Republican victories in the Vermont House of Representatives are putting a new spotlight on the election of speaker

Democrats' loss of the supermajority in Vermont's 150-member House of Representatives on Election Day casts a new spotlight on the upcoming race for the chamber's top leadership post.

Incumbent Speaker Jill Krowinski, D-Burlington, will face at least one challenger on the platform for a third term in January: independent Rep. Laura Sibilia of Dover.

Sibilia, who just won an uncontested race for her Windham-2 District seat, surprised many when she announced her leadership intentions two weeks before Tuesday's general election, noting that “too many voices go unheard” and “and important work still remain unfinished.”

Krowinski and other House Democrats have often clashed with Republican Gov. Phil Scott, who was re-elected to a fifth term on Tuesday with more than 70% of the vote.

Sibilia, on the other hand, said she wanted to encourage more collaboration.

“I think the governor has his finger right on the core issue affecting Vermonters: affordability,” she told VTDigger. “I don’t think the legislature has even acknowledged that we understand that. I certainly hope that the Governor will put forward proposals to work toward affordability and that the Legislature will communicate to Vermonters how they want to move forward.”

Krowinski, who was just re-elected to a seventh term in her Chittenden-16 district seat, has confirmed another run for speaker. No other candidate has yet announced their own applications.

Krowinski declined a VTDigger request for an interview on Wednesday. Instead, she released a written statement acknowledging her party's electoral defeats and her desire to legislate alongside Republicans, progressives and independents.

“As Democrats continue to hold the majority in the Legislature, it is important that we take stock of the messages voters are sending,” Krowinski wrote in part. “I have and remain committed to working with all Vermonters to get the hard work done.”

In the wake of Wednesday's election headlines, Sibilia said a Republican gain of 18 seats in the House of Representatives did not change the calculus for her bid for speaker.

“Before the election, I needed 76 of my colleagues to vote for me,” she told VTDigger. “After the election, I need 76 of my colleagues to vote for me.”

Still, Sibilia believes the election results confirm her feelings about the need for change.

“My candidacy is based on my sense of great frustration in the House,” she said, “and my own frustration that we are not communicating with Vermonters and doing the work they really need.”

Sibilia emailed newly elected members of the House of Representatives to introduce herself. She has also announced a campaign manager, former Rep. Lucy Rogers, D-Waterville, and an endorsement from current Rep. Anne Donahue, R-Northfield.

“I will be reaching out to you personally in the coming weeks,” Sibilia wrote to her colleagues, “to learn more about your interests and talents for serving in the House of Representatives this biennium and to ask for your support in the January elections.” ask.” Speaker.”