2022 United States Senate election in Vermont

The 2022 United States Senate election in Vermont will be held on November 8, 2022, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Vermont. The incumbent, Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy, announced on November 15, 2021, that he would not seek re-election. This will become the first open U.S. Senate seat in Vermont since 2006.^[1]

Democratic primary[]

Candidates[]

Declared[]

Peter Welch, U.S. representative for Vermont's at-large congressional district (2007–present)^[2]^[3]

Democratic candidates^[a]

U.S. representative
Peter Welch
from Burlington

Filed paperwork[]

Niki Thran, physician^[4]^[5]

Potential[]

Miro Weinberger, mayor of Burlington (2012-present)^[6]

Declined[]

Becca Balint, president pro tempore of the Vermont Senate (2021–present)^[7]^[8]^[9]^[10](running for U.S. House)^[11]
Sarah Copeland-Hanzas, state representative (2005–present)^[7]
T.J. Donovan, attorney general of Vermont (2017–present)^[12]^[13]^[7]
Molly Gray, lieutenant governor of Vermont (2021–present)^[7]^[10] (running for U.S. House)^[14]
Christine Hallquist, businesswoman and nominee for governor of Vermont in 2018^[15]
Jill Krowinski, speaker of the Vermont House of Representatives (2021–present)^[7]^[16]
Patrick Leahy, incumbent U.S. senator (1975–present)^[1]
Kesha Ram, state senator (2021–present) and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2016^[10] (endorsed Welch)
Tanya Vyhovsky, state representative^[17]^[18]^[b]
David Zuckerman, former lieutenant governor of Vermont (2017–2021) and Democratic and Progressive nominee for governor of Vermont in 2020^[19]^[b]

Endorsements[]

Peter Welch

U.S. Senators

Bernie Sanders, U.S. Senator from Vermont (2007-present), former U.S. representative for Vermont's at-large congressional district (1991-2007), presidential candidate in 2016 and 2020^[20]

State legislators

Kesha Ram, state senator (2021–present) and candidate for lieutenant governor in 2016^[21]

Republican primary[]

Candidates[]

Filed Paperwork

Tom Sullivan, UVM President Emeritus and Political Science Professor.^[22]

Potential[]

Scott Milne, businessman, nominee for governor of Vermont in 2014, nominee for U.S. Senate in 2016, and nominee for lieutenant governor in 2020^[4]

Declined[]

Jim Douglas, former governor of Vermont (2003–2011) and nominee for U.S. Senate in 1992^[23]
Phil Scott, incumbent governor of Vermont (2017–present)^[24]

Progressive primary[]

Candidates[]

Declined[]

Tanya Vyhovsky, state representative^[17]

Minor-party and Independent candidates[]

Filed paperwork[]

Carl Mark Coester (American Independent Party), truck driver^[4]^[25]
Brock Pierce (Independent), cryptocurrency investor, former actor, and candidate for president of the United States in 2020^[26]
Kerry Raheb (Independent)^[27]^[28] Investment Banking

Rahebforsenate

Potential[]

Cris Ericson (Independent), paralegal and perennial candidate^[4]

General election[]

Predictions[]

Source	Ranking	As of
The Cook Political Report^[29]	Solid D	July 16, 2021
Inside Elections^[30]	Solid D	October 8, 2021
Sabato's Crystal Ball^[31]	Safe D	March 11, 2021

Hypothetical polling

with Patrick Leahy and Phil Scott

Poll source	Date(s) administered	Sample size^[c]	Margin of error	Patrick Leahy (D)	Phil Scott (R)	Other	Undecided
Braun Research/VPR	September 3–15, 2020	582 (LV)	± 4.0%	38%	41%	7%^[d]	15%

Notes[]

^ The images in this gallery are in the public domain or are otherwise free to use. This gallery should not be construed as a list of major or noteworthy candidates. If a candidate is not included in this gallery, it is only because there are no high-quality, copyright-free photographs of them available on the Internet.
^ ^a ^b Candidate is a member of the Progressive Party, but runs with the Democratic Party's endorsement under Vermont's electoral fusion system
^ Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear
^ "Neither" with 7%

References[]

