2016 Vermont Senate election

Last updated

2016 Vermont Senate election
Flag of Vermont.svg
  2014 November 8, 2016 2018  

All 30 seats in the Vermont Senate
15 (plus the Lt. Gov.) seats needed for a majority
 Majority partyMinority partyThird party
  3x4.svg Joebenning4 (cropped).jpg Anthony Pollina (cropped).jpg
Leader John Campbell
(retired)
Joe Benning Anthony Pollina
Party Democratic Republican Progressive
Leader sinceJanuary 5, 2011January 9, 20132013
Leader's seatWindsorFranklinWashington
Last election1992
Seats won21 [a] 7 [b] 2 [c]
Seat changeIncrease2.svg2Decrease2.svg2Steady2.svg
Popular vote436,878188,04746,404
Percentage61.65%26.53%6.55%

2016 Vermont Senate election map.svg
Results:
     Democratic gain
     Democratic hold     Republican hold
     Progressive hold

President pro tempore before election

John Campbell
Democratic

Elected President pro tempore

Tim Ashe
Democratic/Progressive

The 2016 Vermont Senate election took place as part of the biennial United States elections. Vermont voters elected State Senators in all 30 seats. State senators serve two-year terms in the Vermont Senate. The election coincided with elections for other offices including the Presidency, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Governor, and State House. A primary election held on August 9, 2016 determined which candidates appeared on the November 6 general election ballot. [1]

Contents

Following the 2014 Senate elections, Democrats maintained control of the Senate with 21 members in the majority caucus (19 Democrats and two Progressives). To claim control of the chamber from Democrats, the Republicans would have needed to net gain six or seven 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 two seats from the Republicans. After these elections, Joe Benning stepped down as Minority Leader and was succeeded by Dustin Degree. Tim Ashe was elected as the new President pro tempore to succeed John Campbell, who had retired.

Summary of results

State Senate district Incumbent PartyElected SenatorParty
Addison Claire Ayer Dem Claire Ayer Dem
Christopher Bray Dem Christopher Bray Dem
Bennington Dick Sears Dem Dick Sears Dem
Brian Campion Dem Brian Campion Dem
Caledonia Jane Kitchel Dem/Rep Jane Kitchel Dem/Rep
Joe Benning Rep/Dem Joe Benning Rep/Dem
Chittenden Tim Ashe Dem/Prog Tim Ashe Dem/Prog
Ginny Lyons Dem Ginny Lyons Dem
Helen Riehle Rep Debbie Ingram Dem
Michael Sirotkin Dem Michael Sirotkin Dem
Phil Baruth Dem/Prog Phil Baruth Dem/Prog
David Zuckerman Prog/Dem Christopher Pearson Prog/Dem
Essex-Orleans Robert Starr Dem/Rep Robert Starr Dem/Rep
John Rodgers Dem John Rodgers Dem
Franklin Dustin Degree Rep Dustin Degree Rep
Norm McAllister Rep Carolyn Whitney Branagan Rep
Grand Isle Richard Mazza Dem/Rep Richard Mazza Dem/Rep
Lamoille Richard Westman Rep Richard Westman Rep
Orange Mark MacDonald Dem Mark MacDonald Dem
Rutland Peg Flory Rep Peg Flory Rep
Kevin Mullin Rep Kevin Mullin Rep
Brian Collamore Rep Brian Collamore Rep
Washington Ann Cummings Dem Ann Cummings Dem
Anthony Pollina Prog/Dem Anthony Pollina Prog/Dem
Bill Doyle Rep Francis Brooks Dem
Windham Jeanette White Dem Jeanette White Dem
Becca Balint Dem Becca Balint Dem
Windsor John Campbell Dem Alison Clarkson Dem
Alice Nitka Dem Alice Nitka Dem
Richard McCormack Dem/Prog Richard McCormack Dem/Prog

