Vermont Democratic Party

Last updated
Vermont Democratic Party
Chairperson David Glidden
Lieutenant Governor David Zuckerman
Senate President pro tempore Philip Baruth
House Speaker Jill Krowinski
Founded1830
Headquarters Montpelier, Vermont
Ideology Modern liberalism
National affiliation Democratic Party
Colors  Blue
U.S. Senate Seats [a]
1 / 2
U.S. House Seats
1 / 1
Statewide Offices
5 / 6
State Senate
22 / 30
State House
105 / 150
Elected County Judges
33 / 42
Countywide Offices
34 / 42
Mayoralties
2 / 8
Seats on the Burlington City Council
5 / 12
Website
www.vtdemocrats.org OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

The Vermont Democratic Party is the affiliate of the Democratic Party in the U.S. state of Vermont.

Contents

Since the founding of the Republican Party until the 1960s, Vermont was almost exclusively a Republican state, with Republicans dominating Vermont politics, especially the governorship, from 1854 to 1960. [1] But Democrats have since staged a resurgence in state politics, perhaps inspired by the election of John F. Kennedy as president in 1960. [2]

It is now the dominant party in the state, controlling Vermont's at-large U.S. House seat, one of its U.S. Senate seats, and majorities in both houses of the state legislature. Vermont's other U.S. Senate seat is held by Bernie Sanders, an independent who caucuses with the Democratic Party. The only statewide office the party does not control is the governorship, held by Republican Phil Scott.

History

The date the state party was formed is unknown because the state headquarters has not retained historical documents. [3] Until 1824, opponents of the Federalist Party were known as Republicans or Democratic-Republicans. After the demise of the Federalists left only one major party, supporters of Democratic-Republicans John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay were largely responsible for founding the Whig Party in the early 1830s as the main opposition to Democratic-Republican Andrew Jackson. In 1830, Vermont newspaper articles still referred to supporters of Andrew Jackson for president in 1832 as Democratic-Republican, or occasionally "Democratic". By 1831, the name Democratic was more often used as a way to distinguish Jackson and his supporters from the "old" Democratic-Republican Party of Thomas Jefferson. By the end of 1831, "Democratic" was used almost exclusively.

Since Republicans dominated Vermont for so long, the national Democratic Party paid little attention to the state. [4] Democrats usually contested statewide elections, but opposition to Republicans was generally desultory. Democrats filled appointed federal positions such as U.S. Attorney during the administrations of Democratic presidents, and were occasionally appointed to positions considered nonpartisan, such as Seneca Haselton's tenure as an associate justice of the Vermont Supreme Court. Only in the 1960s did Democrats start to pull together an effective statewide organization. [4]

Democrats were effectively shut out of high office in Vermont from 1854 until 1958, when Democrat William H. Meyer was narrowly elected to the United States House of Representatives. Until his election, no Democrat had represented Vermont in the House or Senate since the Republican Party was founded. Meyer served only one term, losing to Republican Robert Stafford in 1960.

In 1962, Democrat Philip H. Hoff was elected governor of Vermont, becoming the first Democrat to serve as governor since John S. Robinson. In 1964, Vermont Democrats had the best year in over a century. Hoff was reelected in a landslide, and every other row office—lieutenant governor, attorney general, secretary of state, treasurer, and auditor—was won by a Democrat. The party's success in 1964 was due in part to Lyndon B. Johnson's landslide victory in that year's presidential election, which included a 66%–33% victory in Vermont, the first time the state ever went blue at the presidential level.

In 1974, Patrick Leahy became the first Democrat to represent Vermont in the U.S. Senate, narrowly defeating Republican Richard W. Mallary. Leahy was reelected in a similarly close race in 1980, but never again had a close race; he served six terms before retiring in 2022.

Democrats gained a majority in the State Senate in 1984, followed by a one-seat State House majority in 1986. With Governor Madeleine Kunin, Democrats had a trifecta for the first time in party history. Except for a brief period from 2000 to 2004, Democrats retained the governing majority in the House to this day.

