2018 Vermont Senate election

2018 Vermont Senate election

← 2016 November 6, 2018 2020 →

All 30 seats in the Vermont Senate
15 (plus the Lt. Gov.) seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party Third party
 
Leader Tim Ashe Joe Benning Anthony Pollina
Party Democratic Republican Progressive
Leader since January 6, 2017 January 4, 2018 2013
Leader's seat Chittenden Caledonia Washington
Last election 21 7 2
Seats won 22[a] 6[b] 2[c]
Seat change Increase1 Decrease1 Steady
Popular vote 417,375 178,737 45,410
Percentage 60.8% 26.0% 6.6%
Swing Decrease1.1% Decrease0.6% Increase0.04%

Results:
     Democratic hold      Democratic gain
     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.

Following the 2016 State Senate elections, Democrats maintained effective control of the Senate with 23 members in the majority caucus (21 Democrats and 2 Progressives). To claim control of the chamber from Democrats, the Republicans would have needed to net gain 8 or 9 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[edit]

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

State Senate District Incumbent Party Elected Senator Party
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[edit]

  • Note: Primary election results are only shown for contested primary elections. For information on non-contested primaries, visit the Vermont Secretary of State's website.[4]

AddisonBenningtonCaledoniaChittendenEssex-OrleansFranklinGrand IsleLamoilleOrangeRutlandWashingtonWindhamWindsor

Addison[edit]

  • Elects 2 senators.

Incumbent Democrats Claire Ayer, who has represented the Addison district since 2003, didn't seek re-election. Incumbent Democrat Christopher Bray, who has represented the Addison district since 2013, was re-elected. Fellow Democrat Ruth Hardy won the open seat.

Vermont Senate Addison district general election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ruth Hardy 9,040 24.21%
Democratic Christopher Bray (incumbent) 8,898 23.83%
Republican Peter Briggs 5,290 14.16%
Independent Marie Audet 5,169 13.84%
Independent Paul Ralston 3,100 8.3%
Libertarian Archie Flower 602 1.61%
N/A Blanks 5,218 13.97%
N/A Write-ins 28 0.07%
N/A Overvotes 1 0.00%
Total votes 37,346 100%
Democratic hold
Democratic hold

Bennington[edit]

  • Elects 2 senators.

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

Vermont Senate Bennington district general election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dick Sears (incumbent) 10,525 33.17%
Democratic Brian Campion (incumbent) 9,734 30.67%
Libertarian Jeff Kaufer 2,762 8.7%
N/A Blanks 8,532 26.89%
N/A Write-ins 175 0.55%
N/A Overvotes 6 0.02%
Total votes 31,734 100%
Democratic hold
Democratic hold

Caledonia[edit]

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

  • Elects 2 senators.
Vermont Senate Caledonia district election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jane Kitchel (incumbent)[d] 10,967 35.61%
Republican Joe Benning (incumbent)[e] 9,818 30.19%
N/A Blanks 9,832 31.93%
N/A Write-ins 167 0.54%
N/A Overvotes 10 0.03%
Total votes 30,794 100%
Democratic hold
Republican hold

Chittenden[edit]

  • Elects 6 senators.

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

Vermont Senate Chittenden district Republican primary election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Alex R. Farrell 3,507 9.25%
Republican Dana Maxfield 3,255 8.59%
Republican Paul Dame (write-in) 59 0.16%
Write-in Total Write-ins 372 0.98%
N/A Overvotes 30 0.08%
N/A Blank Votes 30,688 80.95%
Total votes 37,911 100%
Vermont Senate Chittenden district Progressive primary election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
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) 37 3.46%
Progressive Michael Sirotkin (incumbent) (write-in) 35 3.28%
Progressive Ginny Lyons (incumbent) (write-in) 30 2.81%
Progressive Steve May (write-in) 18 1.69%
Progressive Val Carzello (write-in) 11 1.03%
Progressive Alex Farrell (write-in) 5 0.47%
Progressive Dana Maxfield (write-in) 5 0.47%
Progressive Finnian Boardman Abbey (write-in) 3 0.28%
Write-in Write-ins (other) 39 3.65
N/A Overvotes 10 0.94%
N/A Blank Votes 541 50.66%
Total votes 1,068 100%
Vermont Senate Chittenden district Democratic primary election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
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 Carzello 5,229 4.63%
Democratic Steve May 4,018 3.56%
Democratic Finnian Boardman Abbey 3,771 3.34%
Write-in Total Write-ins 180 0.16%
N/A Overvotes 50 0.04%
N/A Blank Votes 32,590 28.84%
Total votes 113,010 100%
Vermont Senate Chittenden district general election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
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. Farrell 19,602 4.73%
Republican Paul Dame 17,521 4.22%
Republican Dana Maxfield 16,422 3.96%
Independent Louis Meyers 8,848 2.13%
Libertarian Seth Cournoyer 5,389 1.30%
Libertarian Loyal Ploof 4,599 1.11%
Independent Joshua H. Knox[h] 4,173 1.01%
N/A Blanks 103,759 25.02%
N/A Write-ins 465 0.11%
N/A Overvotes 119 0.03%
Total votes 414,774 100%
Democratic hold
Democratic hold
Democratic hold
Democratic hold
Democratic hold
Progressive hold

