewinghaus, Graham (August 2, 2024). "In Addison Senate race, a House Democrat challenges two incumbents". VTDigger. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab "Unofficial Results". Vermont Secretary of State.
- ^ Flowers, John (August 1, 2024). "Candidate Q&A: Lesley J. Bienvenue, Republican, State Senate". Addison County Independent. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ Flowers, John (August 1, 2024). "Huntington Republican seeks Vt. Senate seat". Addison County Independent. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ Flowers, John (August 1, 2024). "Candidate Q&A: Steven Heffernan, Republican, State Senate". Addison County Independent. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Senator Brian Campion will not seek reelection to Vermont Senate; Sears and Bongartz announce companion run for Senate". The Bennington Banner. May 20, 2024. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ a b Fountain, Kristen (June 2, 2024). "Bennington County Senator Dick Sears has died at 81". VTDigger. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ a b c Therrien, Jim (August 8, 2024). "Primary ballot lineups are set for August 13 voting". The Bennington Banner. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
- ^ Therrien, Jim (July 1, 2024). "Plunkett will seek Democratic nomination for Senate". The Bennington Banner. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
- ^ a b c Therrien, Jim (July 31, 2024). "Second write-in candidate emerges for Senate nomination". The Bennington Banner. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
- ^ a b Therrien, Jim (July 18, 2024). "West announces bid for Senate from Bennington County". Manchester Journal. Retrieved August 17, 2024.
- ^ Rondeau, Mark (May 28, 2024). "Arlington resident Joe Gervais running for state Senate in Bennington District". Manchester Journal. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ "Busa, other Republicans added to November ballot". The Bennington Banner. August 20, 2024. Retrieved August 24, 2024.
- ^ Therrien, Jim (May 28, 2024). "Browning announces a run for the Vermont Senate". The Bennington Banner. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ Bauters, Klara (October 28, 2024). "Bennington County voters to choose two new senators for the first time in over three decades". VTDigger. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ a b c Robinson, Shaun (May 17, 2024). "After a career in public service, Jane Kitchel to retire from the Vermont Senate". VTDigger. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ Gray, Dana (May 28, 2024). "Amanda Cochrane Makes First Foray Into Politics At Urging From Senator Kitchel". The Caledonian-Record. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ Gray, Dana (June 21, 2024). "Self-proclaimed 'Blue Dog' Democrat Seeking Senate Seat". The Caledonian-Record. Retrieved July 6, 2024.
- ^ McGregor, Andrew (May 19, 2024). "Scott Beck Announces Candidacy For State Senate". The Caledonian-Record. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ Gray, Dana (May 28, 2024). "Repeat Senate Candidate Returns To Race That's Without Jane Kitchel". The Caledonian-Record. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ a b Mearhoff, Sarah (August 14, 2024). "Phil Scott backed candidates in 2 down-ballot Democratic primaries. It didn't work". VTDigger. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Vega de Soto, Juan (May 17, 2024). "Veteran broadcaster Stewart Ledbetter to run for Vermont Senate". VTDigger. Retrieved May 17, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h McDonald, Corey (July 28, 2024). "Can a veteran journalist unseat one of three senators he used to report on?". VTDigger. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g Stewart, Megan (June 4, 2024). "Primary Elections 2024: Who are Chittenden County's candidates for the Vermont Senate?". The Burlington Free Press. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ Darr, Liberty (October 10, 2024). "Candidates face off for three Chittenden Southeast Senate seats". The Other Paper. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ a b Heintz, Paul (May 26, 2024). "Dick Mazza, icon of the Vermont Senate, dies at 84". VTDigger. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
- ^ Duffort, Lola (May 21, 2024). "Gov. Scott appoints North Hero Democrat to fill Grand Isle Senate seat". Vermont Public. Retrieved May 22, 2024.
- ^ Ruehsen, Ella (May 20, 2024). "Julie Hulburd announces candidacy for Vermont State Senate". Colchester Sun. Retrieved August 4, 2024.
- ^ Gardner, Tommy (October 3, 2024). "Incumbent, newcomer square off for sole Senate seat". Morrisville News and Citizen. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ a b c Dreher, Isabel (June 6, 2024). "Vermont Primary Gives Sneak Peek At Ballot Choices". The Herald of Randolph. Retrieved June 19, 2024.
- ^ a b Mearhoff, Sarah (April 22, 2024). "Sen. Bobby Starr to retire after 46 years in Vermont Legislature". VTDigger. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
- ^ a b c Duric, Daniel (April 29, 2024). "Katherine Sims announces state senate run at Westfield event". Newport Dispatch. Retrieved May 29, 2024.
- ^ Barber, Ed (July 17, 2024). "Meet the Candidates: Conrad Bellavance, Orleans District Candidate for Senate". The Newport Daily Express. Retrieved July 30, 2024.
- ^ a b c Roy, Christopher (May 5, 2024). "Sam Douglass Announces Plans to Run for State Senate". The Newport Daily Express. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ Weinstein, Ethan (May 24, 2024). "Former Democratic lawmaker John Rodgers to run for lieutenant governor as a Republican". VTDigger. Retrieved May 25, 2024.
Asked why he chose to run for lieutenant governor...rather than seek the Senate seat opened up by the retirement of Sen. Bobby Starr, D-Orleans, Rodgers said he could be an 'advocate and a voice' for Vermonters who feel they've been 'left out' of the political process
- ^ Buckley-Clement, Sophia (October 31, 2024). "Barstow Memorial School holds election fair". Rutland Herald. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Blaisdell, Eric (October 14, 2024). "Three incumbents face three challengers for Washington County Senate district". Barre Montpelier Times Argus. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ a b Mays, Chris (October 31, 2024). "Republicans expect to make gains in Legislature". Brattleboro Reformer. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ Marcel, Joyce (September 24, 2024). "Republicans, independents mount challenges". The Commons. Retrieved November 5, 2024.
- ^ a b Mearhoff, Sarah (March 11, 2024). "Dick McCormack to retire after 3-decade Senate career". VTDigger. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
- ^ a b Adrian, Patrick (June 3, 2024). "Windsor County Senate races busy". Valley News. Retrieved June 5, 2024.
- ^ "Hartford treasurer launches campaign for Windsor County Senate seat". Valley News. April 5, 2024. Retrieved May 30, 2024.
- ^ a b c Adrian, Patrick (August 2, 2024). "Four vie for Democratic nomination to three Windsor County Senate seats". Valley News. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ a b Adrian, Patrick (August 2, 2024). "Four Windsor County Republicans vie for nomination to three Senate seats". Valley News. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ "Former Guv endorses Windsor Senate candidate" (Press release). August 30, 2024. Retrieved September 1, 2024.
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