The 2022 Vermont Senate election took place on November 8, 2022, as part of the

biennial Biennial means (an event) lasting for two years or occurring every two years. The related term biennium is used in reference to a period of two years. In particular, it can refer to: * Biennial plant, a plant which blooms in its second year and th ...

United States elections. 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 administration, public office. Elections have been the usual mechanism by which modern representative ...

for other offices including the

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 pow ...

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 ...

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.

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 all 30 state senators from 16 districts, with each district electing between one and three senators. 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 ...

. Primary elections were held on August 9, 2022. This election will be the first to use new districts adopted by the

Vermont General Assembly The Vermont General Assembly is the legislative body of the state of Vermont, in the United States. The Legislature is formally known as the "General Assembly," but the style of "Legislature" is commonly used, including by the body itself. The G ...

to allocate for population changes across the state after the 2020 census.

Democrat Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to: Politics *A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people. *A member of a Democratic Party: **Democratic Party (United States) (D) **Democratic ...

s and Progressives retained their combined 23-seat supermajority. Because Democrats and Progressives simultaneously won a supermajority in the Vermont House of Representatives for the first time ever, this meant that they could pass bills that were

veto A veto is a legal power to unilaterally stop an official action. In the most typical case, a president or monarch vetoes a bill to stop it from becoming law. In many countries, veto powers are established in the country's constitution. Veto ...

ed by Republican

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 ...

Phil Scott Philip Brian Scott (born August 4, 1958) is an American politician, businessman and stock car racer who has served as the 82nd governor of Vermont since 2017. A member of the Republican Party, he was elected governor in the 2016 general electi ...

. Republicans lost one seat during redistricting, as

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 ...

's Caledonia County seat was eliminated, but they made up for this loss by gaining a seat from Democrats in Rutland County. Democrats still managed to have a net gain of one seat, as they won the newly created Chittenden North district and gained a seat from Progressives in Washington County. This left newly elected senator Tanya Vyhovsky as the only Progressive in the Senate, although four of the elected Democrats were also nominated by the Progressive Party and appeared on the ballot as "Democratic/Progressive."

Summary of results

Retiring incumbents

Ten incumbent senators (5 Democrats, 3 Republicans and both Progressives) had announced they would not seek reelection. #Caledonia:

(R) ''( ran for Lieutenant Governor)'' #Chittenden: Christopher Pearson (P/D) #Chittenden: Michael Sirotkin (D) #Franklin: Corey Parent (R) #Rutland: Joshua Terenzini (R) #Rutland:

Cheryl Hooker Cheryl Mazzariello Hooker (born February 15, 1950) is an American politician. She has served in the Vermont Senate from the Rutland district since 2019. She previously served in the Vermont Senate from 1997 to 1999 and several terms in the Ver ...

(D/P) #Washington:

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 ...

(P/D) #Windham:

Becca Balint Rebecca A. "Becca" Balint (born May 4, 1968) is an American politician who is a member of the United States House of Representatives from Vermont's at-large congressional district as a member of the Democratic Party. She served as a member of ...

(D) ''( ran for U.S. House'') #Windham:

Jeanette White Jeanette White (born May 2, 1943) is an American politician. A Democrat, she has served in the Vermont Senate from the Windham district since 2003. Biography White was born on May 2, 1943, in Thief River Falls, Minnesota. White moved to Verm ...

(D) #Windsor: Alice Nitka (D)

Leadership selection

With incumbent Democratic president pro tempore

retiring to run for U.S. House, Democrats had to nominate a new candidate who would take the position in the event they retained their majority. Ahead of the November 13 leadership vote, Philip Baruth of Chittenden was running unopposed.

Andrew Perchlik Andrew John Perchlik (born June 3, 1968) is an American activist and politician from Vermont. A Democrat, in 2018 he was elected to the Vermont Senate from the three-member at-large Washington County Senate District. Early life and education ...

Washington Washington commonly refers to: * Washington (state), United States * Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States ** A metonym for the federal government of the United States ** Washington metropolitan area, the metropolitan area centered o ...

had expressed interest in running but decided against it, and told

VTDigger VTDigger is an investigative journalism platform that reports on politics, businesses, events, and public policy of Vermont. VTDigger was founded in September 2009 by its current Executive Director, Anne Galloway, who was nominated for the "Verm ...

that the president pro tempore election was "not much of a race." Kesha Ram Hinsdale of Chittenden and Senate Majority Leader Alison Clarkson of

Windsor Windsor may refer to: Places Australia * Windsor, New South Wales ** Municipality of Windsor, a former local government area * Windsor, Queensland, a suburb of Brisbane, Queensland **Shire of Windsor, a former local government authority around Wi ...

