2016 Vermont Senate election
The 2016 Vermont Senate election took place as part of the biennial United States elections. Vermont voters elected State Senators in all 30 seats. State senators serve two-year terms in the Vermont Senate. The election coincided with elections for other offices including the Presidency, U.S. Senate, U.S. House, Governor, and State House. A primary election held on August 9, 2016 determined which candidates appeared on the November 6 general election ballot.
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All 30 seats in the Vermont Senate 15 (plus the Lt. Gov.) seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Results: Democratic hold Democratic gain Republican hold Progressive hold | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Elections in Vermont |
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Following the 2014 Senate elections, Democrats maintained control of the Senate with 21 members in the majority caucus (19 Democrats and 2 Progressives). To claim control of the chamber from Democrats, the Republicans would have needed to net gain 6 or 7 seats depending on the winner of the 2016 Vermont lieutenant gubernatorial election, which was Progressive Dave Zuckerman. However, in these elections, the Democrats instead gained 2 seats from the Republicans. After these elections, Joe Benning stepped down as Minority Leader and he was succeeded by Dustin Degree. Tim Ashe was elected as the new President pro tempore to succeed John Campbell, who had retired.