In an unexpected twist in the race for the Vermont State Senate, Republican challenger Steve Heffernan defeated democratic incumbent Christopher Bray for one of Addison County’s two senate seats. Heffernan’s election was part of a larger victory for Republicans in the state legislature, picking up enough seats to effectively end the 20-year democratic supermajority.
Incumbent State Senator Ruth Hardy led the four candidates with 23.47% of the vote, followed closely by Heffernan at 23.33% — a difference of just 70 votes. Bray received just over 22% of the vote, while Republican Landel Cochran trailed all three with 16.5% of the vote. The 2024 election marked a major shift from just two years ago, when Bray and Hardy received 30% and 29% of the votes cast, respectively, and neither Republican challenger cracked 15%.
Heffernan spoke to The Campus about his campaign and his belief of why Vermonters were unsatisfied with the previous composition of the State Senate.
“The fuel tax and other tax hikes were the two most important issues when I spoke to people,” Heffernan said. On his first day in office, Hefferenan plans to take on the Affordable Heat Bill, and rework it so that the legislation is aligned with what he sees as common sense and more affordable heating options for state residences. Having worked as an excavator in towns across Vermont, Heffernan believes he has his finger on the pulse of the needs of Vermonters and is ready to take action.
Heffernan said he faced some criticism from potential voters for not having a distinct plan for his term as a state senator but maintained his fresh perspective is important for the state legislature.
“This is one of my best attributes. I’m coming in with an open mind. I don’t have an agenda, so I can look at each issue that is bothering Vermont with a new set of eyes,” he said.
Heffernan explained that he will learn on the job after he is sworn in and begins working on issues facing Addison County, adding that he will attend community events and listen to the needs of his constituents.
On Election Day, voters ended the Democratic supermajority in the legislature and returned the closest partisan divide there since 2000, according to VTDigger.
Gov. Phil Scott, who was just reelected to a fifth term in a landslide, had argued strongly against the Democratic supermajority, going on the campaign trail to stump for Republican candidates in the legislature. Scott endorsed Steve Heffernan for the Addison County senate seat; the governor even went door-to-door on behalf of numerous Republicans vying to unseat Democratic legislators.
The Senate now has 16 Democrats and 13 Republicans, compared to 21 and 7 seats for each respective party in the previous two-year term. The House of Representatives saw Democratic numbers fall from 103 to 87, as Republicans gained almost 20 seats to reach their current 56-seat hold.
With a Republican governor and Democratic legislature, Scott faced significant challenges exerting executive power last session, as the Democratic senators and representatives would propose bills that he would routinely veto. However due to the Democrats’ supermajority, they could then override his vetoes, ultimately curtailing his influence on the state’s legislative agenda.
Scott expressed his frustration with the dynamic in Montpelier. Given the outcome of the State Senate election, Democrats no longer have the power to override the governor’s veto, likely shifting the policy-making process and subsequent legislative outcomes over the next two years.
Heffernan said he believes that many Vermonters, especially the working class, have been dissatisfied with the Democratic supermajority’s actions, leading to his victory.
Heffernan will join Hardy, the Democratic incumbent, to serve as the representatives of Addison County in the Vermont state senate upon their inauguration in January 2025.
Editor’s Note: Addison County Senator Ruth Hardy is married to Film and Media Studies Professor Jason Mittell, who serves as The Campus’ faculty advisor. He had no role in the publication of this article.
