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What would campaign season look like if a vacancy in Vermont’s congressional delegation arose next year?
“I would anticipate we would see something close to a very polite free-for-all,” said Julia Barnes, a Burlington-based political consultant.
An array of current statewide office holders are among the likeliest candidates to try for a future congressional seat — meaning a string of down-ballot contests would likely accompany a competitive race to Washington, D.C.
Speculation is running high about whether Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., will retire or seek a nearly unprecedented ninth term next November. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., is up for reelection in 2024, and Rep. Peter Welch, D-Vt., is thought to be interested in succeeding either senator if they retire.
Whenever the next vacancy occurs, it could represent a once-in-a-generation chance to reshape Vermont’s congressional representation.
On this week’s podcast, recorded live at a VTDigger virtual event this week, veteran political professionals Liz Bankowski, Dennise Casey and Julia Barnes, as well as VTDigger political reporter Lola Duffort and managing editor Paul Heintz, discuss the future of the state’s delegation.
