In the only race in the state in which an incumbent was guaranteed to lose, Rep. Katherine Sims, D-Craftsbury, defeated Rep. Vicki Strong, R-Albany, by a margin of 60%-38%. Sims is now set to be the sole representative for the redrawn Orleans-4 district, which includes Albany, Craftsbury, Greensboro and Glover.
“You can’t help but feel disappointment,” Strong said Tuesday night. “I really did feel like the district was going to be leaning that way, but I didn’t want to give up. I just want to congratulate Katherine. She’s a very hard worker.”
The two previously served alongside each other in the Vermont House, jointly representing a seven-town district in the Northeast Kingdom. Strong said that the redistricting was “a huge mental shift.”
Sims said that although she is grateful for winning the seat, it is “bittersweet” to not be working alongside Strong.
Both incumbents noted their admiration for each other in running campaigns that didn’t attack one another, but rather highlighted their policy differences.
There were several topics that the two disagreed on throughout their campaigns. Sims — who previously led a rural economic development nonprofit called the Northeast Kingdom Collaborative for three years before her election to the House in 2018 — has said that she is a vocal supporter of Proposal 5, also known as Article 22.
Strong, on the other hand, voted against Proposal 5 when it came before the Legislature for approval in February, and has sponsored bills that would limit abortion access. Strong also vigorously opposed Covid-19 vaccine and masking requirements. The six-term incumbent focused her campaign around affordability and reducing taxes.
Although the district will now be represented by only a Democrat, Sims said that she enjoys hearing from all viewpoints and “trying to find a way forward that best represents everyone in the district regardless of party.”
Sims added that she is “really looking forward to getting back to work.”