Heffernan, Hart, Beck, Brennan, Mattos and Douglass to join seven GOP Senate incumbents
Two longtime incumbent senators defeated at the polls
By Guy Page
Six senate seats now filled by Democrats will be occupied by Republicans in January, bringing the total number of GOP solons to 13 – not enough to control the Senate, but likely enough to influence its leadership choices and definitely enough to support Gov. Phil Scott’s vetos.
Vermont voters re-elected every incumbent Republican senator:
Randy Brock, Franklin
Bob Norris, Franklin
Richard Westman, Lamoille
Brian Collamore, Rutland
David Weeks, Rutland
Terry Williams, Rutland, and
Russ Ingalls, Essex.
They also sent two longtime Democrat incumbent senators to defeat: Larry Hart defeated Mark MacDonald in Orange County, and Steve Heffernan finished second in two-seat Addison, ousting Senate Natural Resources and Energy Chair Chris Bray.
Voters also elected Republicans:
Pat Brennan of Colchester to the Grand Isle – Colchester seat long held by Richard Mazza, who resigned shortly before his death earlier this year;
Chris Mattos, defeating Democrat Irene Wrenner in the Chittenden North district that includes Milton and Essex;
Scott Beck easily bested Amanda Cochran for the Caledonia County seat held by Democrat Jane Kitchel, who chose not to seek re-election;
Sam Douglass roundly defeated Rep. Katherine Sims to win the Orleans County seat, now held by retiring Sen. Bobby Starr, a Democrat.
In Washington, Windham, Windsor, and Bennington Counties, as well as in two Chittenden County senator districts, Democrats held on to their seats.
Full results can be seen on the Vermont Secretary of State’s website.