After the Red Wave, the Blue Undertow.
About half of the Republican House Red Wave Class of 2024 lost their bids for re-election yesterday, November 3.
The once-sturdy 57-vote caucus collapsed to (by VDC’s count) to 38 yesterday in what GOP Chair Paul Dame, in a late-night statement, called part of the nationwide response to dissatisfaction with President Trump. The Democrats and Democrat-Progressives now have a firm supermajority of at least 109 votes in the House of Representatives – enough to overcome a governor’s veto even if several caucus members defect.
Two of the three re-elected independents, Jed Lipsky of Stowe and Adam Howard of Cambridge, may likely vote with Republicans on some issues.
In the House, the following freshmen GOP reps were unseated: Rob North of Ferrisburgh, Jim Casey of Hubbardton, Sandy Pinsonault of Dorset, Debbie Powers of Waterford, Brenda Steady of Milton, Tony Micklus of Milton, Joe Luneau of St. Albans, Richard Bailey of Hyde Park, Kevin Winter of Ludlow, Michael Boutin of Barre City, VL Coffin of Cavendish, and Tom Charlton of Chester.
Freshmen Republicans who kept their seats were Michael Southworth of Walden, Deborah Dolgin of St. Johnsbury, Greg Burtt of Danville, Mike Tagliavia of Corinth, Ken Wells of Brownington, Dave Bosch of Clarendon, Chris Brown (who resigned after his 2024 re-election) of Castleton, Christopher Rowland of Rutland, Chris Keyser of Rutland, Alicia Malay of Pittsford, and Chris Pritchard of Pawlet.
Also, longtime Bennington incumbent Mary Morrissey was unseated; Republican Tom Otterman defeated his great-nephew Aiden in Orange County; and Franklin County is no longer solid red with losses to Democrats in several districts.
For a full tally of House voting results, see FYIVT.com election page and click on House. Here’s a quick overview of the first-place finishers in all districts (some are two-person districts).
Authors’ and Speakers’ opinions are their own and may not represent those of Grok Media, LLC, GraniteGrok.com, its sponsors, readers, authors, or advertisers.
Disagree, agree, Got Something to say? We Want to Hear It. Comment or submit Op-Eds to steve@granitegrok.com