, who had been speculated as potential candidates by media, both said they would not run and endorsed Baruth's bid. Democrats retained their Senate majority and Baruth was unanimously elected as the new president pro tempore, becoming the second president pro tempore to caucus with both Democrats and Progressives after

Tim Ashe Timothy R. Ashe (born December 10, 1976) is an American politician who ran for a wide range of political offices in Vermont and served as a Democrat/Progressive in the Vermont State Senate from Chittenden County from 2009 to 2021 and as Presiden ...

. Additionally, Clarkson was reelected as Majority Leader and Perchlik was elected Majority Whip, succeeding the retiring

Detailed results

Addison

*Elects two senators. Incumbent Democrats

Ruth Hardy Ruth Hardy (born 1970) is an American political figure from East Middlebury, Vermont. A Democrat, she was elected to the Vermont Senate in 2018. Early life Ruth Ellen Hardy was born in the Tompkins County area of New York circa 1970, a daught ...

, who has represented the district since 2019, and Christopher Bray, who has represented the district since 2013, are both running for re-election.

Democratic primary

* Christopher Bray, incumbent senator *

, incumbent senator

Republican primary

*Lloyd Dike, nursing assistant and

U.S. Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, cl ...

veteran ''(write-in)'' *Robert Burton, farmer and former

U.S. Navy The United States Navy (USN) is the maritime service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. It is the largest and most powerful navy in the world, with the estimated tonnage o ...

pilot ''(write-in)''

Independents

*Mason Wade, homesteader and candidate for this district in

2018 File:2018 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in PyeongChang, South Korea; Protests erupt following the Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi; March for Our Lives protests take place across the Unit ...

and

2020 2020 was heavily defined by the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to global social and economic disruption, mass cancellations and postponements of events, worldwide lockdowns and the largest economic recession since the Great Depression in t ...

General election

Bennington

*Elects two senators. Incumbent Democrats Dick Sears, who has represented the district since 1993, and Brian Campion, who has represented the district since 2015, are both running for re-election.

Democratic primary

* Brian Campion, incumbent senator * Dick Sears, incumbent senator

Republican primary

General election

People who received three or more write-in votes include Gerald Malloy (7), Mary Morrissey (7), Christina Nolan (5),

Donald Trump Donald John Trump (born June 14, 1946) is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021. Trump graduated from the Wharton School of the University of P ...

(5), and Ericka Redic (3).

Caledonia

*Elects one senator. Following statewide redistricting, the Caledonia district now only elects one senator instead of two. 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. John ...

, who has represented the district since 2005, is running for re-election. Incumbent Republican

, who has represented the district since 2011, is retiring to run for Lieutenant Governor.

Democratic primary

, incumbent senator

Republican primary

*J.T. Dodge, anti-

carbon tax A carbon tax is a tax levied on the carbon emissions required to produce goods and services. Carbon taxes are intended to make visible the "hidden" social costs of carbon emissions, which are otherwise felt only in indirect ways like more sev ...

activist, former vice chair of the

Vermont Libertarian Party The Libertarian Party of Vermont is the Vermont affiliate of the Libertarian Party. The state chair is Olga Mardach-Duclerc. The Libertarian Party is the 5th largest in Vermont after the Democratic, Republican, Progressive, and Liberty Unio ...

, and Libertarian nominee for this district in

General election

Chittenden Central

*Elects three senators. Following statewide redistricting, the former Chittenden district which elected six senators, was split up into three new districts Chittenden Central which elects three senators, Chittenden North which elects one senator, and Chittenden Southeast which also elects three senators. Incumbent Democrat Philip Baruth, who has represented the Chittenden district since 2011, is running for re-election here. Incumbent Progressive Christopher Pearson, who has represented the Chittenden district since 2017, is retiring.

Democratic primary

*Andrew Brown, president of the

Essex Junction Essex Junction is a city in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 U.S. census, the population was 10,590. It was municipal incorporation, incorporated as a List_of_municipalities_in_Vermont#Villages, ...

Board of Trustees ''(withdrew, remained on ballot)'' *Dawn Ellis, member of the Vermont Human Rights Commission and candidate for this district in

2014 File:2014 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Stocking up supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the Western African Ebola virus epidemic; Citizens examining the ruins after the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping; Bundles of wat ...

and

2016 File:2016 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Bombed-out buildings in Ankara following the 2016 Turkish coup d'état attempt; the Impeachment of Dilma Rousseff, impeachment trial of Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff; Damaged houses duri ...