Ideology, policies, and party platform

Ideology

Today, the Vermont Democratic Party is rooted in progressivism and American liberalism. The state is considered a breeding ground for Progressives and Independents, many of whom have close ties to the Vermont Democratic Party. Most Progressives run under the Democratic Party banner in Vermont.

Policies

The Vermont Democratic Party advocates universal health care, equality for all, and social justice. [5] Many of its proposals have been adopted, including universal health care (Green Mountain Care), same-sex marriage, and the closing and decommissioning of the Vermont Yankee nuclear power station in 2015. The party tends towards environmentalism, favoring measures to protect Vermont's natural resources and ecosystems. State Democrats have called for Vermont to be the first state to use only renewable energy sources. The party also favors campaign finance reform, but aligns with the national party in supporting some liberalization of campaign finance regulations so that it may better remain competitive with the Republicans.

Party platform

On September 12, 2020, the Vermont Democratic Party approved documents representing its platform. [5] It conforms very closely to the United States Democratic Party platform, addressing issues such as the economy, the environment, foreign policy, and civil rights.

Economic opportunity

The Vermont Democratic Party's economic platform primarily focuses on keeping businesses owned and operated in Vermont. There should be heavy focus on entrepreneurship and job creation. The party supports a strong and vibrant middle class that encourages youth to pursue careers within the state. [5] Its main focus is economic growth and job creation. The party believes that the state government should make Vermont a desirable place for people to bring or start businesses. The party plans to do this by giving financial incentives to businesses that are energy-efficient, are in Vermont's developing areas, and provide workers with a livable wage.[ clarification needed ] The party wants to reverse[ clarification needed ] the Bush tax cuts. [5] It supports a graduated income tax based on ability to pay.[ clarification needed ] Under such a system, the wealthy are taxed at a higher rate than the middle class, and the very poor pay little or no income tax.

Environmental issues

The party believes a healthy environment is essential to quality of life and recognizes global climate change as a major problem. The party believes we have moral and ethical obligations to protect and conserve the environment. It is committed to the rigorous and consistent enforcement of environmental laws and regulations. It supports alternative energy, including investments and research, and favors rapid implementation of "cleaner" alternatives to oil and other fossil fuels. Vermont Democrats support laws that cap, or limit, the carbon emissions of both public transportation and personal vehicles. [5]

Foreign policy

The party opposed the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. It believes the decision to go to war was ill-advised and led to the deaths of thousands of innocent people. The party strongly supported President Barack Obama's decisions to withdraw troops from both Iraq and Afghanistan.

Civil rights

The Vermont Democratic Party supports equal rights amendments to the Constitution and the protection of all citizens, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, military service, or creed. It supported Vermont's pioneering initiatives in same-sex marriage and the preceding laws favoring civil unions. It supported the repeals of Don't Ask, Don't Tell and the Defense of Marriage Act. The party denounces torture and believes all people have due process rights that should never be violated. The party strongly supported Obama's decision to ban the torturous technique of waterboarding from being used on suspected terrorists. [5]

Howard Dean

Howard Dean announcing his run for president Howard Dean declaration of candidacy June 2003.jpg
Howard Dean announcing his run for president

Howard Dean may be the most nationally renowned Democratic politician to come out of Vermont in recent years. He served as governor of Vermont from 1991 to 2003. In 2004 he ran for the Democratic nomination for president. Dean chaired the Democratic National Committee from 2005 to 2009 and is credited with being instrumental in Obama's election as president in 2008. His fifty-state strategy is widely considered the reason Obama was able to win some typically Republican states.

Current elected officials

As of late 2020, Democrats hold five of the six statewide offices in the executive branch—all but governor (Republican)—and firm majorities in Vermont's Senate and House of Representatives. At the federal level, Democrats hold one of the state's U.S. Senate seats and the state's single at-large seat in the U.S. House of Representatives. Senator Peter Welch, first elected to the U.S. House in 2006, was the first Democrat to represent Vermont in the lower chamber of Congress since William H. Meyer in 1961, and the first House Democrat from Vermont to be reelected in more than 150 years.

