2016 Vermont Senate election

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Not to be confused with 2016 United States Senate election in Vermont.

2016 Vermont Senate election
← 2014 November 8, 2016 2018 →
All 30 seats in the Vermont Senate
15 (plus the Lt. Gov.) seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party Third party
 
Leader John Campbell
(retired) 		Joe Benning Anthony Pollina
Party Democratic Republican Progressive
Leader since January 5, 2011 January 9, 2013 2013
Leader's seat Windsor Franklin Washington
Last election 19 9 2
Seats won 21[a] 7[b] 2[c]
Seat change Increase2 Decrease2 Steady
Popular vote 436,878 188,047 46,404
Percentage 61.65% 26.53% 6.55%
Results:
     Democratic hold      Democratic gain
     Republican hold
     Progressive hold
President pro tempore before election

John Campbell
Democratic

Elected President pro tempore

Tim Ashe
Democratic/Progressive

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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]

Following the 2014 Senate elections, Democrats maintained control of the Senate with 21 members in the majority caucus (19 Democrats and 2 Progressives). To claim control of the chamber from Democrats, the Republicans would have needed to net gain 6 or 7 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 2 seats from the Republicans. After these elections, Joe Benning stepped down as Minority Leader and he 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[edit]

State Senate District Incumbent Party Elected Senator Party
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[edit]

Party Candi-
dates		 Votes Seats
No. % No. +/– %
Democratic 27 436,878 61.646 21 Increase2 70.00
Republican 19 188,047 26.534 7 Decrease2 23.33
Progressive 2 46,404 6.548 2 Steady 6.67
Independent 4 29,896 4.219 0 Steady 0.00
Liberty Union 2 2,966 0.419 0 Steady 0.00
Marijuana 1 2,443 0.345 0 Steady 0.00
Write-in 2,051 0.289 0 Steady 0.00
Total 55 708,685 100 30 Steady 100
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[edit]

Incumbents defeated in the general election[edit]

Open seats that changed parties[edit]

Detailed results[edit]

[2]

Addison • Bennington • Caledonia • Chittenden • Essex-Orleans • Franklin • Grand Isle • Lamoille • Orange • Rutland • Washington • Windham • Windsor

Addison[edit]

  • Elects 2 senators.

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

Vermont Senate Addison district general election, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Claire Ayer (incumbent) 11,988 29.03%
Democratic Christopher Bray (incumbent) 9,545 23.12%
Republican Peter Briggs 7,330 17.75%
Republican Lynn Dike 5,963 5,963
N/A Blanks 6,425 15.56%
N/A Write-ins 26 0.06%
N/A Overvotes 12 0.03%
Total votes 41,289 100%
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, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dick Sears (incumbent) 13,333 35.43%
Democratic Brian Campion (incumbent) 11,507 30.58%
N/A Blanks 12,526 33.29%
N/A Write-ins 238 0.63%
N/A Overvotes 28 0.07%
Total votes 37,632 100%
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, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jane Kitchel (incumbent)[d] 12,383 33.11%
Republican Joe Benning (incumbent)[e] 10,908 29.17%
Marijuana Galen Dively III 2,443 6.53%
N/A Blanks 11,538 30.86%
N/A Write-ins 108 0.29%
N/A Overvotes 14 0.04%
Total votes 37,394 100%
Democratic hold
Republican hold

Chittenden[edit]

  • Elects 6 senators.

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

Vermont Senate Chittenden district Democratic primary election, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
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 Scherr 7,009 5.99%
Democratic Faisal Gill 6,645 5.68%
Democratic Dawn Ellis 6,488 5.54%
Democratic Nick Cook 2,830 2.42%
Democratic Louis Meyers 2,384 2.04%
N/A Blanks 30,668 26.21%
N/A Write-ins 153 0.13%
N/A Overvotes 73 0.06%
Total votes 117,030 100%
Vermont Senate Chittenden district general election, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
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. Gifford 25,346 5.59%
Independent Tom Licata 17,021 3.76%
N/A Blanks 177,242 39.12%
N/A Write-ins 818 0.18%
N/A Overvotes 386 0.09%
Total votes 453,030 100%
Democratic hold
Democratic hold
Democratic gain from Republican
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 Democratic primary election, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert Starr (incumbent) 1,643 29.46%
Democratic John Rodgers (incumbent) 1,634 29.29%
Democratic Ron Horton 712 12.76%
N/A Blanks 1,557 27.91%
N/A Write-ins 31 0.56%
N/A Overvotes 1 0.02%
Total votes 5,578 100%
Vermont Senate Essex-Orleans district general election, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert Starr (incumbent) 9,381 26.72%
Democratic John Rodgers (incumbent) 8,601 24.50%
Republican Marcia Horne 5,199 14.81%
Republican Eric O. Collins 4,637 13.21%
N/A Blanks 7,182 20.46%
N/A Write-ins 54 0.15%
N/A Overvotes 48 0.14%
Total votes 35,102 100%
Democratic hold
Democratic hold

Franklin[edit]

  • Elects 2 senators.