* Philip Baruth, incumbent senator * Martine Gulick, Burlington school board member *Erhard Mahnke, former president of the

Burlington city council Burlington City Council is the city council responsible for the city of Burlington, Ontario, Canada. The council consists of the mayor plus six councillors. Current City Council (2022-2026) Council elected in the 2022 municipal election: Pas ...

and candidate for this district in

* Tanya Vyhovsky, state representative

Independents

*Infinite Culcleasure, community advocate and candidate for mayor of Burlington in

General election

People who received three or more write-in votes include Kurt Wright (17), Erhard Mahnke (14), Irene Wrenner (14), Ericka Redic (11), Leland Morgan (6),

Richard Mazza Richard Thomas Mazza (born September 4, 1939) is an American businessman and politician from Vermont. A Democrat, he has served as a member of the Vermont Senate since 1985, making him the body's dean, or longest-serving member. Mazza repres ...

(5),

Liam Madden Liam Madden (born 1983/1984) is an American United States Marine Corps, Marine veteran, entrepreneur, and anti-war activist. Although a political independent, he was the Republican Party (United States), Republican Party nominee in the 2022 United ...

(4), Miriam Berry (3), Gerald Malloy (3), and

Thomas Chittenden Thomas Chittenden (January 6, 1730August 25, 1797) was an American politician from Vermont, who was a leader of the territory for nearly two decades. Chittenden was the first and third governor of the state of Vermont, serving from 1778 to 1789 ...

(3).

Chittenden North

*Elects one senator. Following statewide redistricting, the former Chittenden district which elected six senators, was split up into three new districts Chittenden Central which elects three senators, Chittenden North which elects one senator, and Chittenden Southeast which also elects three senators. The new Chittenden North district has no incumbent.

Democratic primary

*Brian Shelden, chair of

Essex Essex () is a county in the East of England. One of the home counties, it borders Suffolk and Cambridgeshire to the north, the North Sea to the east, Hertfordshire to the west, Kent across the estuary of the River Thames to the south, and Grea ...

Democrats and former director of the Essex Economic Development Commission * Irene Wrenner, journalist and former

selectman

Republican primary

* Leland Morgan, state representative

General election

Brian Shelden, the runner-up in the Democratic primary, received 21 write-in votes.

Chittenden Southeast

, who has represented the Chittenden district since 2021, Ginny Lyons, who has represented the Chittenden district since 2001, and Kesha Ram Hinsdale, who has represented the Chittenden district since 2021, are all running for re-election here. Incumbent Democrat Michael Sirotkin, who has represented the Chittenden district since 2014, is retiring.

Democratic primary

, incumbent senator * Ginny Lyons, incumbent senator *Steve May, social worker, former Richmond and

Bolton Bolton (, locally ) is a large town in Greater Manchester in North West England, formerly a part of Lancashire. A former mill town, Bolton has been a production centre for textiles since Flemish weavers settled in the area in the 14th ...

selectman, and candidate for this district in

and

*Lewis Mudge,

Charlotte Charlotte ( ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. Located in the Piedmont region, it is the county seat of Mecklenburg County. The population was 874,579 at the 2020 census, making Charlotte the 16th-most populo ...

selectman * Kesha Ram Hinsdale, incumbent senator

Republican primary

After nobody won the Republican nomination, two replacement candidates filed to run: *Dean Rolland, small business owner and candidate for this district in

*Rohan St. Marthe, video producer

General election

People who received three or more write-in votes include Lewis Mudge (10), Philip Baruth (3), Randy Brock (3), Gerald Malloy (3), and Christina Nolan (3).

Essex

*Elects one senator. Following statewide redistricting, the former Essex-Orleans district which elected two senators has been split up into the Essex and Oreans districts, which each elect one senator. Incumbent Republican Russ Ingalls, who has represented the Essex-Orleans district since 2021, is running for re-election.

Republican primary

* Russ Ingalls, incumbent senator

Democratic primary

General election

People who received three or more write-in votes include Robert Starr (12),

John Rodgers John Rodgers may refer to: Military * John Rodgers (1728–1791), colonel during the Revolutionary War and owner of Rodgers Tavern, Perryville, Maryland * John Rodgers (naval officer, born 1772), U.S. naval officer during the War of 1812, first ...

(9), J.T. Dodge (6),

(5),

(4),

Brenda Siegel Brenda Lynn Siegel is an American activist and politician who was the Democratic nominee in the 2022 Vermont gubernatorial election. She previously ran in the Democratic primaries for lieutenant governor of Vermont in 2020 and for governor of ...