^ ^a ^b "Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, longest-serving member of US Senate, says he won't run for reelection in 2022". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
^ Forgey, Quint (November 22, 2021). "Rep. Peter Welch launches Senate bid for Leahy's seat". Politico. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
^ "Rep. Peter Welch announces run for U.S. Senate". WCAX-TV. Burlington, Vt. November 22, 2021. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "Politics1 - Online Guide to Vermont Politics". Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
^ "FEC Form 2 for Report FEC-1533979". Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
^ Lamdin, Courtney [@clamdin] (November 15, 2021). "We asked @MiroBTV if he's considering a bid for higher office in light of @SenatorLeahy's impending retirement. Through his spox, @whatssheesaid, the mayor didn't say yes, but he didn't say no. #btv #vtpoli t.co/q5edEkFUJc" (Tweet). Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021 – via Twitter.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Heintz, Paul (November 18, 2020). "If Sanders Joined Biden's Cabinet, Who Would Succeed Him in the Senate?". Seven Days. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
^ O'Connor, Kevin (November 3, 2020). "Senate leader Becca Balint's new signs hint at future statewide run". VTDigger. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
^ Sukiennik, Greg (November 23, 2020). "Balint, women leaders, Brock make history as Senate leadership shifts". Brattleboro Reformer. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.
^ ^a ^b ^c "Will Leahy Run? As He Ponders, Three Potential Congressional Candidates Gear up". Archived from the original on November 10, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2021.
^ Duffort, Lola (December 13, 2021). "Becca Balint, leader of the Vermont Senate joins race for US House". VTDigger. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
^ Davis, Eric (October 24, 2019). "Vermont elections may lack drama". Addison County Independent. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
^ Xander Landen & Kit Norton (October 29, 2019). "Democrats poll Zuckerman and Donovan for governor as Holcombe presses ahead". VTDigger. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved October 25, 2020.
^ "Lt. Gov. Molly Gray announces run for Vermont's sole US House seat". myNBC5.com. December 6, 2021. Archived from the original on December 6, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
^ Coleman, J. Miles. "2022 Senate Races: Initial Ratings – Sabato's Crystal Ball". Retrieved February 16, 2021.
^ "Column | Lt. Gov. Molly Gray Says She's Too Focused on Her Current Role to Think About Running for Congress".
^ ^a ^b Grim, Ryan (November 14, 2021). "Bernie Sanders could snuff out a potential primary challenge to replace Patrick Leahy". Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
^ "Leaders, potential candidates hail U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy as he announces 2022 retirement". Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.
^ Lindholm, Jane [@JaneLindholm] (November 15, 2021). "David Zuckerman coming out of the gate fast with his declaration, on @vermontedition, that he will NOT be running for the open Senate seat, and he advises patience for others who are considering jumping in. #vtpoli (Guess I won't make my announcement quite yet, then.)" (Tweet). Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021 – via Twitter.
^ Knutson, Jacob (November 22, 2021). "Vermont Rep. Peter Welch to seek Leahy's Senate seat". Axios. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.
^ "Congressman Peter Welch to run for U.S. Senate after Sen. Leahy opts to not seek re-election". Vermont Public Radio. November 22, 2021. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2021.
^ "FEC Form 2 for Report FEC-1551726". docquery.fec.gov. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
^ Reed, Nathaniel [@ReedReports] (November 15, 2021). "JUST IN: Former Longtime Vermont Governor Jim Douglas (R-VT, 2003-2011) tells me (@Newsy) he will NOT run for Senate in 2022. Says he assumes Rep. @PeterWelch (D-VT) "would be the favorite, if he decides to run"" (Tweet). Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021 – via Twitter.
^ Examiner, Washington (November 15, 2021). "GOP Vermont governor says he won't run for Senate seat Leahy's giving up". Washington Examiner. Archived from the original on November 19, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2021.
^ "FEC Form 2 for Report FEC-1546208". Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.
^ "FEC Form 2 for Report FEC-1547935".
^ "2022 Election United States Senate - Vermont".
^ "RAHEB, KERRY - Candidate overview". Archived from the original on December 6, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2021.
^ "2022 Senate Race ratings". The Cook Political Report. Archived from the original on January 5, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2021.
^ "Senate ratings". Inside Elections. Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2021.
^ "2022 Senate". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Archived from the original on February 1, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.

External links[]

Campaign sites

Peter Welch (D) for Senator

[disclaimer-4] The images in this gallery are in the public domain or are otherwise free to use. This gallery should not be construed as a list of major or noteworthy candidates. If a candidate is not included in this gallery, it is only because there are no high-quality, copyright-free photographs of them available on the Internet.

[prog-20] Candidate is a member of the Progressive Party, but runs with the Democratic Party's endorsement under Vermont's electoral fusion system

[AKkey-34] Key:
A – all adults
RV – registered voters
LV – likely voters
V – unclear

[35] "Neither" with 7%

[:0-1] "Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, longest-serving member of US Senate, says he won't run for reelection in 2022". news.yahoo.com. Retrieved November 15, 2021.

[2] Forgey, Quint (November 22, 2021). "Rep. Peter Welch launches Senate bid for Leahy's seat". Politico. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.

[3] "Rep. Peter Welch announces run for U.S. Senate". WCAX-TV. Burlington, Vt. November 22, 2021. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.

[politics1-5] "Politics1 - Online Guide to Vermont Politics". Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.

