2018 Vermont Senate election

Last updated

2018 Vermont Senate election
Flag of Vermont.svg
  2016 November 6, 2018 2020  

All 30 seats in the Vermont Senate
15 (plus the Lt. Gov.) seats needed for a majority
 Majority partyMinority partyThird party
  Tim ashe vermont politician (cropped).jpg Joebenning4 (cropped).jpg Anthony Pollina (cropped).jpg
Leader Tim Ashe Joe Benning Anthony Pollina
Party Democratic Republican Progressive
Leader sinceJanuary 6, 2017January 4, 20182013
Leader's seatChittendenCaledoniaWashington
Last election2172
Seats won22 [a] 6 [b] 2 [c]
Seat changeIncrease2.svg1Decrease2.svg1Steady2.svg
Popular vote417,375178,73745,410
Percentage60.8%26.0%6.6%
SwingDecrease2.svg1.1%Decrease2.svg0.6%Increase2.svg0.04%

2018 Vermont Senate election map.svg
Results:
     Democratic gain
     Democratic hold     Republican hold
     Progressive hold

President of the Senate before election

Tim Ashe
Democrat/Progressive

Elected President of the Senate

Tim Ashe
Democrat/Progressive

The 2018 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. A primary election on August 14, 2018, determined which candidates appeared on the November 6 general election ballot.

Contents

Following the 2016 State Senate elections, Democrats maintained effective control of the Senate with 23 members in the majority caucus (21 Democrats and two Progressives). To claim control of the chamber from Democrats, the Republicans would have needed to net gain eight or nine seats depending on the winner of the 2018 Vermont lieutenant governor election, which was Progressive Dave Zuckerman. However, in the elections, the Democrats instead gained one seat from the Republicans.

Summary of results

Primary election results can be obtained from the Vermont Secretary of State's website. [1]

State Senate district Incumbent PartyElected SenatorParty
Addison Claire Ayer Dem Ruth Hardy Dem
Christopher Bray Dem Christopher Bray Dem
Bennington Brian Campion Dem Brian Campion Dem
Dick Sears Dem Dick Sears Dem
Caledonia Joe Benning Rep Joe Benning Rep/Dem
Jane Kitchel Dem/Rep Jane Kitchel Dem/Rep
Chittenden Tim Ashe Dem/Prog Tim Ashe Dem/Prog
Phil Baruth Dem/Prog Phil Baruth Dem/Prog
Debbie Ingram Dem Debbie Ingram Dem/Prog
Ginny Lyons Dem Ginny Lyons Dem/Prog
Christopher Pearson Prog/Dem Christopher Pearson Prog/Dem
Michael Sirotkin Dem Michael Sirotkin Dem/Prog
Essex-Orleans John Rodgers Dem John Rodgers Dem/Rep
Robert Starr Dem/Rep Robert Starr Dem/Rep
Franklin Carolyn Whitney Branagan Rep Corey Parent Rep
Randy Brock Rep Randy Brock Rep
Grand Isle Richard Mazza Dem Richard Mazza Dem
Lamoille Richard Westman Rep Richard Westman Rep
Orange Mark MacDonald Dem Mark MacDonald Dem
Rutland Brian Collamore Rep Brian Collamore Rep
Peg Flory Rep James McNeil Rep
David Soucy Rep Cheryl Hooker Dem/Prog
Washington Francis Brooks Dem Andrew Perchlik Dem/Prog
Ann Cummings Dem Ann Cummings Dem
Anthony Pollina Prog/Dem Anthony Pollina Prog/Dem
Windham Becca Balint Dem Becca Balint Dem
Jeanette White Dem Jeanette White Dem
Windsor Alison Clarkson Dem Alison Clarkson Dem
Richard McCormack Dem Richard McCormack Dem/Prog
Alice Nitka Dem Alice Nitka Dem

Sources: [2] [3]

Detailed results

AddisonBenningtonCaledoniaChittendenEssex-OrleansFranklinGrand IsleLamoilleOrangeRutlandWashingtonWindhamWindsor

Addison

Incumbent Democrat Claire Ayer, who had represented the Addison district since 2003, did not seek re-election. Incumbent Democrat Christopher Bray, who had represented the Addison district since 2013, was re-elected. Fellow Democrat Ruth Hardy won the open seat.