Results summary

PartyCandi-
dates
VotesSeats
No. %No.+/– %
Democratic 27436,87861.64621Increase2.svg270.00
Republican 19188,04726.5347Decrease2.svg223.33
Progressive 246,4046.5482Steady2.svg6.67
Independent 429,8964.2190Steady2.svg0.00
Liberty Union 22,9660.4190Steady2.svg0.00
Marijuana 12,4430.3450Steady2.svg0.00
Write-in 2,0510.2890Steady2.svg0.00
Total55708,68510030Steady2.svg100
Senate seats
Democratic
70.00%
Republican
23.33%
Progressive
6.67%
Popular vote
Democratic
61.646%
Republican
26.534%
Progressive
6.548%
Independent
4.219%
Liberty Union
0.419%
Marijuana
0.345%
Write-in
0.289%

Incumbents defeated in the primary election

Incumbents defeated in the general election

Open seats that changed parties

Detailed results

[2]

AddisonBenningtonCaledoniaChittendenEssex-OrleansFranklinGrand IsleLamoilleOrangeRutlandWashingtonWindhamWindsor

Addison

Incumbent Democrats Claire Ayer, who had represented the Addison district since 2003, and Christopher Bray, who had represented the Addison district since 2013, were re-elected.

Vermont Senate Addison district general election, 2016
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Claire Ayer (incumbent) 11,988 29.03%
Democratic Christopher Bray (incumbent) 9,545 23.12%
Republican Peter Briggs7,33017.75%
Republican Lynn Dike5,9635,963
N/A Blanks6,42515.56%
N/A Write-ins260.06%
N/A Overvotes120.03%
Total votes41,289 100%
Democratic hold
Democratic hold

Bennington

Incumbent Democrats Dick Sears, who had represented the Bennington district since 1993, and Brian Campion, who had represented the Bennington district since 2015, were both re-elected.

Vermont Senate Bennington district general election, 2016
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Dick Sears (incumbent) 13,333 35.43%
Democratic Brian Campion (incumbent) 11,507 30.58%
N/A Blanks12,52633.29%
N/A Write-ins2380.63%
N/A Overvotes280.07%
Total votes37,632 100%
Democratic hold
Democratic hold

Caledonia

Incumbent Democrat Jane Kitchel, who had represented the Caledonia district since 2005, and incumbent Republican Minority Leader Joe Benning, who had represented the Caledonia district since 2011, were both re-elected.

Vermont Senate Caledonia district election, 2016
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Jane Kitchel (incumbent) [d] 12,383 33.11%
Republican Joe Benning (incumbent) [e] 10,908 29.17%
Marijuana Galen Dively III2,4436.53%
N/A Blanks11,53830.86%
N/A Write-ins1080.29%
N/A Overvotes140.04%
Total votes37,394 100%
Democratic hold
Republican hold

Chittenden

Incumbent Democrats Tim Ashe, who had represented the Chittenden district since 2009, Ginny Lyons, who had represented the Chittenden district since 2001, Michael Sirotkin, who had represented the Chittenden district since 2014, and Phil Baruth, who had represented the Chittenden district since 2011, were all re-elected. Incumbent Progressive David Zuckerman, who had represented the Chittenden district since 2013, retired to run for lieutenant governor. Incumbent Republican Helen Riehle, who had represented the Chittenden district since 2016, did not seek re-election. Progressive Christopher Pearson and Democrat Debbie Ingram won the open seats.

Vermont Senate Chittenden district Democratic primary election, 2016
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Tim Ashe (incumbent) 13,175 11.26%
Democratic Ginny Lyons (incumbent) 12,185 10.41%
Democratic Michael Sirotkin (incumbent) 10,471 8.95%
Democratic Phil Baruth (incumbent) 9,238 7.89%
Democratic Christopher Pearson 8,325 7.11%
Democratic Debbie Ingram 7,386 6.31%
Democratic David Scherr7,0095.99%
Democratic Faisal Gill6,6455.68%
Democratic Dawn Ellis6,4885.54%
Democratic Nick Cook2,8302.42%
Democratic Louis Meyers2,3842.04%
N/A Blanks30,66826.21%
N/A Write-ins1530.13%
N/A Overvotes730.06%
Total votes117,030 100%
Vermont Senate Chittenden district general election, 2016
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Tim Ashe (incumbent) [f] 44,297 9.78%
Democratic Ginny Lyons (incumbent) 41,223 9.10%
Democratic Debbie Ingram 40,467 8.93%
Democratic Michael Sirotkin (incumbent) 37,585 8.30%
Democratic Phil Baruth (incumbent) [f] 37,453 8.27%
Progressive Christopher Pearson [g] 31,192 6.89%
Republican John C. Gifford25,3465.59%
Independent Tom Licata17,0213.76%
N/A Blanks177,24239.12%
N/A Write-ins8180.18%
N/A Overvotes3860.09%
Total votes453,030 100%
Democratic hold
Democratic hold
Democratic gain from Republican
Democratic hold
Democratic hold
Progressive hold