[6] "FEC Form 2 for Report FEC-1533979". Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.

[7] Lamdin, Courtney [@clamdin] (November 15, 2021). "We asked @MiroBTV if he's considering a bid for higher office in light of @SenatorLeahy's impending retirement. Through his spox, @whatssheesaid, the mayor didn't say yes, but he didn't say no. #btv #vtpoli t.co/q5edEkFUJc" (Tweet). Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021 – via Twitter.

[Heintz-8] Heintz, Paul (November 18, 2020). "If Sanders Joined Biden's Cabinet, Who Would Succeed Him in the Senate?". Seven Days. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.

[9] O'Connor, Kevin (November 3, 2020). "Senate leader Becca Balint's new signs hint at future statewide run". VTDigger. Archived from the original on December 5, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.

[10] Sukiennik, Greg (November 23, 2020). "Balint, women leaders, Brock make history as Senate leadership shifts". Brattleboro Reformer. Archived from the original on November 29, 2020. Retrieved November 27, 2020.

[ponders-11] "Will Leahy Run? As He Ponders, Three Potential Congressional Candidates Gear up". Archived from the original on November 10, 2021. Retrieved November 10, 2021.

[Duffort-12] Duffort, Lola (December 13, 2021). "Becca Balint, leader of the Vermont Senate joins race for US House". VTDigger. Retrieved December 14, 2021.

[13] Davis, Eric (October 24, 2019). "Vermont elections may lack drama". Addison County Independent. Archived from the original on October 28, 2020. Retrieved October 25, 2020.

[demspoll-14] Xander Landen & Kit Norton (October 29, 2019). "Democrats poll Zuckerman and Donovan for governor as Holcombe presses ahead". VTDigger. Archived from the original on October 29, 2020. Retrieved October 25, 2020.

[15] "Lt. Gov. Molly Gray announces run for Vermont's sole US House seat". myNBC5.com. December 6, 2021. Archived from the original on December 6, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2021.

[16] Coleman, J. Miles. "2022 Senate Races: Initial Ratings – Sabato's Crystal Ball". Retrieved February 16, 2021.

[17] "Column | Lt. Gov. Molly Gray Says She's Too Focused on Her Current Role to Think About Running for Congress".

[vyhovsky-18] Grim, Ryan (November 14, 2021). "Bernie Sanders could snuff out a potential primary challenge to replace Patrick Leahy". Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.

[19] "Leaders, potential candidates hail U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy as he announces 2022 retirement". Archived from the original on November 18, 2021. Retrieved November 18, 2021.

[21] Lindholm, Jane [@JaneLindholm] (November 15, 2021). "David Zuckerman coming out of the gate fast with his declaration, on @vermontedition, that he will NOT be running for the open Senate seat, and he advises patience for others who are considering jumping in. #vtpoli (Guess I won't make my announcement quite yet, then.)" (Tweet). Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021 – via Twitter.

[22] Knutson, Jacob (November 22, 2021). "Vermont Rep. Peter Welch to seek Leahy's Senate seat". Axios. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2021.

[23] "Congressman Peter Welch to run for U.S. Senate after Sen. Leahy opts to not seek re-election". Vermont Public Radio. November 22, 2021. Archived from the original on November 22, 2021. Retrieved November 25, 2021.

[24] "FEC Form 2 for Report FEC-1551726". docquery.fec.gov. Retrieved December 15, 2021.

[25] Reed, Nathaniel [@ReedReports] (November 15, 2021). "JUST IN: Former Longtime Vermont Governor Jim Douglas (R-VT, 2003-2011) tells me (@Newsy) he will NOT run for Senate in 2022. Says he assumes Rep. @PeterWelch (D-VT) "would be the favorite, if he decides to run"" (Tweet). Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 16, 2021 – via Twitter.

[26] Examiner, Washington (November 15, 2021). "GOP Vermont governor says he won't run for Senate seat Leahy's giving up". Washington Examiner. Archived from the original on November 19, 2021. Retrieved November 20, 2021.

[27] "FEC Form 2 for Report FEC-1546208". Archived from the original on November 15, 2021. Retrieved November 15, 2021.

[28] "FEC Form 2 for Report FEC-1547935".

[29] "2022 Election United States Senate - Vermont".

[30] "RAHEB, KERRY - Candidate overview". Archived from the original on December 6, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2021.

[Cook_PR-31] "2022 Senate Race ratings". The Cook Political Report. Archived from the original on January 5, 2021. Retrieved January 14, 2021.

[Inside_Elections-32] "Senate ratings". Inside Elections. Archived from the original on January 20, 2021. Retrieved January 18, 2021.

[Sabato's_Crystal_Ball-33] "2022 Senate". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Archived from the original on February 1, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2021.

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