Essex-Orleans[edit]

  • Elects 2 senators.

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

Vermont Senate Essex-Orleans district election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert Starr (incumbent)[d] 9,323 32.60%
Democratic John Rodgers (incumbent)[d] 8,799 30.77%
American Independent Ron Horton 2,795 9.77%
N/A Blanks 7,568 26.47%
N/A Write-ins 107 0.37%
N/A Overvotes 4 0.01%
Total votes 28,596 100%
Democratic hold
Democratic hold

Franklin[edit]

  • Elects 2 senators.

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

Vermont Senate Franklin district election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Randy Brock (incumbent) 9,422 26.09%
Republican Corey Parent 9,387 26.00%
Democratic Pam McCarthy 7,016 19.43%
Democratic Dustin Tanner[f] 4,038 11.18%
N/A Blanks 6,214 17.21%
N/A Write-ins 30 0.08%
N/A Overvotes 1 0.00%
Total votes 36,108 100%
Republican hold
Republican hold

Grand Isle[edit]

  • Elects 1 senator.

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

Vermont Senate Grand Isle district general election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Richard Mazza (incumbent)[d] 8,253 84.38%
N/A Blanks 1,344 13.74%
N/A Write-ins 184 1.88%
Total votes 9,781 100%
Democratic hold

Lamoille[edit]

  • Elects 1 senator.

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

Vermont Senate Lamoille district general election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Richard Westman (incumbent)[e] 9,099 83.13%
N/A Blanks 1,726 15.77%
N/A Write-ins 121 1.11%
Total votes 10,946 100%
Republican hold

Orange[edit]

  • Elects 1 senator.

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

Vermont Senate Orange district election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mark MacDonald (incumbent) 5,167 55.59%
Republican Bill T. Huff 3,842 41.33%
N/A Blanks 270 2.90%
N/A Write-ins 11 0.12%
N/A Overvotes 5 0.05%
Total votes 9,295 100%
Democratic hold

Rutland[edit]

  • Elects 3 senators.

Incumbent Republican Brian Collamore, who has represented the Rutland district since 2015, was re-elected. Incumbent Republican David Soucy, who has represented the Rutland district since 2017, lost re-nomination. Incumbent Republican Peg Flory, who has 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
Party Candidate Votes %
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. Williams 2,044 12.34%
Republican David Soucy (incumbent) 1,661 10.02%
Republican Greg Cox (write-in) 15 0.1%
Republican Cheryl Hooker (write-in) 10 0.06%
Write-in Write-ins (other) 27 1.46%
N/A Overvotes 1 0.01%
N/A Blank Votes 4,447 26.84%
Total votes 16,569 100%
Vermont Senate Rutland district Progressive primary election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
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) 6 5.00%
Progressive James McNeil (write-in) 4 3.33%
Progressive Terry K. Williams (write-in) 2 1.67%
Progressive David Soucy (incumbent) (write-in) 2 1.67%
Write-in Write-ins (other) 14 11.67%
N/A Blank Votes 53 44.17%
Total votes 120 100%
Vermont Senate Rutland district Democratic primary election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
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) 88 0.73%
Democratic James McNeil (write-in) 85 0.70%
Democratic Edward Larsen (write-in) 58 0.48%
Democratic Terry K. Williams (write-in) 49 0.40%
Democratic David Soucy (incumbent) (write-in) 38 0.31%
Democratic Bill Carris (write-in) 6 0.05%
Write-in Write-ins (other) 236 1.95%
N/A Overvotes 698 5.76%
N/A Blank Votes 8,858 73.12%
Total votes 12,114 100%
Vermont Senate Rutland district general election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
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 Larson 10,004 13.76%
Democratic Greg Cox[f] 9,949 13.69%
Democratic Scott Garren[f] 7,371 10.14%
N/A Blanks 12,139 16.70%
N/A Write-ins 67 0.09%
N/A Overvotes 343 0.47%
Total votes 72,693 100%
Republican hold
Democratic gain from Republican
Republican hold

