At a Saturday Democratic caucus for state senators, Sen. Phil Baruth won the title of majority leader for Vermont’s upper chamber, while Sen. Claire Ayer was selected as assistant majority leader.
The two will almost certainly be elected Wednesday as the state Senate formally votes on its leaders. Baruth and Ayer, who represent Chittenden and Addison districts, respectively, were elected in a voice vote with no opposition.
Baruth, a junior senator serving his second term, said he’d had problems with the way the Senate was run last year, which prompted him to discuss a leadership bid with Senate President Pro Tem John Campbell over the summer.
“It turned out that some of the more experienced people had exciting possibilities elsewhere, so there was an opening there,” said Baruth. Several senior senators preferred to hold on to committee chairs rather than shoot for the Democratic leadership.
Ayer, previously seen as a strong candidate for majority leader, eventually decided to run for the assistant position, so she could keep her powerful health and welfare committee chairmanship.
“Mainly I wanted to make sure that with our goals for universal health care in the future, we can stay on the track we’re on. … I don’t want it to be derailed for a lack of attention or lack of attention to detail,” said Ayer.
Baruth said he’d aim to keep the Democratic caucus and discussion more inclusive in his role, and manage tensions between more progressive and conservative factions within the 23-member caucus. Baruth is known as a more liberal Democrat.
“I think it was a way for John to reach out to some people who weren’t necessarily being heard last time, and to keep faith with the idea that we’re going to make things more inclusive,” said Baruth, of the new leadership configuration.
“Broadening the leadership a little bit, sharing the ability to set the agenda a little more, that’s what we’re trying to do now,” said Baruth. “There’s a compromise to be had on every issue; let’s work in a stable, productive way to find it.”
Senate President Pro Tem John Campbell welcomed the leadership shifts. He said Baruth would bring “a new vision to the role,” and that Ayer “has been a consummate professional, involved in almost every area of the Senate, from leadership to chairing committees.”
“We’ve just got a tremendous team that will be able to provide us with a new opportunity to demonstrate just how successful a legislative session can be,” he said.
Baruth and Ayer will replace Sen. Bill Carris, D-Rutland, and Sen. Hinda Miller, D-Burlington, who both stepped down from the Senate last year.
Senate committee chairmanships will be announced on Thursday or Friday, Campbell said.
