By Sam Douglass 

The 2026 Primary Election is tomorrow, August 11. Vermonters will go to the voting booth to decide which candidates will run for their party in the November election. For state representatives, the majority of primary races are being fought within the Vermont Democratic Party. 

In Addison County, three Democrats are seeking their party’s nomination in the primary for the two seats of the Addison-3 district, which includes the towns of Ferrisburgh, Panton, Vergennes, Waltham, Addison, and New Haven. Ariel Bolles of Ferrisburgh, Michael Kane of Vergennes, and John Stroup of Vergennes. The two winners will face incumbent Republican Rep. Rob North in the November election. Incumbent Democratic Rep. Matt Birong is not seeking reelection. 

In the Addison County sheriff race, Ron Holmes is challenging current sheriff Michael Elmore, both of Middlebury, in the Republican primary.

In Bennington county, there is only one primary for the Vermont House. Three Democrats are vying for the two Bennington-2 seats currently held by incumbent Rep. William Greer and Rep. Timothy Corcoran. They are challenged by Leon Johnson. Johnson ran in a primary against both Greer and Corcoran in 2024 and narrowly came in third place behind Greer, 295 to 299.

In Caledonia County, Robert Gerrish, St. J police officer, of Lyndon is challenging incumbent sheriff Brandon Thrailkill of Lyndon in the Republican primary. The winner will run unopposed in the November election.

In Chittenden County, there are multiple primary elections, all for Democrats. In the Chittenden-18 district, incumbent Rep. Carol Ode is being challenged by former Burlington City Councilor Ali Dieng and Amy Bielawski-Branch. Former Rep. Robert Hooper was pressured to resign his seat in March 2026 and Governor Phil Scott appointed Kevin Scully to fill the vacancy. Scully did not run for the seat. 

In the Chittenden-21 Winooski district, incumbent Rep. Dairy Berbeco will face Matt Gile and Al Turkos. The two winners will face incumbent Progressive Rep. Chloe Tomlinson in the November election.

In the Chittenden-22 Essex district, incumbent Democrats Rep. Karen Dolan and Rep. Lori Houghton are challenged by Matthew Parker Towle. Houghton serves as the House majority leader.

For Chittenden County sheriff, Kevin Bloom of Burlington is facing Daniel Gamelin of Colchester in the Democratic primary.

In Franklin County, the Republican primary for sheriff is contested by Andre Labier of Montgomery, James Lynch of Berkshire, and Chad Miles of Franklin. 

In Grand Isle, the Democratic primary for sheriff sees Ray Allen of South Hero facing Mike Winters of Grand Isle. 

In Orange county, there are two primary elections for the Orange-Washington-Addison district, which includes the towns of Braintree, Roxbury, Granvill, Brookfield and Randolph. The Democratic primary for the two seats sees incumbent Larry Satcowitz of Randolph challenged by Kevin Doering, Thomas Harty, and Emery Mattheis, all of Randolph. Incumbent Democrat Rep. Jay Hooper did not seek election. The Republican primary for the Orange-Washington-Addison district sees Charles Russell of Randolph, Lance Ryan of Roxbury, and Stephen Webster of Randolph facing off. 

A Democratic primary for the Orange County Sheriff has Sean McRae of Bethel facing Michael Tkac of Corinth. The winner will face Republican Jacob Held in the November election. Incumbent Sheriff George Contois is not seeking reelection.

In Washington County, there are three Democrats vying for the Washington-4 district’s two seats. Incumbent Rep. Kate McCann will face Jared Duval and Pelin Kohn. Incumbent Rep. Connor Casey is not seeking reelection. 

In Windham county, the primary election for the Windham 3 district, which includes the towns of Westminster, Rockingham, and Brookline, has incumbent Rep. Michelle Bos-Lun of Westminster facing challengers Chris Lundberg of Rockingham and Stephen Major of Westminster. Incumbent Rep. Leslie Goldman is not seeking reelection.

The Republican primary for the same two seats sees Nicole Amanda Cota, Ryan Coyne, and Patrick Dezafra, all of Rockingham, looking to face the Democrat primary winners in November. 

In the Windham 8 district, which covers Brattleboro, Democrats Ken Fay and Daniel Quipp are facing off to fill the seat left vacant by incumbent Rep. Mollie Burke who is not seeking reelection. Burke was one of the longest serving state representatives at the time of her retirement. 

In Windsor County, there are multiple Democratic primaries. In the Windsor-1 district, incumbent Rep. John Bartholomew of Windsor will face Dylan Morse of Hartland and John Tansey of Windsor. Incumbent Rep. Elizabeth Burrows is not seeking reelection.

The Democratic primary election for the Windsor-3 district sees incumbent Rep. Alice Emmons and Rep. Kristi Morris challenged by newcomer Mike Schmitt. Emmons is the longtime serving chair of the House Corrections and Institutions Committee.

In the Windsor-Orange-1 district race, which includes the towns of Tunbridge and Royalto, the Democratic primary has incumbent Rep. John O’Brien of Tunbridge challenged by Devin Brennan of Royalton. In the Republican primary for the same seat, Robert Dunkle of Tunbridge faces Bruce Post of Royalton for the nomination. Post ran for the same seat in 2024 and narrowly lost to O’Brien, 1,146 to 1,202.

In the Windsor-Orange-2 district, which includes the towns of Sharon, Thetford, Strafford, and Norwich, incumbent Rep. Jim Masland of Thetford is challenged by Dee Gish of Sharon and Lauren Morando Rhim of Norwich. Incumbent Rep. Rebecca Holcombe is not seeking reelection. 

In the Windsor County sheriff race, three Democrats are seeking their party’s nomination. Joshua Lake of Chester, Christopher Northon of Springfield, and Claude Weyant of Windsor.