The 2022 Vermont general election results indicate significant changes in the state’s political landscape. With a notable turnover in the state legislature, nearly one-third of the House of Representatives and eight Senate members chose not to seek re-election. Redistricting will also bring seven new faces to the Senate.
Republican Governor Phil Scott secured his fourth term with a decisive victory over Democrat Brenda Siegel, winning by a margin of 71-24%. “Governor Scott will need 100 votes in the House to sustain a veto and 20 in the Senate,” but sustaining a veto may prove challenging depending on Democratic caucus priorities.
David Zuckerman, a Democrat, returns as Lieutenant Governor after defeating Republican Joe Benning by an 11-point margin. Charity Clark, former Deputy Attorney General, won her first statewide office against Michael Tagliavia with 65% of the vote. Democrat Sarah Copeland-Hanzas was elected Secretary of State over Brooke Paige, who also lost his bid for Treasurer to Mike Pieciak.
Auditor Doug Hoffer retained his position for a seventh term, defeating Richard Morton by 30 percentage points. The Vermont General Assembly’s composition now includes 22 Democrats, seven Republicans, and one Progressive in the Senate; while the House has increased its Democratic majority with 104 Democrats alongside other party members.
At the federal level, Peter Welch won his U.S. Senate race against Gerald Malloy with ease following Patrick Leahy’s retirement announcement. Becca Balint succeeded Welch’s congressional seat with unofficial results showing her leading Liam Madden significantly.
Businesses continue facing challenges post-pandemic as costs rise due to inflation and supply chain issues. In response to these pressures, NFIB urges lawmakers to consider small businesses’ financial burdens before implementing new taxes or fees. “Vermont has seen stores closing,” among other economic impacts.
Key business-related updates include Vermont’s minimum wage increase effective January 1st and various relief programs aimed at aiding pandemic-affected sectors such as travel and tourism.
