The 2016 Vermont Senate election took place as part of the biennial

United States elections Elections in the United States are held for government officials at the federal, state, and local levels. At the federal level, the nation's head of state, the president, is elected indirectly by the people of each state, through an Electora ...

Vermont Vermont () is a state in the northeast New England region of the United States. Vermont is bordered by the states of Massachusetts to the south, New Hampshire to the east, and New York to the west, and the Canadian province of Quebec to ...

voters elected State Senators in all 30 seats. State senators serve two-year terms in the

Vermont Senate The Vermont Senate is the upper house of the Vermont General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Vermont. The senate consists of 30 members. Senate districting divides the 30 members into three single-member districts, six two-m ...

. The election coincided with

elections An election is a formal group decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual or multiple individuals to hold public office. Elections have been the usual mechanism by which modern representative democracy has operate ...

for other offices including the

Presidency A presidency is an administration or the executive, the collective administrative and governmental entity that exists around an office of president of a state or nation. Although often the executive branch of government, and often personified by a ...

U.S. Senate The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States. The composition and powe ...

U.S. House The United States House of Representatives, often referred to as the House of Representatives, the U.S. House, or simply the House, is the lower chamber of the United States Congress, with the Senate being the upper chamber. Together they c ...

Governor A governor is an administrative leader and head of a polity or political region, ranking under the head of state and in some cases, such as governors-general, as the head of state's official representative. Depending on the type of political ...

, and

State House State may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Literature * ''State Magazine'', a monthly magazine published by the U.S. Department of State * ''The State'' (newspaper), a daily newspaper in Columbia, South Carolina, United States * ''Our S ...

. A primary election held on August 9, 2016 determined which candidates appeared on the November 6 general election ballot. Following the 2014 Senate elections, Democrats maintained control of the Senate with 21 members in the majority caucus (19 Democrats and 2

Progressives Progressivism holds that it is possible to improve human societies through political action. As a political movement, progressivism seeks to advance the human condition through social reform based on purported advancements in science, techno ...

). To claim control of the chamber from Democrats, the

Republicans Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

would have needed to net gain 6 or 7 seats depending on the winner of the 2016 Vermont lieutenant gubernatorial election, which was Progressive Dave Zuckerman. However, in these elections, the Democrats instead gained 2 seats from the Republicans. After these elections,

Joe Benning Joseph Charles Benning (born December 7, 1956) is an American politician and a Republican member of the Vermont Senate representing Caledonia District since 2011. He served as the Senate's Minority leader from January 2013 to January 2017, when h ...

stepped down as Minority Leader and he was succeeded by Dustin Degree. Tim Ashe was elected as the new

President pro tempore A president pro tempore or speaker pro tempore is a constitutionally recognized officer of a legislative body who presides over the chamber in the absence of the normal presiding officer. The phrase ''pro tempore'' is Latin "for the time being". ...

to succeed John Campbell, who had retired.

Summary of results

Results summary

Incumbents defeated in the primary election

* Norm McAllister (R-Franklin), defeated by Carolyn Whitney Branagan (R)

Incumbents defeated in the general election

* Bill Doyle (R-Washington), defeated by Francis Brooks (D)

Open seats that changed parties

Helen Riehle Helen Riehle is an American politician from the state of Vermont who served as a U.S. Republican Party member of the Vermont Senate, representing all of Chittenden County except for the town of Colchester. She is chair of the South Burlington ...

(R-Chittenden) didn't seek re-election, seat won by

Debbie Ingram Debbie Ingram (born 1962) is an American politician, who served in the Vermont Senate from 2017 to 2021.

(D)

Detailed results

Addison

*Elects 2 senators. Incumbent Democrats Claire Ayer, who has represented the Addison district since 2003, and Christopher Bray, who has represented the Addison district since 2013, were re-elected.

Bennington

*Elects 2 senators. Incumbent Democrats

Dick Sears Richard Dudley Sears (October 26, 1861 – April 8, 1943) was an American tennis player, who won the US National Championships singles in its first seven years, from 1881 to 1887, and the doubles for six years from 1882 to 1887, after which he ...

, who has represented the Bennington district since 1993, and Brian Campion, who has represented the Bennington district since 2015, were both re-elected.

Caledonia

Incumbent Democrat

Jane Kitchel Martha Jane Beattie Kitchel (born August 23, 1945) is an American politician serving as a Democratic member of the Vermont State Senate, representing the Caledonia senate district since January 2005. Early life Kitchel was born in St. Johnsb ...

, who has represented the Caledonia district since 2005, and incumbent Republican Minority Leader

, who has represented the Caledonia district since 2011, were both re-elected. *Elects 2 senators.

Chittenden

*Elects 6 senators. Incumbent Democrats Tim Ashe, who has represented the Chittenden district since 2009,

Ginny Lyons Virginia "Ginny" V. Lyons (born September 24, 1944) is an American politician serving as a Democratic member of the Vermont State Senate, representing the Chittenden senate district. She was first elected to the Vermont State Senate in 2000 an ...

, who has represented the Chittenden district since 2001,

Michael Sirotkin Michael D. Sirotkin (born 1948) is an American politician and lawyer. Originally from Queens, New York, Sirotkin went to the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and the Sturm College of Law. Sirotkin met Sally Fox while taking a c ...