Vermont Senate Addison district general election, 2018
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Ruth Hardy 9,040 24.21%
Democratic Christopher Bray (incumbent) 8,898 23.83%
Republican Peter Briggs5,29014.16%
Independent Marie Audet5,16913.84%
Independent Paul Ralston3,1008.3%
Libertarian Archie Flower6021.61%
N/A Blanks5,21813.97%
N/A Write-ins280.07%
N/A Overvotes10.00%
Total votes37,346 100%
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, 2018
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Dick Sears (incumbent) 10,525 33.17%
Democratic Brian Campion (incumbent) 9,734 30.67%
Libertarian Jeff Kaufer2,7628.7%
N/A Blanks8,53226.89%
N/A Write-ins1750.55%
N/A Overvotes60.02%
Total votes31,734 100%
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, 2018
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Jane Kitchel (incumbent) [d] 10,967 35.61%
Republican Joe Benning (incumbent) [e] 9,818 30.19%
N/A Blanks9,83231.93%
N/A Write-ins1670.54%
N/A Overvotes100.03%
Total votes30,794 100%
Democratic hold
Republican hold

Chittenden

Incumbent Democrat Philip Baruth, who had represented the Chittenden district since 2011, incumbent Progressive Christopher Pearson, who had represented the Chittenden district since 2017, incumbent Democratic president pro tempore Tim Ashe, who had represented the Chittenden district since 2009, incumbent Democrat Ginny Lyons, who had represented the Chittenden district since 2001, incumbent Democrat Debbie Ingram, who had represented the Chittenden district since 2017, and incumbent Democrat Michael Sirotkin, who had represented the Chittenden district since 2014, were all re-elected.

Vermont Senate Chittenden district Republican primary election, 2018
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Alex R. Farrell 3,507 9.25%
Republican Dana Maxfield 3,255 8.59%
Republican Paul Dame (write-in)590.16%
Write-in Total write-ins3720.98%
N/A Overvotes300.08%
N/A Blank votes30,68880.95%
Total votes37,911 100%
Vermont Senate Chittenden district Progressive primary election, 2018
PartyCandidateVotes%
Progressive Tim Ashe (incumbent) (write-in)118 11.05%
Progressive Christopher Pearson (incumbent) (write-in)116 10.86%
Progressive Phil Baruth (incumbent) (write-in)98 9.18%
Progressive Debbie Ingram (incumbent) (write-in)373.46%
Progressive Michael Sirotkin (incumbent) (write-in)353.28%
Progressive Ginny Lyons (incumbent) (write-in)302.81%
Progressive Steve May (write-in)181.69%
Progressive Val Carzello (write-in)111.03%
Progressive Alex Farrell (write-in)50.47%
Progressive Dana Maxfield (write-in)50.47%
Progressive Finnian Boardman Abbey (write-in)30.28%
Write-in Write-ins (other)393.65
N/A Overvotes100.94%
N/A Blank votes54150.66%
Total votes1,068 100%
Vermont Senate Chittenden district Democratic primary election, 2018
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Tim Ashe (incumbent) 13,527 11.97%
Democratic Ginny Lyons (incumbent) 12,886 11.40%
Democratic Michael Sirotkin (incumbent) 10,727 9.49%
Democratic Debbie Ingram (incumbent) 10,701 9.47%
Democratic Phil Baruth (incumbent) 10,302 9.12%
Democratic Christopher Pearson (incumbent) 9,029 7.99%
Democratic Val Carzello5,2294.63%
Democratic Steve May4,0183.56%
Democratic Finnian Boardman Abbey3,7713.34%
Write-in Total write-ins1800.16%
N/A Overvotes500.04%
N/A Blank votes32,59028.84%
Total votes113,010 100%
Vermont Senate Chittenden district general election, 2018
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Tim Ashe (incumbent) [f] 44,002 10.61%
Democratic Ginny Lyons (incumbent) 41,617 10.03%
Democratic Debbie Ingram (incumbent) 40,751 9.82%
Democratic Michael Sirotkin (incumbent) 38,569 9.30%
Democratic Phil Baruth (incumbent) [f] 38,075 9.18%
Progressive Christopher Pearson (incumbent) [g] 30,863 7.44%
Republican Alex R. Farrell19,6024.73%
Republican Paul Dame17,5214.22%
Republican Dana Maxfield16,4223.96%
Independent Louis Meyers8,8482.13%
Libertarian Seth Cournoyer5,3891.30%
Libertarian Loyal Ploof4,5991.11%
Independent Joshua H. Knox [h] 4,1731.01%
N/A Blanks103,75925.02%
N/A Write-ins4650.11%
N/A Overvotes1190.03%
Total votes414,774 100%
Democratic hold
Democratic hold
Democratic hold
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 election, 2018
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Robert Starr (incumbent) [d] 9,323 32.60%
Democratic John Rodgers (incumbent) [d] 8,799 30.77%
American Independent Ron Horton2,7959.77%
N/A Blanks7,56826.47%
N/A Write-ins1070.37%
N/A Overvotes40.01%
Total votes28,596 100%
Democratic hold
Democratic hold

Franklin

Incumbent Republican Randy Brock, who had represented the Franklin district since 2017, was re-elected. Incumbent Republican Carolyn Whitney Branagan, who had represented the Franklin district since 2003, retired. Fellow Republican Corey Parent won the open seat.