Members of Congress

U.S. Senate

U.S. House of Representatives

DistrictMemberPhoto
At-large Becca Balint
Rep. Becca Balint - 118th Congress (Cropped).jpg

Statewide offices

Legislative

Notable members

Governors

Senators

Representatives

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jim Douglas</span> 80th governor of Vermont

James Holley Douglas is an American politician from the state of Vermont. A Republican, he served as the 80th governor of Vermont from 2003 to 2011. On August 27, 2009, Douglas announced that he would not seek re-election for a fifth term in 2010. He left the office in January 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Democratic Party of Illinois</span> Political party in the United States

The Democratic Party of Illinois is the affiliate of the Democratic Party in the U.S. state of Illinois. It is the oldest extant state party in Illinois and one of just two recognized parties in the state, along with the Republican Party. It is currently the dominant party in the state, controlling the majority of Illinois' U.S. House seats, both U.S. Senate seats, both houses of the state legislature, and the governorship.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Welch</span> American lawyer and politician (born 1947)

Peter Francis Welch is an American lawyer and politician serving since 2023 as the junior United States senator from Vermont. A member of the Democratic Party, he was the U.S. representative for Vermont's at-large congressional district from 2007 to 2023. He has been a major figure in Vermont politics for over four decades, and is only the second Democrat to be elected a senator from the state.

The Pennsylvania Republican Party (PAGOP) is the state affiliate of the Republican Party in Pennsylvania. It is headquartered in Harrisburg. Its chair is Lawrence Tabas and is the second largest political party in the state behind the Pennsylvania Democratic Party.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Democratic Party of Arkansas</span> Political organization in Arkansas, U.S.

The Democratic Party of Arkansas is the affiliate of the Democratic Party in the state of Arkansas. The current party chair is Grant Tennille. Former U.S. president Bill Clinton was born in Arkansas, and served as state governor from 1979 to 1981 and 1983 to 1992.

The Delaware Democratic Party (DelDems) is the affiliate of the Democratic Party in the U.S. state of Delaware. It is headquartered in New Castle County and chaired by Erik Raser-Schramm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Missouri Democratic Party</span> Political party in the United States

The Missouri Democratic Party is the affiliate of the Democratic Party in the U.S. state of Missouri. Its chair is Russ Carnahan, the vice chair is Yvonne Reeves-Chong, the treasurer is Glenda Bainbridge, and the secretary is Jonathan Kessler.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New York State Democratic Party</span> Affiliate of the Democratic Party in the U.S. state of New York

The New York State Democratic Party is the affiliate of the Democratic Party in the U.S. state of New York. Its headquarters are in Manhattan, and it has an office in Albany.

The politics of Vermont encompass the acts of the elected legislative bodies of the US state, the actions of its governors, as overseen by the Vermont courts, and the acts of the political parties that vie for elective power within the state. The state's politics include local Democratic and Republican political parties, as well as several smaller parties.

The Vermont Republican Party is the affiliate of the Republican Party in Vermont and has been active since its foundation in the 1860s. The party is the second largest in the state behind the Vermont Democratic Party, but ahead of the Vermont Progressive Party. The party historically dominated Vermont politics until the mid-20th century, but was replaced by the Vermont Democratic Party. The party currently has very weak federal electoral power in the state, controlling none of Vermont's federal elected offices. The only statewide office that the party currently controls is the governorship, held by Phil Scott.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anthony Pollina</span> American politician

Anthony Pollina is an American politician who has served as Chair of the Vermont Progressive Party since 2017, and was as a member of the Vermont Senate from 2011 to 2023.