, who has represented the Chittenden district since 2014, and Phil Baruth, who has represented the Chittenden district since 2011, were all re-elected. Incumbent Progressive David Zuckerman, who has represented the Chittenden district since 2013, retired to run for

Lieutenant Governor A lieutenant governor, lieutenant-governor, or vice governor is a high officer of state, whose precise role and rank vary by jurisdiction. Often a lieutenant governor is the deputy, or lieutenant, to or ranked under a governor — a "second-in-comm ...

. Incumbent Republican

, who has represented the Chittenden district since 2016, didn't seek re-election. Progressive

Christopher Pearson Chris or Christopher Pearson may refer to: * Chris Pearson (boxer) (born 1990), American boxer * Chris Pearson (politician) (1931–2014), first premier of the Yukon * Christopher Pearson (Vermont politician) (born 1973), Vermont state legislator * ...

and Democrat

Debbie Ingram Debbie Ingram (born 1962) is an American politician, who served in the Vermont Senate from 2017 to 2021.

won the open seats.

Essex-Orleans

*Elects 2 senators. Incumbent Democrats

Robert Starr Robert A. Starr (born December 17, 1942) is an American politician from Vermont who currently serves as a Democratic member of the Vermont State Senate. He has represented the Essex-Orleans senate district since 2004. He had previously spent ...

, who has represented the Essex-Orleans district since 2005, and John Rodgers, who has represented the Essex-Orleans district since 2013, were both re-elected.

Franklin

*Elects 2 senators. Incumbent Republican Dustin Degree, who has represented the Franklin district since 2015, was re-elected. Incumbent Republican Norm McAllister, who has represented the Franklin district since 2013, lost re-nomination to fellow Republican Carolyn Whitney Branagan. Branagan won the open seat.

Grand Isle

*Elects 1 senator. Incumbent Democrat Richard Mazza, who has represented the Grand Isle district since 1985, was re-elected.

Lamoille

*Elects 1 senator. Incumbent Republican

Richard Westman Richard A. Westman (born 1959) is a Republican Party (United States), Republican politician who was elected and currently serves in the Vermont House of Representatives. He was a Representative of the Lamoille-4 Vermont Representative District, 20 ...

, who has represented the Lamoille district since 2011, was re-elected.

Orange

*Elects 1 senator. Incumbent Democrat

Mark MacDonald Mark MacDonald may refer to: * Mark MacDonald (bishop) Mark Lawrence MacDonald (born 15 January 1954) is a former Anglican bishop in the United States and Canada. From 2007 to 2022, he served as the National Indigenous Anglican Bishop ( Archbish ...

, who has represented the Orange district since 2003, was re-elected.

Rutland

*Elects 3 senators. Incumbent Republicans Peg Flory, who has represented the Rutland district since 2011,

Kevin Mullin Kevin Mullin (born June 15, 1970) is an American politician who is the U.S. representative-elect from California's 15th congressional district, having been first elected in 2022. A member of the Democratic Party, he has served as a member of ...

, who has represented the Rutland district since 2003, and

Brian Collamore Brian Collamore (born November 28, 1950) is an American politician who has served in the Vermont Senate from the Rutland Rutland () is a ceremonial county and unitary authority in the East Midlands, England. The county is bounded to the ...

, who has represented the Rutland district since 2015, were all re-elected.

Washington

*Elects 3 senators. Incumbent Democrat

Ann Cummings Ann Cummings (born July 20, 1946) is a Vermont businesswoman and Democratic politician. She has served as mayor of Montpelier and a State Senator. Biography Ann E. Cummings was born in Holliston, Massachusetts, on July 20, 1946. She was edu ...

, who has represented the Washington district since 1997, and incumbent Progressive Minority Leader

Anthony Pollina Anthony Pollina (born February 17, 1952) is an American Progressive politician who has served as a member of the Vermont Senate since 2011. Biography Anthony Pollina was born in Ridgewood, New Jersey on February 17, 1952, the son of Salvatore P ...

, who has represented the Washington district since 2011, were both re-elected. Incumbent Republican Bill Doyle, who has represented the Washington district since 1969, lost re-election to Democrat Francis Brooks.

Windham

*Elects 2 senators. Incumbent Democrat Majority Leader Becca Balint, who has represented the Windham district since 2015, and incumbent Democrat

Jeanette White Jeanette White (born May 2, 1943) is an American politician. A Democrat, she has served in the Vermont Senate The Vermont Senate is the upper house of the Vermont General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Vermont. The senate ...

, who has represented the Windham district since 2003, were both re-elected.

Windsor

*Elects 3 senators. Incumbent Democrats

Alice Nitka Alice Nitka (born 1944) is an American politician and former member of the Vermont Senate, where she represented the Windsor District which includes Ludlow, Vermont. A member of the Democratic Party Democratic Party most often refers to: *Democra ...

, who has represented the windsor district since 2007, and Richard McCormack, who has represented the Windsor district since 2007, were both re-elected. Incumbent Democrat Senate President pro tempore John Campbell, who has represented the Windsor district since 2001, retired. Fellow Democrat Alison Clarkson won the open seat.

References

{{2016 United States elections

Senate A senate is a deliberative assembly, often the upper house or chamber of a bicameral legislature. The name comes from the ancient Roman Senate (Latin: ''Senatus''), so-called as an assembly of the senior (Latin: ''senex'' meaning "the el ...

Vermont Senate elections