Vermont Senate Franklin district election, 2018
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Randy Brock (incumbent) 9,422 26.09%
Republican Corey Parent 9,387 26.00%
Democratic Pam McCarthy7,01619.43%
Democratic Dustin Tanner [f] 4,03811.18%
N/A Blanks6,21417.21%
N/A Write-ins300.08%
N/A Overvotes10.00%
Total votes36,108 100%
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, 2018
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Richard Mazza (incumbent) [d] 8,253 84.38%
N/A Blanks1,34413.74%
N/A Write-ins1841.88%
Total votes9,781 100%
Democratic hold

Lamoille

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

Vermont Senate Lamoille district general election, 2018
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Richard Westman (incumbent) [e] 9,099 83.13%
N/A Blanks1,72615.77%
N/A Write-ins1211.11%
Total votes10,946 100%
Republican hold

Orange

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

Vermont Senate Orange district election, 2018
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Mark MacDonald (incumbent) 5,167 55.59%
Republican Bill T. Huff3,84241.33%
N/A Blanks2702.90%
N/A Write-ins110.12%
N/A Overvotes50.05%
Total votes9,295 100%
Democratic hold

Rutland

Incumbent Republican Brian Collamore, who had represented the Rutland district since 2015, was re-elected. Incumbent Republican David Soucy, who had represented the Rutland district since 2017, lost re-nomination. Incumbent Republican Peg Flory, who had represented the Rutland district since 2011, retired. Republican James McNeil and Democrat Cheryl Hooker won the open seats.

Vermont Senate Rutland district Republican primary election, 2018
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Brian Collamore (incumbent) 3,504 21.15%
Republican James McNeil 2,811 16.97%
Republican Edward Larson 2,049 12.37%
Republican Terry K. Williams2,04412.34%
Republican David Soucy (incumbent)1,66110.02%
Republican Greg Cox (write-in)150.1%
Republican Cheryl Hooker (write-in)100.06%
Write-in Write-ins (other)271.46%
N/A Overvotes10.01%
N/A Blank votes4,44726.84%
Total votes16,569 100%
Vermont Senate Rutland district Progressive primary election, 2018
PartyCandidateVotes%
Progressive Greg Cox (write-in)13 5.89%
Progressive Cheryl Hooker (write-in)13 6.07%
Progressive Scott Garren (write-in)13 4.53%
Progressive Brian Collamore (incumbent) (write-in)65.00%
Progressive James McNeil (write-in)43.33%
Progressive Terry K. Williams (write-in)21.67%
Progressive David Soucy (incumbent) (write-in)21.67%
Write-in Write-ins (other)1411.67%
N/A Blank votes5344.17%
Total votes120 100%
Vermont Senate Rutland district Democratic primary election, 2018
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Cheryl Hooker (write-in)735 6.07%
Democratic Greg Cox (write-in)714 5.89%
Democratic Scott Garren (write-in)549 4.53%
Democratic Brian Collamore (incumbent) (write-in)880.73%
Democratic James McNeil (write-in)850.70%
Democratic Edward Larsen (write-in)580.48%
Democratic Terry K. Williams (write-in)490.40%
Democratic David Soucy (incumbent) (write-in)380.31%
Democratic Bill Carris (write-in)60.05%
Write-in Write-ins (other)2361.95%
N/A Overvotes6985.76%
N/A Blank votes8,85873.12%
Total votes12,114 100%
Vermont Senate Rutland district general election, 2018
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Brian Collamore (incumbent) 11,380 15.65%
Democratic Cheryl Hooker [f] 10,767 14.81%
Republican James McNeil 10,673 14.68%
Republican Edward Larson10,00413.76%
Democratic Greg Cox [f] 9,94913.69%
Democratic Scott Garren [f] 7,37110.14%
N/A Blanks12,13916.70%
N/A Write-ins670.09%
N/A Overvotes3430.47%
Total votes72,693 100%
Republican hold
Democratic gain from Republican
Republican hold

Washington

Incumbent Democrats 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 Democrat Francis Brooks, who had represented the Washington district since 2017, retired. Fellow Democrat Andrew Perchlik won the open seat.