Essex-Orleans

Incumbent Democrats Robert Starr, who had represented the Essex-Orleans district since 2005, and John Rodgers, who had represented the Essex-Orleans district since 2013, were both re-elected.

Vermont Senate Essex-Orleans district Democratic primary election, 2016
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Robert Starr (incumbent) 1,643 29.46%
Democratic John Rodgers (incumbent) 1,634 29.29%
Democratic Ron Horton71212.76%
N/A Blanks1,55727.91%
N/A Write-ins310.56%
N/A Overvotes10.02%
Total votes5,578 100%
Vermont Senate Essex-Orleans district general election, 2016
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Robert Starr (incumbent) 9,381 26.72%
Democratic John Rodgers (incumbent) 8,601 24.50%
Republican Marcia Horne5,19914.81%
Republican Eric O. Collins4,63713.21%
N/A Blanks7,18220.46%
N/A Write-ins540.15%
N/A Overvotes480.14%
Total votes35,102 100%
Democratic hold
Democratic hold

Franklin

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

Vermont Senate Franklin district Republican primary election, 2016
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Dustin Degree (incumbent) 2,856 36.66%
Republican Carolyn Whitney Branagan 2,570 32.99%
Republican Norm McAllister (incumbent)81410.45%
N/A Blanks1,30916.80%
N/A Write-ins961.23%
N/A Overvotes1451.86%
Total votes7,790 100%
Vermont Senate Franklin district general election, 2016
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Dustin Degree (incumbent) 10,546 24.88%
Republican Carolyn Whitney Branagan 9,426 22.24%
Democratic Sara Brannon Kittell8,53720.14%
Democratic Denise Smith6,21314.66%
N/A Blanks7,59617.92%
N/A Write-ins470.11%
N/A Overvotes170.04%
Total votes42,382 100%
Republican hold
Republican hold

Grand Isle

Incumbent Democrat Richard Mazza, who had represented the Grand Isle district since 1985, was re-elected.

Vermont Senate Grand Isle district general election, 2016
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Richard Mazza (incumbent) [d] 9,771 86.68%
N/A Blanks9518.44%
N/A Overvotes4694.16%
N/A Write-ins820.73%
Total votes11,273 100%
Democratic hold

Lamoille

Incumbent Republican Richard Westman, who had represented the Lamoille district since 2011, was re-elected.

Vermont Senate Lamoille district Democratic primary election, 2016
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic George Gay 1,460 53.54%
Democratic Gerard "Jerry" Colby83730.69%
N/A Blanks33812.39%
N/A Write-ins923.37%
Total votes2,727 100%
Vermont Senate Lamoille district general election, 2016
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Richard Westman (incumbent) 6,219 51.09%
Democratic George Gay5,49245.12%
N/A Blanks4393.61%
N/A Write-ins170.14%
N/A Overvotes60.05%
Total votes12,173 100%
Republican hold

Orange

Incumbent Democrat Mark MacDonald, who had represented the Orange district since 2003, was re-elected.

Vermont Senate Orange district election, 2016
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Mark MacDonald (incumbent) 5,723 54.00%
Republican Stephen W. Webster4,40941.60%
N/A Blanks4414.16%
N/A Write-ins190.18%
N/A Overvotes70.07%
Total votes10,599 100%
Democratic hold

Rutland

Incumbent Republicans Peg Flory, who had represented the Rutland district since 2011, Kevin Mullin, who had represented the Rutland district since 2003, and Brian Collamore, who had represented the Rutland district since 2015, were all re-elected.