(4),

Patrick Leahy Patrick Joseph Leahy (; born March 31, 1940) is an American politician and attorney who is the senior United States senator from Vermont and serves as the president pro tempore of the United States Senate. A member of the Democratic Party, ...

(3), Brian Smith (3), and

Peter Welch Peter Francis Welch (born May 2, 1947) is an American lawyer and politician who is a United States senator-elect from Vermont, and the current U.S. representative for since 2007. A member of the Democratic Party, he has been a major figure i ...

(3).

Franklin

*Elects two senators. Incumbent Republican Randy Brock, who has represented this district since 2017, is running for re-election. Incumbent Republican Corey Parent, who has represented this district since 2019, is retiring.

Republican primary

* Randy Brock, incumbent senator * Robert Norris, state representative and former Franklin County Sheriff

Democratic primary

*Pam McCarthy, former nonprofit executive, mother of state representative

Mike McCarthy Michael John McCarthy (born November 10, 1963) is an American football coach who is the head coach of the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). From 2006 to 2018, he was the head coach of the Green Bay Packers. In 2011, he led t ...

, and candidate for this district in

*Jessie Palczewski, small business owner

General election

Leland Morgan received three write-in votes.

Grand Isle

*Elects one senator. Incumbent Democrat

, who has represented this district since 1985, is running for re-election.

Democratic primary

, incumbent senator

Republican primary

*Stephen Bellows, landscaping contractor ''(also ran for governor)''

General election

Lamoille

*Elects one senator. Incumbent Republican Richard Westman, who has represented this district since 2011, is running for re-election.

Republican primary

* Richard Westman, incumbent senator

Democratic primary

General election

People who received three or more write-in votes include Lucy Rogers (9), David Yacovone (4), Gerald Malloy (3), Bernie Sanders (3), and

Shap Smith Shapleigh "Shap" Smith, Jr. (born December 16, 1965) is an American politician who served as the 92nd Speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives. In August 2015 Smith announced his candidacy for the 2016 Democratic nomination for Governor ...

(3).

Orange

*Elects one senator. Incumbent Democrat Mark MacDonald, who has represented this district since 2003, is running for re-election.

Democratic primary

* Mark MacDonald, incumbent senator

Republican primary

*John Klar, attorney, farmer, and candidate for

Governor of Vermont The governor of Vermont is the head of government of Vermont. The officeholder is elected in even-numbered years by direct voting for a term of 2 years. Vermont and bordering New Hampshire are the only states to hold gubernatorial elections every ...

General election

Orleans

*Elects one senator. Following statewide redistricting, the former Essex-Orleans district which elected two senators has been split up into the Essex and Orleans districts, which each elect one senator. Incumbent Democrat Robert Starr, who has represented the Essex-Orleans district since 2005, is running for re-election here.

Democratic primary

* Robert Starr, incumbent senator

Republican primary

*Samuel Douglass, chair of Vermont Young Republicans

General election

Rutland

*Elects three senators. Incumbent Republican Brian Collamore, who has represented the district since 2015, is running for re-election. Incumbent Democrat

, who has represented the district since 2019, and incumbent Republican Joshua Terenzini, who has represented the district since 2021, are both retiring.

Republican primary

* Brian Collamore, incumbent senator * Dave Weeks, national security expert and military veteran * Terry Williams, Poultney selectman and candidate for this district in

Democratic primary

*Joshua Ferguson, sailboat repairman ''(write-in)'' *Bridgette Remington, attorney *Anna Tadio, Rutland city councillor and vice chair of the Rutland County Democratic Party

General election

Washington

*Elects three senators. Incumbent Democrats Ann Cummings, who has represented the district since 1997, and

, who has represented the district since 2019, are both seeking re-election. Incumbent Progressive Leader

, who has represented the district since 2011, is retiring.

Democratic primary

* Ann Cummings, incumbent senator *Jared Duval, semiconductor manufacturing executive *Jeremy Hansen,

Berlin Berlin ( , ) is the capital and List of cities in Germany by population, largest city of Germany by both area and population. Its 3.7 million inhabitants make it the European Union's List of cities in the European Union by population within ci ...

selectman and Independent candidate for this district in 2012 *

, incumbent senator * Anne Watson, mayor of Montpelier

Republican primary

*Paul Bean *Dexter Lefavour, farmer, engineer, and candidate for this district in 2012 ''(write-in)'' *Dwayne Tucker, civil engineer and candidate for

Lieutenant Governor of Vermont The lieutenant governor of Vermont is elected for a two-year term and chosen separately from the governor. The Vermont Lieutenant Governor's main responsibilities include acting as governor when the governor is out of state or incapacitated, presi ...

