Connecticut’s, New Hampshire’s, and Vermont’s midterm results helped bolster the Democrats nationally, helped the Republicans keep two gubernatorial seats, and had strong turnouts across the three states. The Democrats held onto all the Senate seats up for election in all three states with Sen Richard Blumenthal and Sen. Maggie Hassan winning re-election, and Rep. Peter Welch winning the open seat in Vermont. New Hampshire and Vermont had a significant number of split-ticket voters resulting in republican Governors Chris Sununu and Phil Scott winning their re-elections. Here is some more on each state’s election:
Connecticut
Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont won a second term in a repeat of 2018’s race against Republican Bob Stefanowski. Lamont led the Democrats to victory in the major state-wide races, including William Tong getting re-elected as attorney general, Rep. Sean Scanlon winning his election from comptroller, Stephanie Thomas being elected secretary of state, and Erick Russell winning his close election for treasurer. Sen. Richard Blumenthal won his third term in the state Senate, defeating Leora Levy by over 10 percentage points.
Democrats are projected to retain control of the Connecticut General Assembly, despite efforts from the Republican party to change some seats in the House and Senate. Republicans made their biggest challenge in Connecticut’s 5th District, where Rep. Jahana Hayes won tight a very tight election over Republican George Logan. The other four Representatives from Connecticut were all re-elected with double-digit margins. A ballot measure to allow for early voting passed with a resounding 60% of the vote.
New Hampshire
Gov. Chris Sununu won re-election with a strong 57% of the vote. Sen. Maggie Hassan also won re-election against Don Bolduc, avoiding a potential challenge from Sununu when he chose to run for governor. Both House seats were won by the Democrat incumbents Chris Pappas and Annie McKlane Kuster. The current Executive Council also got re-elected. Votes continue to be counted to determine control in Concord, which will set the tone for the 2023 legislative session.
Vermont
While Republican Gov. Phil Scott won his re-election by a decisive margin, Democrats won the Senate and Representative-At-Large race with Becca Balint becoming the first woman to represent Vermont in Congress. Democrats won the other state-wide races except lieutenant governor, which was won by Progressive David Zuckerman.
Votes still are being tabulated for control of the Legislature, with the Democrats on track to retain control. With Balint heading to Washington, D.C., Democrats will need to select a new Senate Pro Tem with Chittenden County’s Phil Baruth being discussed as a favorite for the position.
Leaders have indicated that child care, paid family leave, and universal school meals will be areas of focus in 2023.
Clare Irvine, Esq.
Clare Irvine, Esq., graduated from Fordham University School of Law and Arizona State University.
