Incumbent Rep. Cynthia Browning, D-Arlington, has been defeated in her race for reelection. Browning lost to Seth Bongartz, who ran a joint campaign with incumbent Rep. Kathleen James, D-Manchester.
Bongartz and James primarily ran on a platform to oust Browning who has a reputation for being a contentious and uncompromising legislator. Browning called for a quorum during a House chamber vote on whether to allow remote voting, just as the coronavirus pandemic was emerging in March. Democratic leaders were forced to call in 76 lawmakers to the House Chamber for an in-person vote on March 25.
During the campaign, Bongartz accused Browning of pulling a stunt at the Statehouse that undermined her effectiveness.
James was the top vote-getter of the night, with a total of 2,797. Bongartz won the district’s second seat with 2,651 votes. Browning trailed with 2,111 votes.
Browning, who is serving as a Democrat but ran as an independent this election, was criticized harshly by some of her own party leaders after the quorum call. Known for her uncompromising principles, Browning ran as an independent this election, in part, to avoid defeat in the Democratic primary.
Terje Anderson, chair of the Vermont Democratic Party, called Browning’s quorum call “an irresponsible step that unnecessarily risks the health” of Statehouse members and staff.
The Bennington Banner described the move as “less of a brave stand and more of a tantrum.” Back in August, Bongartz said he hoped voters would agree with Browning’s critics.
Before the runup to the primary, Browning said she didn’t know if the quorum call would cost her reelection. She said she didn’t regret it: She didn’t think it was right to pass a provision to allow for remote voting by the entire body of lawmakers when only a handful were present.
Browning said she’s disappointed by the loss, but doesn’t regret the quorum call. “No, I don’t regret it because I know I was right. I was following House rules,” she said.
Bongartz was elected to the House twice, in 1980 and 1982. In 1986, he ran for Senate and served one term. He chose to take a break from policy-making to raise his family and build a career as an attorney.
Neither Bongartz nor James immediately returned calls to VTDigger on election night.
