Incumbent Rep. James Carroll, D-Bennington, has lost his reelection bid to Democratic newcomer Michael Nigro.
The margins were close — Nigro beat Carroll by 75 votes, 1,491 to 1,416. Republican incumbent Rep. Mary Morrissey was the top vote-getter in the two-seat district, with 1,940 votes.
Carroll came into office in 2018, after local Democratic Party committee members chose him to replace Rep. Kiah Morris on the midterm election ballot. Morris had stepped down after facing racist threats and online harassment. Nigro had also been nominated to replace Morris on the ballot, but ultimately lost to Carroll.
Nigro called the results “overwhelming.” He couldn’t say what separated him from Carroll in this election, but said he’s excited to start representing the people of his Bennington district.
“In some ways, it feels like I just crossed the finish line,” Nigro said. “But now the job really starts.”
Carroll said he couldn’t explain how Nigro beat him by 75 votes. He said he’s disappointed, and had worked hard to connect to voters.
“I hope that he’ll work as hard as I did for the people of Bennington,” Carroll said.
— Grace Elletson