Illinois is a Democratic stronghold in presidential elections and one of the "Big Three" Democratic strongholds alongside California and New York. It is one of the most Democratic states in the nation with all state executive offices and both state legislative branches held by Democrats. For most of its history, Illinois was widely considered to be a swing state, voting for the winner of all but two presidential elections in the 20th century. Political party strength in Illinois is highly dependent upon Cook County, and the state's reputation as a blue state rests upon the fact that over 40% of its population and political power is concentrated in Chicago, Cook County, and the Chicago metropolitan area. Outside of Chicago, the suburban collar counties continue trending Democratic while downstate Illinois can be considered more conservative with several Democratic leaning regions including Champaign-Urbana, Bloomington-Normal, Rockford, Peoria, the Quad Cities, and suburban St. Louis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Elections in Vermont</span>

Elections in Vermont are authorized under Chapter II of the Vermont State Constitution, articles 43–49, which establishes elections for the state level officers, cabinet, and legislature. Articles 50–53 establish the election of county-level officers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1990 Vermont gubernatorial election</span>

The 1990 Vermont gubernatorial election took place on November 6, 1990. Incumbent Democratic Governor Madeleine Kunin did not seek re-election. Former Governor Republican Richard Snelling defeated Democratic former State Senate President pro tempore Peter Welch in the general election. This would be the last Republican victory in a Vermont gubernatorial election until 2002.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Scott Milne</span> American businessman and political candidate

Scott Edward Milne is an American businessman and political candidate from North Pomfret, Vermont. A Republican, Milne was the party's nominee for Lieutenant Governor of Vermont in 2020, losing to Democrat Molly Gray; the nominee for United States Senate in 2016, losing to incumbent Democrat Patrick Leahy; and the nominee for Governor of Vermont in 2014, losing to two-term incumbent Peter Shumlin in the closest gubernatorial election in Vermont since 1962.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">1988 United States House of Representatives election in Vermont</span>

The 1988 United States House of Representatives election in Vermont was held on November 8, 1988. Republican nominee Peter Plympton Smith defeated Independent candidate Bernie Sanders and Democratic nominee Paul N. Poirier.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States Senate election in Vermont</span>

The 2022 United States Senate election in Vermont was held on November 8, 2022, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the state of Vermont. It was held concurrently with U.S. Senate elections in other states, along with elections to the United States House of Representatives and various state and local elections across the country. The incumbent senator, Democrat Patrick Leahy, announced on November 15, 2021, that he would not seek re-election to a ninth term, leaving the seat open for the first time since 1974, when Leahy first elected.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 Vermont elections</span>

A general election was held in the U.S. state of Vermont on November 3, 2020. All of Vermont's executive officers were up for election, as well as Vermont's at-large seat in the United States House of Representatives. Primary elections were held on August 11, 2020.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 United States House of Representatives election in Vermont</span>

The 2022 United States House of Representatives election in Vermont was held on November 8, 2022, to elect the U.S. representative from Vermont's at-large congressional district. The election coincided with other elections to the House of Representatives, elections to the U.S. Senate, as well as various other state and local elections.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Vermont Senate election</span>

The 2022 Vermont Senate election took place on November 8, 2022, as part of the biennial United States elections. The election coincided with elections for other offices including the U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Governor, and State House. Vermont 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. Primary elections were held on August 9, 2022. This election would be the first to use new districts adopted by the Vermont General Assembly to allocate for population changes across the state after the 2020 census.

References

  1. Appleton, Andrew & Ward, Daniel. "State Party Profiles". Congressional Quarterly Inc, 1997. p. 324.
  2. In 1962, Philip Henderson Hoff (born June 29, 1924) became the first Democrat elected Governor of Vermont in 108 years, and held the office from 1963 to 1969
  3. Appleton, Andrew & Ward, Daniel. "State Party Profiles". Congressional Quarterly Inc, 1997. p. 332.
  4. 1 2 Appleton, Andrew & Ward, Daniel. "State Party Profiles". Congressional Quarterly Inc, 1997. p. 330.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Vermont Democratic Party

Notes

  1. Vermont's independent senator, Bernie Sanders, caucuses with the Democrats.
  2. Hoffer is a member of both the Vermont Democratic Party and the Vermont Progressive Party. He was elected Auditor as the nominee of both parties.