Incumbent Republican Dustin Degree, who has represented the Franklin district since 2015, was re-elected. Incumbent Republican Norm McAllister, who has 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
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dustin Degree (incumbent) 2,856 36.66%
Republican Carolyn Whitney Branagan 2,570 32.99%
Republican Norm McAllister (incumbent) 814 10.45%
N/A Blanks 1,309 16.80%
N/A Write-ins 96 1.23%
N/A Overvotes 145 1.86%
Total votes 7,790 100%
Vermont Senate Franklin district general election, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Dustin Degree (incumbent) 10,546 24.88%
Republican Carolyn Whitney Branagan 9,426 22.24%
Democratic Sara Brannon Kittell 8,537 20.14%
Democratic Denise Smith 6,213 14.66%
N/A Blanks 7,596 17.92%
N/A Write-ins 47 0.11%
N/A Overvotes 17 0.04%
Total votes 42,382 100%
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, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Richard Mazza (incumbent)[d] 9,771 86.68%
N/A Blanks 951 8.44%
N/A Overvotes 469 4.16%
N/A Write-ins 82 0.73%
Total votes 11,273 100%
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 Democratic primary election, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic George Gay 1,460 53.54%
Democratic Gerard "Jerry" Colby 837 30.69%
N/A Blanks 338 12.39%
N/A Write-ins 92 3.37%
Total votes 2,727 100%
Vermont Senate Lamoille district general election, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Richard Westman (incumbent) 6,219 51.09%
Democratic George Gay 5,492 45.12%
N/A Blanks 439 3.61%
N/A Write-ins 17 0.14%
N/A Overvotes 6 0.05%
Total votes 12,173 100%
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, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mark MacDonald (incumbent) 5,723 54.00%
Republican Stephen W. Webster 4,409 41.60%
N/A Blanks 441 4.16%
N/A Write-ins 19 0.18%
N/A Overvotes 7 0.07%
Total votes 10,599 100%
Democratic hold

Rutland[edit]

  • Elects 3 senators.

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

Vermont Senate Rutland district general election, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
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 10,641 12.12%
Democratic Korrine C. Rodrigue 9,212 10.49%
Democratic Scott Garren 6,428 7.32%
Independent Richard Lenchus 2,067 2.35%
N/A Blanks 16,406 18.68%
N/A Write-ins 371 0.42%
N/A Overvotes 38 0.04%
Total votes 87,816 100%
Republican hold
Republican hold
Republican hold

Washington[edit]

  • Elects 3 senators.

Incumbent Democrat 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 Republican Bill Doyle, who has represented the Washington district since 1969, lost re-election to Democrat Francis Brooks.

Vermont Senate Washington district Democratic primary election, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
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. Hill 3,708 13.86%
N/A Blanks 7,028 26.27%
N/A Write-ins 191 0.71%
N/A Overvotes 7 0.03%
Total votes 26,754 100%
Vermont Senate Washington district general election, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
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) 13,498 14.18%
Republican Michael "Mike" Doyle 8,236 8.65%
Republican John "Josh" Fitzhugh 8,233 8.65%
N/A Blanks 19,151 20.12%
N/A Write-ins 106 0.11%
N/A Overvotes 37 0.04%
Total votes 95,175 100%
Democratic hold
Progressive hold
Democratic gain from Republican

Windham[edit]

  • Elects 2 senators.

Incumbent Democrat 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 general election, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jeanette White (incumbent) 11,451 27.35%
Democratic Becca Balint (incumbent) 11,174 26.69%
Independent David Schoales 5,610 13.40%
Liberty Union Jerry Levy 1,529 3.65%
Liberty Union Aaron Diamondstone 1,437 3.43%
N/A Blanks 10,091 24.10%
N/A Write-ins 78 0.19%
N/A Overvotes 498 1.19%
Total votes 41,868 100%
Democratic hold
Democratic hold

Windsor[edit]

  • Elects 3 senators.

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

Vermont Senate Windsor district Democratic primary election, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
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 Kennedy 3,720 14.04%
N/A Blanks 7,717 29.13%
N/A Write-ins 65 0.25%
N/A Overvotes 14 0.05%
Total votes 26,490 100%
Vermont Senate Windsor district general election, 2016
Party Candidate Votes %
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 Donka 9,836 10.22%
Republican Randy A. Gray 8,148 8.46%
Republican Jack Williams 7,460 7.75%
Independent Scott D. Woodward 5,198 5.40%
N/A Blanks 21,714 22.56%
N/A Write-ins 87 0.09%
N/A Overvotes 50 0.05%
Total votes 96,264 100%
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. ^ a b Running as "Democratic/Republican"
  5. ^ Running as "Republican/Democratic"
  6. ^ a b c Running as "Democratic/Progressive"
  7. ^ a b Running as "Progressive/Democratic"

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  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.
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