Vermont Democrats Reclaim Supermajority in State Legislature

Vermont voters restored Democratic supermajorities in both chambers of the state legislature on Tuesday. The results give Democrats the power to override vetoes from Governor Phil Scott, who won reelection to a sixth term as the only Republican to win a statewide race.

Preliminary counts show Democrats expanding their presence in the 30-member Senate from 16 seats to 20. Republican representation in the upper chamber dropped from 13 to eight. The new Senate composition will include a Democratic lieutenant governor who will preside over the body, along with members from the Progressive Party and independent candidates.

In the 150-member House, Democratic seats increased from 87 to 102. This total exceeds the two-thirds threshold required to pass legislation over a gubernatorial veto. Including seven Progressives and three independents, Democrats and their allies hold a potential bloc of 112 lawmakers against the 38 remaining Republicans.

Liam O’Sullivan, the House caucus director for the Vermont Democratic Party, described the mood among party members as jubilant. He noted that the energy in the room was high after the difficult election cycle of 2024. O’Sullivan credited political newcomer Amanda Janoo for energizing the party and keeping Governor Scott on defense.

He identified two specific veto decisions by the governor in the previous term as factors that hurt Republicans. Scott vetoed a bill to restrict data center development and another aimed at controlling health care premiums. O’Sullivan said voters strongly support those issues.

Paul Dame, chair of the Vermont Republican Party, stated that Scott’s personal popularity insulated him from broader disapproval of President Donald Trump. Dame acknowledged that some Republican lawmakers with less name recognition did not survive the shift in voter preference.

Senate Minority Leader Scott Beck of Caledonia County, a Republican, said the party was disappointed that voters chose a supermajority instead of balance. Beck himself won reelection by fewer than 200 votes. He and his party celebrated Scott’s victory but lamented the legislative losses.

Key district races in the state saw shifts in representation. In Chittenden North District, which includes Milton and Fairfax, former senator Irene Wrenner of Essex defeated Republican Ashley Bartley. In Addison County, Democrat Hannah Sessions ousted incumbent Republican Senator Steve Heffernan. In Grand Isle, Democrat Kim Gleason defeated incumbent Republican Senator Pat Brennan.

In Rutland County, independent candidate David Wolk won one of three Senate seats, replacing Senator Terry Williams. Williams was arrested last week on suspicion of domestic assault. In Orange County, Representative Monique Priestly of Bradford defeated incumbent Republican John Benson to secure a Senate seat.

Burlington’s representation in the House also changed in several districts. In the New North End, former city councilor Ali Dieng defeated independent Dave Hartnett to join incumbent Democrat Carol Ode. In the Chittenden-16 district, Progressives Trang Do and Jeffrey Peterson won both seats, replacing outgoing Speaker Jill Krowinski and Kate Logan.

In Chittenden-15, Democrat Ben Bosley and incumbent Brian Cina won the two seats. They replaced Troy Headrick, who had left the Progressive Party to run as an independent. Some contests in the state remained too close to call, with a recount likely in Hardwick and a two-vote margin in southern Franklin County.

The new legislative session begins in January. With the expanded Democratic bloc, the chamber is positioned to push forward legislation that may have faced veto hurdles in the previous two years.