Washington[edit]

  • Elects 3 senators.

Incumbent Democrats Ann Cummings, who has represented the Washington district since 1997, and incumbent Progressive Minority Leader Anthony Pollina, who has represented the Washington district since 2011, were both re-elected. Incumbent Democrat Francis Brooks, who has represented the Washington district since 2017, retired. Fellow Democrat Andrew Perchlik won the open seat.

Vermont Senate Washington district Republican primary election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
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-ins 163 1.46%
N/A Overvotes 5 0.04%
N/A Blank Votes 5,857 52.33%
Total votes 11,193 100%
Vermont Senate Washington district Progressive primary election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Progressive Anthony Pollina (incumbent) (write-in) 19 13.19%
Progressive Andrew Perchlik (write-in) 13 9.03%
Progressive Ann Cummings (incumbent) (write-in) 7 4.86%
Progressive Ashley Hill (write-in) 4 2.78%
Write-in Write-ins (other) 39 27.08%
N/A Blank Votes 62 43.06%
Total votes 144 100%
Vermont Senate Washington district Democratic primary election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
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 Hill 2,739 11.13%
Democratic Theo Kennedy 2,149 8.73%
Democratic Andrew Brewer 2,033 8.26%
Write-in Total Write-ins 67 0.27%
N/A Overvotes 10 0.04%
N/A Blank Votes 4,311 17.52%
Total votes 24,606 100%
Vermont Senate Washington district general election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
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. Bradley 7,523 9.01%
Republican Ken Alger 7,244 8.67%
Republican Dwayne Tucker 7,195 8.61%
Independent Barry Wadle 2,565 3.07%
N/A Blanks 14,909 17.85%
N/A Write-ins 87 0.10%
N/A Overvotes 8 0.01%
Total votes 83,526 100%
Democratic hold
Progressive hold
Democratic hold

Windham[edit]

  • Elects 2 senators.

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

Vermont Senate Windham district Democratic primary election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Becca Balint (incumbent) 4,697 37.82%
Democratic Jeanette White (incumbent) 4,308 34.69%
Democratic Wayne Vernon Estey 1,076 8.66%
Write-in Total Write-ins 26 0.21%
N/A Overvotes 2 0.02%
N/A Blank Votes 2,311 18.61%
Total votes 12,420 100%
Vermont Senate Windham district general election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Becca Balint (incumbent) 11,464 32.40%
Democratic Jeanette White (incumbent) 10,644 30.08%
Republican Tyler Colford 3,861 10.91%
Independent Beverly Stone 1,675 4.73%
Liberty Union Aaron Diamondstone 763 2.16%
Liberty Union Jerry Levy 659 1.86%
N/A Blanks 6,282 17.75%
N/A Write-ins 35 0.10%
N/A Overvotes 5 0.01%
Total votes 35,388 100%
Democratic hold
Democratic hold

Windsor[edit]

  • Elects 3 senators.

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

Vermont Senate Windsor district election, 2018
Party Candidate Votes %
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. Gray 7,183 8.86%
Republican Wayne D. Townsend 6,882 8.49%
Republican Jack Williams 6,389 7.88%
Independent Mason Wade 2,055 2.53%
N/A Blanks 15,518 19.14%
N/A Write-ins 65 0.08%
N/A Overvotes 19 0.02%
Total votes 81,069 100%
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. ^ a b c d Running as "Democratic/Republican"
  5. ^ a b Running as "Republican/Democratic"
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Running as "Democratic/Progressive"
  7. ^ a b Running as "Progressive/Democratic"
  8. ^ Running as "Fair Representation Vermont"

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  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.