Vermont Senate Washington district Republican primary election, 2018
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Chris Bradley 1,843 16.47
Republican Dwayne Tucker 1,680 15.01
Republican Ken Alger 1,645 14.70
Write-in Total write-ins1631.46%
N/A Overvotes50.04%
N/A Blank votes5,85752.33%
Total votes11,193 100%
Vermont Senate Washington district Progressive primary election, 2018
PartyCandidateVotes%
Progressive Anthony Pollina (incumbent) (write-in)19 13.19%
Progressive Andrew Perchlik (write-in)13 9.03%
Progressive Ann Cummings (incumbent) (write-in)74.86%
Progressive Ashley Hill (write-in)42.78%
Write-in Write-ins (other)3927.08%
N/A Blank votes6243.06%
Total votes144 100%
Vermont Senate Washington district Democratic primary election, 2018
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Anthony Pollina (incumbent) 4,793 19.48%
Democratic Ann Cummings (incumbent) 4,632 18.82%
Democratic Andrew Perchlik 3,872 15.74%
Democratic Ashley Hill2,73911.13%
Democratic Theo Kennedy2,1498.73%
Democratic Andrew Brewer2,0338.26%
Write-in Total write-ins670.27%
N/A Overvotes100.04%
N/A Blank votes4,31117.52%
Total votes24,606 100%
Vermont Senate Washington district general election, 2018
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Ann Cummings (incumbent) 16,834 20.15%
Progressive Anthony Pollina (incumbent) [g] 14,547 17.42%
Democratic Andrew Perchlik [f] 12,614 15.10%
Republican Chris S. Bradley7,5239.01%
Republican Ken Alger7,2448.67%
Republican Dwayne Tucker7,1958.61%
Independent Barry Wadle2,5653.07%
N/A Blanks14,90917.85%
N/A Write-ins870.10%
N/A Overvotes80.01%
Total votes83,526 100%
Democratic hold
Progressive hold
Democratic hold

Windham

Incumbent Democratic 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 Democratic primary election, 2018
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Becca Balint (incumbent) 4,697 37.82%
Democratic Jeanette White (incumbent) 4,308 34.69%
Democratic Wayne Vernon Estey1,0768.66%
Write-in Total write-ins260.21%
N/A Overvotes20.02%
N/A Blank votes2,31118.61%
Total votes12,420 100%
Vermont Senate Windham district general election, 2018
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Becca Balint (incumbent) 11,464 32.40%
Democratic Jeanette White (incumbent) 10,644 30.08%
Republican Tyler Colford3,86110.91%
Independent Beverly Stone1,6754.73%
Liberty Union Aaron Diamondstone7632.16%
Liberty Union Jerry Levy6591.86%
N/A Blanks6,28217.75%
N/A Write-ins350.10%
N/A Overvotes50.01%
Total votes35,388 100%
Democratic hold
Democratic hold

Windsor

Incumbent Democrats Alison Clarkson, who had represented the Windsor district since 2017, Richard McCormack, who had represented the Windsor district since 2007, and incumbent Democrat Alice Nitka, who had represented the Windsor district since 2007, were all re-elected.

Vermont Senate Windsor district election, 2018
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Alison Clarkson (incumbent) 15,091 18.62%
Democratic Alice Nitka (incumbent) 14,276 17.61%
Democratic Richard McCormack (incumbent) [f] 13,591 16.76%
Republican Randy A. Gray7,1838.86%
Republican Wayne D. Townsend6,8828.49%
Republican Jack Williams6,3897.88%
Independent Mason Wade2,0552.53%
N/A Blanks15,51819.14%
N/A Write-ins650.08%
N/A Overvotes190.02%
Total votes81,069 100%
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 3 4 Running as "Democratic/Republican"
  5. 1 2 Running as "Republican/Democratic"
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Running as "Democratic/Progressive"
  7. 1 2 Running as "Progressive/Democratic"
  8. Running as "Fair Representation Vermont"

See also

References

  1. "Election Results". Vermont Secretary of State. Archived from the original on August 13, 2018. Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  2. "Vermont State Senate elections, 2018". Ballotpedia . Retrieved August 14, 2018.
  3. Election Results, Vermont Secretary of State, August 2018, choose August 14, 2018 primary election, Senate, Rutland, and each possible party, archived from the original on August 11, 2017, retrieved August 25, 2018
  4. "Vermont Election Results official results". Jim Condos, Vermont Secretary of State. November 3, 2018. Retrieved June 15, 2022.