WHITE RIVER JUNCTION — A full field of primary election candidates are vying to serve as one of three senators representing Windsor County, as state Sen. Alison Clarkson, D-Woodstock, prepares to leave Montpelier in January following 22 years in the Vermont Legislature
Clarkson’s departure is part of a larger switch-up in the Vermont Legislature, where three senators and 30 House members and are slated to vacate their seats at the end of the year, VTDigger reported this month.
As Clarkson wraps up her time in the Senate, incumbent Hartford Democrats Becca White and Joe Major are vying to keep their seats representing Windsor County in the Senate. Meanwhile, four other Democrats also are competing for a Windsor County nomination.
Two Orange County Democrats are competing for a nomination for that Senate seat in the Aug. 11 primaries.
Heading into the primaries, there also are four contested Democratic races in districts that include Upper Valley towns for seats in the House of Representatives.
A Republican primary is also slated in the Windsor-Orange-1 district, which comprises Royalton and Tunbridge.
Windsor County Senate
In the August primary, incumbent Hartford Democrats Becca White and Joe Major will face four other Democratic candidates: Ben Brickner, of Pomfret, current state Rep. Elizabeth Burrows, of West Windsor; Heather Chase, of Chester; and Christopher M Dube, of Hartford.
There also is a full field of Republican candidates running for the three Windsor County seats. Andrea Murray, of Weathersfield; Jonathan Gleason, of Ludlow; and Jack Williams, of Weathersfield, will face the Democratic nominees in November’s general election.
Orange County Senate
Three candidates are vying for one Orange County seat in the Senate. Democratic candidates are Rose Lucenti, of Randolph, and state Rep. Monique Priestley, D-Bradford.
The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican incumbent Sen. John K. Benson, R- Brookfield. Gov. Phil Scott appointed Benson after state Rep. Larry Hart, R-Topsham, stepped down last fall.
Contested races for the House
There are four contested races in districts that include Upper Valley towns for seats in the House of Representatives.
Windsor-1
Three Democratic candidates are vying for two seats in the Windsor-1 district, which comprises Hartland, West Windsor and Windsor. Among them are: incumbent state Rep. John Bartholomew, of Hartland; Dylan Morse, of Hartland; and John G. Tansey, of Windsor.
There are no Republican candidates.
Windsor-3
Three Democrats are competing against each other for two nominations for seats in the Windsor-3 district, which includes Springfield.
Democratic candidates include incumbent state Rep. Alice M. Emmons, state Rep. Kristi C. Morris and Mike Schmitt.
The Republican candidates are Randy A. Gray and Judith Stern, both of Springfield.
Windsor-Orange-1
Democratic candidates for Windsor-Orange-1 district, which comprises Royalton and Tunbridge and has two seats, are Devin G. Brennan, of Royalton, and incumbent state Rep. John K. O’Brien, D-Tunbridge.
The Republican candidates are Robert A. Dunkle, of Tunbridge, and Bruce V. Post, of Royalton.
Windsor-Orange-2
There are three Democratic candidates vying for two seats in the Windsor-Orange-2 district, which comprises Norwich, Sharon, Strafford and Thetford. They include: Dee Gish, of Sharon; incumbent state Rep. Jim Masland, of Thetford, and Lauren Morando Rhim, of Norwich.
State. Rep. Rebecca Holcombe, D-Norwich, who holds the other seat in the district doesn’t plan to run for reelection.
There are no Republican candidates.
Looking ahead to November
Windsor-2
There is no primary race in the Windsor-2 district, which comprises Baltimore, Cavendish and Weathersfield.
But Democratic candidate Mark Yuengling, of Weathersfield, and incumbent state Rep. VL Coffin, R-Cavendish, will be vying for the seat in November.
Windsor-Addison
Incumbent state Rep. Kirk White, D-Bethel, and Republican candidate Michael J. White, of Bethel, will face off in November for one seat in the Windsor-Addison district, which comprises Bethel, Hancock, Rochester and Stockbridge.
No contest
Democrats face no opposition for three House districts that include Upper Valley towns.
Windsor-4
Incumbent state Rep. Michael Hoyt, D-Hartford, is running for reelection to the seat representing Barnard, Bridgewater, Hartford and Pomfret. Hoyt was appointed to fill one of Hartford’s seats in December 2025.
Windsor-5
Incumbent state Rep. Charlie Kimbell, D-Woodstock, is running for reelection to the seat representing Plymouth, Reading and Woodstock.
Windsor-6
State Reps. Esme Cole, D-White River Junction, and Kevin “Coach” Christie, D-Hartford, who was first elected to the House in 2010, are not running for reelection this year.
Instead, Democratic candidates James “Jimmy” Coleman and Alanna Ojibway are running for two seats in the Windsor-6 district, which comprises Hartford.