Vermont Senate Rutland district general election, 2016
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Peg Flory (incumbent) 14,782 16.83%
Republican Kevin Mullin (incumbent) 14,191 16.16%
Republican Brian Collamore (incumbent) 13,680 15.58%
Democratic Cheryl Hooker 10,64112.12%
Democratic Korrine C. Rodrigue9,21210.49%
Democratic Scott Garren6,4287.32%
Independent Richard Lenchus2,0672.35%
N/A Blanks16,40618.68%
N/A Write-ins3710.42%
N/A Overvotes380.04%
Total votes87,816 100%
Republican hold
Republican hold
Republican hold

Washington

Incumbent Democrat Ann Cummings, who had represented the Washington district since 1997, and incumbent Progressive Minority Leader Anthony Pollina, who had represented the Washington district since 2011, were both re-elected. Incumbent Republican Bill Doyle, who had represented the Washington district since 1969, lost re-election to Democrat Francis Brooks.

Vermont Senate Washington district Democratic primary election, 2016
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Anthony Pollina (incumbent) 6,083 22.74%
Democratic Ann Cummings (incumbent) 6,028 22.53%
Democratic Francis Brooks 3,709 13.86%
Democratic Ashley A. Hill3,70813.86%
N/A Blanks7,02826.27%
N/A Write-ins1910.71%
N/A Overvotes70.03%
Total votes26,754 100%
Vermont Senate Washington district general election, 2016
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Ann Cummings (incumbent) 17,013 17.88%
Progressive Anthony Pollina (incumbent) [g] 15,212 15.98%
Democratic Francis Brooks 13,689 14.38%
Republican Bill Doyle (incumbent)13,49814.18%
Republican Michael "Mike" Doyle8,2368.65%
Republican John "Josh" Fitzhugh8,2338.65%
N/A Blanks19,15120.12%
N/A Write-ins1060.11%
N/A Overvotes370.04%
Total votes95,175 100%
Democratic hold
Progressive hold
Democratic gain from Republican

Windham

Incumbent Democrat Majority Leader Becca Balint, who had represented the Windham district since 2015, and incumbent Democrat Jeanette White, who had represented the Windham district since 2003, were both re-elected.

Vermont Senate Windham district general election, 2016
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Jeanette White (incumbent) 11,451 27.35%
Democratic Becca Balint (incumbent) 11,174 26.69%
Independent David Schoales5,61013.40%
Liberty Union Jerry Levy1,5293.65%
Liberty Union Aaron Diamondstone1,4373.43%
N/A Blanks10,09124.10%
N/A Write-ins780.19%
N/A Overvotes4981.19%
Total votes41,868 100%
Democratic hold
Democratic hold

Windsor

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

Vermont Senate Windsor district Democratic primary election, 2016
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Richard McCormack (incumbent) 5,381 20.31%
Democratic Alison Clarkson 5,145 19.42%
Democratic Alice Nitka (incumbent) 4,448 16.79%
Democratic Conor Kennedy3,72014.04%
N/A Blanks7,71729.13%
N/A Write-ins650.25%
N/A Overvotes140.05%
Total votes26,490 100%
Vermont Senate Windsor district general election, 2016
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Alison Clarkson 15,436 16.04%
Democratic Alice Nitka (incumbent) 14,430 14.99%
Democratic Richard McCormack (incumbent) [f] 13,905 14.44%
Republican Mark Donka9,83610.22%
Republican Randy A. Gray8,1488.46%
Republican Jack Williams7,4607.75%
Independent Scott D. Woodward5,1985.40%
N/A Blanks21,71422.56%
N/A Write-ins870.09%
N/A Overvotes500.05%
Total votes96,264 100%
Democratic hold
Democratic hold
Democratic hold
  1. Not counting Progressive and Republican candidates who were also nominated by the Democratic Party
  2. Not counting Democratic candidates who were also nominated by the Republican Party
  3. Not counting Democratic candidates who were also nominated by the Progressive Party
  4. 1 2 Running as "Democratic/Republican"
  5. Running as "Republican/Democratic"
  6. 1 2 3 Running as "Democratic/Progressive"
  7. 1 2 Running as "Progressive/Democratic"

See also

References

  1. "Vermont State Senate elections, 2016". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 16, 2022.
  2. Jim Condos, Vermont Secretary of State (August 11, 2018). "Vermont Election Results official results" . Retrieved June 16, 2022.