Democrats Overwhelmingly Elected in Top Vermont Races

Democrats saw a near sweep of election wins in Vermont on Tuesday.

Vermont’s incumbent Democratic Congressman Peter Welch got 72 percent of the vote and Senator Bernie Sanders, an independent who often votes with Democrats, was re-elected with 71 percent of the vote .  Governor Peter Shumlin was 20 points ahead of his nearest challenger with 58 percent. Democratic Attorney General Bill Sorell was re-elected and the Democrat appointed as treasurer was elected for a full term. The only Republican winning a top state office was incumbent Lieutenant Governor Phil Scott.  Vermont Political Analyst Chris Graff says Vermonters like incumbents.

Vermont was the fist state called on election night for President Obama.  Vermont, at one time,  was considered the most Republican state in the nation, but Graff says this year the Democratic shift to dominance was particularly evident.
 
This year also saw an influx of PAC money in the Vermont election race.  The most controversial  spending was in the treasurer's race.  Burlington Free Press Political Reporter Sam Hemingway says the advertising may have had an impact, but not necessarily the way the PAC’s desired.

The makeup of the Vermont legislature is mostly unchanged and Democrats will continue to control both the House and Senate chambers.

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Credit WAMC