BURLINGTON — The four incumbents in the Democratic primary contest for Chittenden County Senate cruised to victory Tuesday accompanied by Rep. Chris Pearson, P-Burlington, and faith leader Debbie Ingram.
Sens. Michael Sirotkin, Tim Ashe, Virginia Lyons and Phil Baruth won handily in the Democratic primary.
Incumbents are heavily favored in the six-member Senate district, where open seats are a rarity. Two open seats in this cycle attracted a total of 11 candidates into the Democratic primary and a flood, by Vermont legislative standards, of campaign spending.
Pearson, who received the next most votes after the incumbents, was buoyed by an endorsement and influx of cash after a fundraising email on his behalf from Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt. A Progressive during his time in the House, Pearson said he sought the Democratic nomination to make the leap into the Senate.
Ingram, who finished sixth in voting Tuesday, was the last one out in her 2012 run for Chittenden County Senate. She had said she was hopeful her strong showing in that race and continued work in the community would boost her in this year’s primary.
Two newcomers who spent heavily to try to land one of the two open seats fell just short. David Scherr, a defense and family law attorney, was the last one out, finishing 375 votes behind Ingram. Faisal Gill, a Winooski business consultant, placed next.
Dawn Ellis, who was the last one out in her 2014 bid, finished behind Scherr and Gill.
For full results visit the secretary of state’s website.
