The Vermont Republican Party made significant gains in the recent election, breaking the Democratic supermajorities in both the House and Senate. This shift in power will prevent Democrats from overriding Governor Phil Scott’s veto powers. Newly-elected representative Joe Luneau expressed the importance of having a legitimate conversation now that the supermajority no longer exists in either chamber. The Republican effort included winning 18 seats in the House and adding six members to the Senate, effectively doubling their representation.
In Franklin County, conservatives focused on replacing incumbent Mike McCarthy, leading to a major shift in votes and a 100% Republican legislative delegation. Representative Casey Toof highlighted the need for Republicans to fulfill their campaign promises on affordability and public safety. Incumbent Representative Allen “Penny” Demar expressed excitement about addressing these issues in Montpelier.
Statewide, Republicans had strong showings, with Governor Phil Scott winning 71% of the vote and Lieutenant Governor John Rodgers defeating incumbent David Zuckerman. Toof, who served as Rodgers’ campaign manager, emphasized the need to appeal across party lines to secure victory. All Republican representatives mentioned the importance of tackling high spending, particularly in education, to decrease the tax burden in Vermont.
Moving forward, Republicans plan to focus on finding cost-saving solutions in education and addressing other key issues facing the state. With a seat at the table and more balanced committees, they are confident in their ability to slow down legislation and work towards meaningful change in the upcoming biennium.
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Photo credit www.samessenger.com
