By Sam Douglass

Vermonters on Tuesday once again elected Republican Gov. Phil Scott to lead the state for what will be a historic sixth term, but as votes were reported, it was clear that it would be his closest race in years. As of 5:44 a.m., Associated Press reported Scott’s margin of victory at 7 points, far less than the 51.6 point margin he enjoyed in 2024. This was the closest race Scott faced in his gubernatorial career with the closest being his inaugural campaign against Sue Minter in 2016 where he won by a margin of 8.75 points. 

While Scott earned himself another term, most of the Republican lawmakers he helped elect in 2024 on a wave of property tax revolt and other affordability concerns have lost their seats, as have Republicans around the country. Republicans retained only eight of the 13 seats claimed in the 2024 election. Senate Democrats have regained a supermajority, enabling them to override the Governor’s veto.

Scott’s opponent, economist Amanda Janoo, garnered 45.6% of the vote Only one day prior to the election, a prominent UNH poll had her leading Scott by 8 points. The Strafford resident and political newcomer won the August Democratic primary against fellow Democrat Aly Richards by a margin of 2.6 points, and has since captured the attention of many voters as she rose in popularity across several polls.

Shortly before midnight, Vermont Republican Chair Paul Dame issued a brief statement to the press thanking candidates and volunteers while stressing that the clock has been turned back.

In a phone call to VDC shortly after midnight, Dame said that voters should expect similar bills and policies to those introduced under the previous Democratic supermajority. Vermonters may be familiar with Act 181 or the “Clean Heat Standard,” which were both passed during this period.

While the composition of the legislature is similar, Dame is also concerned that the atmosphere of the legislature will be more contentious than under prior Democratic control. 

“Whatever the Trump administration does at the federal level, Vermonters should expect more grandstanding and Democrats trying to solve it at a state level,” said Dame. “Many Democrats ran on affordability and I don’t think that they will be able to deliver.”

Republicans suffered losses across the state in House and Senate races. In one of the early reported Senate races of the evening, political newcomer Kim Gleason (D) defeated incumbent Sen. Patrick Brennnan (R) by 6.81 points. Brennan won his seat in the Vermont Senate in 2024 after years of service in the Vermont House of Representatives. While in the legislature, Brennan was a strong supporter of hunters and the rights of firearm owners.

In the Chittenden-North district, consisting of Milton, Fairfax, Essex Town, and Westford, former Senator Irene Wrenner defeated Rep. Ashley Bartley by a margin of 2.09 points. In 2024, Wrenner lost her seat in the Senate to then-Rep. Christopher Mattos, who did not run for reelection in 2026. Wrenner was heavily criticized during the campaign for her previous voting record in the Senate and faced scandal around a political mailer featuring former Rep. Don Turner Jr.

Sen. John Benson lost his election bid to Rep. Monique Priestly (D/P) in Orange County by a margin of 3.14 points. Benson was appointed to the Senate by Governor Phil Scott in late 2025 following the resignation of Sen. Larry Hart who was elected to the seat in 2024.

Former Democratic Senator David Wolk, though now running as an Independent, surpassed Republican incumbents in Rutland County, claiming second place ahead of Sen. David Weeks (R) and behind assistant minority leader Sen. Brian Collamore (R). Incumbent Sen. Terry Williams (R) came in fourth place in the three seat district. Williams was recently arrested and charged with domestic violence, though it is unknown to the degree that this impacted election results. 

In Addison County, Sen. Steven Heffernan (R) lost his reelection bid to incumbent Democrat Sen. Ruth Hardy (D) and newcomer Hannah Sessions (D). While in office, Heffernan was heavily criticized on multiple votes, including when he was absent on the vote for Proposal 4 in 2025.

In a near blow to Republicans, Senate Minority leader Scott Beck (R) narrowly avoided defeat in Caledonia County to newcomer David Roth by a margin of 1.61 points.

Democrats retained control of their current seats in Windsor County, Windham County, Washington County, Chittenden-Central, and Chittenden-Southeast. 

Across the county, Democrats capitalized on discontent surrounding the Trump administration, notably immigration policies and the ongoing armed conflict in Iran, and in Vermont were successful in tying Vermont Republicans to the Republican Party nationally. 

“Donald Trump told people to vote like he was on the ballot, and they did in Vermont and across the county,” said Rob Roper, a well-known Vermont political analyst and commentator, in a Wednesday morning message to VDC.

With a Democratic supermajority in the Vermont House and Senate, Republican lawmakers may have to wait their turn once more.