by Guy Page
October has not been kind to the freshman class of GOP caucus in the Vermont Senate.
On, Sen. Sam Douglass resigned at the behest of Gov. Phil Scott and GOP leaders in the House and Senate, after Politico published a statement he made about a person’s hygiene on a Young Republicans Chat.
In very different circumstances, Sen. Larry Hart – who defeated long-serving Democrat Mark MacDonald – resigned Monday (see letter below).
“As you may know, I experienced the loss of my daughter and grandchild to addiction prior to running for the Senate,” Hart said in his resignation letter to Senate Secretary John Bloomer. “My hope was that I could refocus my life honoring my daughter with becoming a Vermont Senator and help with substance use addiction legislation among many other goals I outlined in my Senate Race. I found that it became too difficult for me to accomplish any major goals in my first session as a Senator. The time and commitment became too great for my health and emotional well-being.”
Three other GOP freshmen remain: Chris Mattos of Chittenden North, Steve Heffernan of Addison County, and Pat Brennan of Chittenden – Grand Isle.
Following the resignations, the county Republican Committee will submit names of replacements to Gov. Scott, who will likely appoint one of them to serve in the 2026 term. Democrats have moved swiftly to put forth candidates for the 2026 election. Rep. Monique Priestley (Bradford) announced yesterday she would run for Senate in Orange County, just a day after Hart’s resignation. Gaston Bathalon of Troy announced last week he will run for the Orleans seat.
