Sen. Larry Hart, R-Orange, announced in a letter Monday to state officials that he will resign effective Nov. 14.
The first-term senator was part of the Vermont Legislature’s red wave in 2024, when the GOP flipped House and Senate seats up and down the state.
In his letter of resignation, Hart said he’d struggled to make the impact he wanted during his first session, particularly on substance use policy.
“As you may know I experienced the loss of my daughter and grandchild to addiction prior to running for the Senate,” he said in the letter. He said he had hoped to honor his daughter by serving in office.
“The time and commitment became too great for my health and emotional well-being. I feel I owe it to my constituents to step down,” Hart wrote.
Hart did not respond to requests for comment this week.
With Hart’s departure, Vermont’s Senate now has two vacancies following the resignation of fellow Republican Sam Douglass earlier this month.
Douglass drew national headlines when hateful comments he and others made in a national Young Republican group chat leaked. Politicians across the political spectrum in Vermont immediately called for his resignation.
Gov. Phil Scott will appoint replacements for Douglass and Hart once the Republican parties in both districts submit a list of potential successors. Those appointed replacements will be up for election in November 2026.
Following Hart’s resignation, Rep. Monique Priestley, D-Bradford, announced Wednesday she intended to run for the Orange County Senate seat in 2026.
“Affordability isn’t a talking point – it’s a daily reality for families, seniors, and young people trying to make a life here,” Priestley said in a statement accompanying her announcement. “Vermonters sent a clear message this year: it’s time for leadership that listens and responds. We can’t afford to ignore the pressures facing everyday people any longer.”
Priestley’s decision mirrors that of Gaston Bathalon, a Democrat from Troy serving on the town’s selectboard, who said he’d run for Douglass’ seat.
Both the Orleans and Orange county seats were previously held by Democrats before the 2024 election.
