Speaker of the House Mitzi Johnson lost her reelection bid on Tuesday, coming in third by a mere 18 votes in the Grand Isle House race. Pending a recount, those results would leave the House Democrats scrambling to find a new leader ahead of a legislative session that begins in January.
Republicans Leland Morgan and Michael Morgan, who are uncle and nephew, came in first and second, respectively.
Leland Morgan received 2,768 votes (26.64%), Michael Morgan received 2,619 votes (25.21%) and Johnson received 2,601 votes (25.03%), according to the unofficial count reported to Vermont’s Secretary of State. Andy Julow, the other Democrat in the race, got 23.12% of the vote.
In a statement, Johnson said that “if the preliminary vote totals have been reported correctly, we will proceed with a recount.”
“It’s not uncommon for Vermont House elections to be extremely close,” she added. “Over the years, we’ve seen tight races and recounts in this district. I want to ensure every vote is counted and that we have clarity on the outcome of this election.”
The Morgans said many constituents they’ve spoken to in their district feel that Johnson hasn’t been responsive.
“We hear it everywhere we go, and I don’t mean a little bit—a lot bit—that she’s lost touch with her constituents,” Michael Morgan said. “She doesn’t answer phone calls, doesn’t answer emails … and just is a non-responsive politician at this point.”
Leland Morgan echoed these comments.
“In her quest to climb the political ladder she seems to have forgotten where she came from and who she represents, that’s what I hear from my constituents, and that, I believe, is why we won the election,” he said.
Leland Morgan added as speaker of the House that “pushed through” a Democratic agenda that constituents in the district “are not ready for.” They both pointed to the Global Warming Solutions Act, a bill that mandated the state to meet carbon emissions reduction targets in the coming years.
Gov. Phil Scott vetoed the legislation, but Democrats in the House successfully overrode him, making the bill law.
Michael Morgan ran for the same seat in 2018 and lost. But he said since then he has continued to build relationships in the district that helped him win the election. He called the pair’s campaign efforts a “grassroots good old-fashioned Vermont campaign.”
During the pandemic, he didn’t knock on voters’ doors, but communicated using social media, mailers and advertisements in the district’s local newspaper: The Islander.
Together, the Morgans raised about $30,000 and spent about $16,000 on their campaigns. Johnson spent just under $12,000.
Michael Morgan’s upset was not totally unexpected. Johnson had held onto her seat by thin margins in recent years. In 2018, she beat him by only 148 votes.
The House Progressives also lost their caucus leader on Tuesday, with Rep. Robin Chesnut-Tangerman losing by 32 votes to Sally Achey, a Republican.
Chesnut-Tangerman first won a House seat in 2014 and was re-elected twice. He said he was surprised to lose but gave Achey credit for running a strong campaign. He said he’s also considering a recount, but wouldn’t make a decision on election night.
Chesnut-Tangerman received 1,385 votes compared to Achey’s 1,417.
Achey said she’s excited and proud to be heading to the Statehouse. As to how she flipped a Progressive seat to a Republican one, Achey said she knocked on every door in her district and prioritized the concerns she heard, particularly the fear of rising taxes.
“I’m feeling very, very proud and humbled by these people,” Achey said. “And I’m going to do my best representing them in Montpelier.”
Democrats retained a large majority in the House with 92 seats, Republicans maintained 44 members, Progressives held seven seats and Independents kept five members. The results for two seats were still being counted Tuesday night.
