Vermont’s legislative leaders have targeted May 6th for adjournment. Interest in getting on the campaign trail is very strong because of redistricting of the legislative map, making some incumbents revamp their door-to-door campaigns – most notably with Essex, Orleans and Caledonia losing one senate seat. No candidates have announced to challenge Gov. Phill Scott, who is expected to run for a fourth term. Caledonia Senator Joe Benning, a Republican, is running for the open lieutenant governor position, with former Progressive Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman, former St. Rep. Kitty Toll, and St. Rep. Charlie Kimball on the Democratic side.
And then you have the open Congressional seats – with U.S. Senator Patrick Leahy’s retirement announcement and subsequently U.S. Congressman Peter Welch’s pronouncement that he’d move up. Vying for the open Welch seat are Lt. Gov. Molly Gray, Windham Senator Becca Balint, Chittenden Senator Kesha Ram Hinsdale, and Sianay Chase Clifford on the Democratic side, and Ericka Redic and Anya Tynio on the Republican side. Former U.S. Attorney Christina Nolan is the likely challenger to Welch for the open Leahy seat. VTDigger hosted the first virtual debate between the Democratic congressional candidates, which can be viewed here.