General election

People who received three or more write-in votes include John Klar (36), Jared Duval (33), Jeremy Hansen (5), Richard Westman (4), Mark MacDonald (3), and Bernie Sanders (3).

Windham

*Elects two senators. Incumbent Democrat Senate President pro tempore

, who has represented the district since 2015, is retiring to run for

Congress A congress is a formal meeting of the representatives of different countries, constituent states, organizations, trade unions, political parties, or other groups. The term originated in Late Middle English to denote an encounter (meeting of ...

. Incumbent Democrat

, who has represented the district since 2003, is also retiring.

Democratic primary

*Wichie Artu, farmer * Wendy Harrison, traveling municipal manager * Nader Hashim, former state representative

Republican primary

*Mark Coester, logger ''(also running for U.S. Senate as an Independent)'' *Richard Kenyon, tax preparer *Richard Morton, chair of the Windham County Republican Party and nominee for

Vermont State Treasurer The State Treasurer's Office is responsible for several administrative and service duties, in accordance with Vermont Statutes. These include: investing state funds; issuing state bonds; serving as the central bank for state agencies; managing the ...

''(also running for state auditor)'' After winning the primary, Mark Coester filed to run as an Independent instead. The Windham County Republican Committee chose Richard Morton, the third-place primary finisher, to replace him as the second Republican on the general election ballot.

Independents

*Mark Coester, logger *Tim Wessel,

Brattleboro Brattleboro (), originally Brattleborough, is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The most populous municipality abutting Vermont's eastern border with New Hampshire, which is the Connecticut River, Brattleboro is located about no ...

selectman

General election

Wichie Artu, the loser of the Democratic primary, received 20 write-in votes.

Windsor

*Elects three senators. Incumbent Democrats Alison Clarkson, who has represented the district since 2017, and Richard McCormack, who has represented the district since 2007, are both seeking re-election. Incumbent Democrat Alice Nitka, who has represented the district since 2007, is retiring.

Democratic primary

* Alison Clarkson, incumbent senator * Richard McCormack, incumbent senator *Chris Morrow, former bookstore owner ''(withdrew, remained on ballot)'' *

Rebecca White Rebecca Peta White (born 4 February 1983) is an Australian politician. She has been the Leader of the Opposition in Tasmania and Leader of the Parliamentary Labor Party in Tasmania since July 2021, having previously served in that role from ...

, state representative

Republican primary

*Dana Colson, welding supplies company owner and candidate for

*Alice Flanders, former teacher and retired

engineer *Bill Huff, retired pilot and nominee for the

Orange Orange most often refers to: *Orange (fruit), the fruit of the tree species '' Citrus'' × ''sinensis'' ** Orange blossom, its fragrant flower *Orange (colour), from the color of an orange, occurs between red and yellow in the visible spectrum * ...

district in

''(write-in, also running for state house)''

General election

People who received three or more write-in votes include John Klar (11), Anna Tadio (4),

Cris Ericson Cris Ericson (born May 16, 1952) is an American marijuana legalization activist and perennial candidate for public office in Vermont. She has unsuccessfully run for the governorship of Vermont nine times and for a seat in the United States Cong ...

(3), Gerald Malloy (3), Chris Morrow (3), and David Zuckerman (3).

Notes

References

{{Vermont Senate

Vermont Senate elections

Summary of results

Retiring incumbents

Leadership selection

Detailed results

Addison

Democratic primary

Republican primary

Independents

General election

Bennington

Democratic primary

Republican primary

General election

Caledonia

Democratic primary

Republican primary

General election

Chittenden Central

Democratic primary

Independents

General election

Chittenden North

Democratic primary

Republican primary

General election

Chittenden Southeast

Democratic primary

Republican primary

General election

Essex

Republican primary

Democratic primary

General election

Franklin

Republican primary

Democratic primary

General election

Grand Isle

Democratic primary

Republican primary

General election

Lamoille

Republican primary

Democratic primary

General election

Orange

Democratic primary

Republican primary

General election

Orleans

Democratic primary

Republican primary

General election

Rutland

Republican primary

Democratic primary

General election

Washington

Democratic primary

Republican primary

General election

Windham

Democratic primary

Republican primary

Independents

General election

Windsor

Democratic primary

Republican primary

General election

See also

Notes

References