Where Democrats lost ground in the Vermont House of Representatives

In Tuesday's election, Vermonters voted to change the balance of power in the state's House of Representatives during the next legislative session. Republicans won 17 seats, increasing their total to 55 in the 150-member chamber.

By the end of the 2023-2024 election cycle, Democrats alone had 105 seats, but now they only have 88 remaining, meaning they have lost their supermajority. Their numbers will be bolstered by alliances with progressives and independents, who will hold the same number of seats as before: 4 and 3, respectively. But even with full cooperation, their numbers would prevent them from passing bills despite Republican Gov. Phil's veto Scott to put into effect. This requires a two-thirds majority in the chamber or at least 100 votes.

Fourteen incumbent Democrats in the House of Representatives lost their seats, but two of them will be replaced by other Democrats. Several deputies from districts in Bennington, Caledonia and Rutland counties were ousted, as was at least one from Addison, Chittenden, Franklin, Washington and Windsor counties.

Among them are several experienced lawmakers who hold leadership positions and other lawmakers who just took office in 2023. Voters left almost no House committee unchanged.

• Rep. Diane Lanpher, D-Vergennes, chairwoman of the House Budget Committee, first elected in 2008, was defeated by Republican Rob North of Ferrisburgh.
• Rep. Mike McCarthy, D-St. Albans City, chairman of the House Government and Military Affairs Committee, fell to Republican Joe Luneau, also of St. Albans City.
• Rep. Stephanie Zak Jerome of Brandon, a member of the House of Representatives since 2019 and vice chair of the House Commerce Committee, fell to Republican Todd Nielson, also of Brandon.
• Robin Chesnut-Tangerman of Middletown Springs, vice chairman of the House General Affairs and Housing Committee, was defeated by Republican Chris Pritchard of Pawlet.
• Rep. Carl Demrow, D-Corinth, ranking member on the House Ways and Means Committee, fell to Mike Tagliavia, also of Corinth.
• Rep. William Notte, D-Rutland City, an assistant majority leader, lost his seat to Republican Chris Keyser, also of Rutland City.
• Rep. Mike Rice, D-Dorset, elected in 2022, lost to Republican Sandra Pinsonault, also of Dorset.
• Rep. Bobby Farlice-Rubio, D-Barnet, elected in 2022, fell to Rep. Debra Lynn Powers, a Republican from Waterford.
• Rep. Dennis LaBounty, D-Lyndon, also elected in 2022, lost to Republican Martha “Marty” Feltus, a former representative also from Lyndon.
• Rep. Julie Andrews, D-Westford, also elected in 2022, was defeated by Republican Brenda Steady of Milton.
• Rep. Josie Leavitt of Grand Isle, also elected in 2022, lost a race to Republican Leland Morgan, a former state lawmaker from Milton.
• Rep. Heather Chase, D-Chester, elected in 2022, failed in her race against Republican Thomas Charleston, also of Chester.
• Rep. Jonathon Williams, D-Barre City, elected in 2022, finished third in a four-way race. Republican Mike Boutin of Barre City emerged victorious, and another Democrat, Edward “Teddy” Waszazak, came in second.
• Rep. Jim Carroll of Bennington finished third, ahead of Rep. Mary Morrissey, R-Bennington, and fellow Democrat Michael Nigro. The two seatmates were both in the spotlight last session: Carroll for a drunken driving arrest in Montpelier and Morrissey for her behavior toward Caroll, which included repeatedly soaking his personal belongings.

Elsewhere, Democrats lost ground when newcomers failed to fill a seat vacated by an incumbent.

• Republican Mike Southworth of Walden defeated Sabrina Morrison of Hardwick.
• Republican Greg Burtt of Cabot defeated Thomas Ziobrowski of Danville.
• Democrat Jim Ryan of Wolcott could not withstand a challenge from Richard Bailey of Hyde Park.
• Republican Kevin Winter of Ludlow was survived by Adrienne Raymond of Shrewsbury.
• Republican VL Coffin of Cavendish defeated Mark Yeungling of Weathersfield.

Republicans Jim Casey of Hubbardton and Ken Wells of Brownington won handily when Democrats did not field a candidate to retire.

The highlight for Democrats was a district in Chittenden County where incumbent Rep. Sarita Austin and newcomer Wendy Critchlow, both of Colchester, defeated Republican challengers and flipped a seat the other way.

The overall balance of power is complicated by partisan shifts in two other districts. Anne Donahue of Northfield, a longtime Republican, won re-election as an independent, while Democrat Chris Morrow of Weston won a seat for his party previously held by independent Kelly Pajala, who did not run.