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Vermont Senate to Witness Closer Partisan Divide in Nearly 24 Years
After last week’s election, Vermont Democrats and Progressives suffered a significant loss in the Senate, resulting in a much tighter split of 17-13 compared to the previous supermajority of 23-7. This shift marks the closest partisan balance in the Senate since 2000, with the GOP gaining a tie-breaking vote through Lt. Gov. John Rodgers’ victory.
Historical data shows that Democrats have not held as few as 16 seats in the Senate since 2000, highlighting the significance of this recent loss. Additionally, Democrats also faced a decrease in the House, dropping from 105 to 87 seats, while Republicans gained a net of 19 seats, reaching a total of 56. The Progressive party will continue to hold four seats, and independents, three.
The significant shift in power within Vermont’s legislative bodies raises questions about the impact on future policy decisions. With party-line issues likely to become more contentious, the upcoming session will require increased collaboration and compromise among lawmakers.
The final House tally remains uncertain due to a revote in a Pownal district following a narrow victory by a Democrat. As Vermont prepares for a new legislative session, the state’s political landscape appears to be evolving, setting the stage for potential changes in governance and decision-making processes.
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Photo credit vtdigger.org
