Vermont's at-large congressional district

Vermont's At-large congressional district
File:VT 1.gif
Current Representative		Peter Welch (D–Hartland)
Area	9,620 mi2 (24,923 km2)
Population (2000)	608,827
Median income	$51,755
Ethnicity	95.2% White, 0.8% Black, 0.9% Asian, 1.4% Hispanic, 0.4% Native American, 1.2% other
Occupation	24.6% blue collar, 61% white collar
Cook PVI	D+13

Vermont has been represented in the United States House of Representatives by a single at-large congressional district since the 1930 census, when the state lost its second seat. There were once six districts in Vermont. Bernie Sanders (Independent) held the seat from 1991 until 2007, when he became a U.S. Senator. Democrat Peter Welch has represented the state since 2007.

List of representatives

From 1813–1821, beginning with the 13th Congress, Vermont elected its representatives statewide/at-large. Beginning in 1821 with the 17th Congress, Vermont returned to electing representatives from districts. In 1933, Vermont returned to an at-large district after being reduced to one representative after the 1930 Census.

1813 – 1821: Six seats

Cong ress	Years	Seat A				Seat B				Seat C				Seat D				Seat E				Seat F
		Repre- sentative	Party	Electoral history		Repre- sentative	Party	Electoral history		Repre- sentative	Party	Electoral history		Repre- sentative	Party	Electoral history		Repre- sentative	Party	Electoral history		Repre- sentative	Party	Electoral history
13	March 4, 1813 – March 3, 1815	William C. Bradley	Democratic- Republican	Lost re-election		William Strong	Democratic- Republican	Lost re-election		James Fisk	Democratic- Republican	Lost re-election		Charles Rich	Democratic- Republican	Lost re-election		Richard Skinner	Democratic- Republican	Lost re-election		Ezra Butler	Democratic- Republican	Lost re-election
14	March 4, 1815 – May 5, 1816	Daniel Chipman	Federalist	Resigned		Luther Jewett	Federalist	Lost re-election		Chauncey Langdon	Federalist	Retired		Asa Lyon	Federalist	Lost re-election		Charles Marsh	Federalist	Lost re-election		John Noyes	Federalist	Lost re-election
	May 6, 1816 – March 3, 1817	Vacant
15	March 4, 1817 – April 20, 1818	Orsamus C. Merrill	Democratic- Republican	Election overturned		Mark Richards	Democratic- Republican	Lost re-election		Charles Rich	Democratic- Republican	Re-elected to the 3rd district		Heman Allen	Democratic- Republican	Resigned		Samuel C. Crafts	Democratic- Republican	Re-elected to the 5th district		William Hunter	Democratic- Republican	Retired
	April 20, 1818 – March 3, 1819													Vacant
16	March 4, 1819 – January 12, 1820													William Strong	Democratic- Republican	Lost re-election						Ezra Meech	Democratic- Republican	Lost re-election
	January 13, 1820 – March 3, 1821	Rollin C. Mallary	Democratic- Republican	Re-elected to the 1st district

1933 – present: 1 seat

Representative	Party	Years	Electoral history
Ernest W. Gibson	Republican	March 4, 1933 – October 19, 1933	Redistricted from the 2nd district and re-elected in 1932 Resigned when appointed to U.S. Senate
Vacant		October 19, 1933 – January 16, 1934
Charles A. Plumley	Republican	January 16, 1934 – January 3, 1951	Won special election in 1934 Re-elected in November 1934 Re-elected in 1936 Re-elected in 1938 Re-elected in 1940 Re-elected in 1942 Re-elected in 1944 Re-elected in 1946 Re-elected in 1948 Retired
Winston L. Prouty	Republican	January 3, 1951 – January 3, 1959	Elected in 1950 Re-elected in 1952 Re-elected in 1954 Re-elected in 1956 Retired to run for U.S. Senate
William H. Meyer	Democratic	January 3, 1959 – January 3, 1961	Elected in 1958 Lost re-election
Robert Stafford	Republican	January 3, 1961 – September 16, 1971	Elected in 1960 Re-elected in 1962 Re-elected in 1964 Re-elected in 1966 Re-elected in 1968 Re-elected in 1970 Appointed to U.S. Senate
Vacant		September 16, 1971 – January 7, 1972
Richard W. Mallary	Republican	January 7, 1972 – January 3, 1975	Won special election in 1972 Re-elected in November 1972 Retired to run for U.S. Senate
James M. Jeffords	Republican	January 3, 1975 – January 3, 1989	Elected in 1974 Re-elected in 1976 Re-elected in 1978 Re-elected in 1980 Re-elected in 1982 Re-elected in 1984 Re-elected in 1986 Retired to run for U.S. Senate
Peter P. Smith	Republican	January 3, 1989 – January 3, 1991	Elected in 1988 Lost re-election
Bernie Sanders	Independent	January 3, 1991 – January 3, 2007	Elected in 1990 Re-elected in 1992 Re-elected in 1994 Re-elected in 1996 Re-elected in 1998 Re-elected in 2000 Re-elected in 2002 Re-elected in 2004 Retired to run for U.S. Senate
Peter Welch	Democratic	January 3, 2007 – Current	Elected in 2006 Re-elected in 2008 Re-elected in 2010 Re-elected in 2012 Re-elected in 2014

Recent elections

1990 election

Independent Bernie Sanders defeated incumbent Republican Peter Plympton Smith.

United States House election, 1990: Vermont At-large District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Independent	Bernie Sanders	117,522	56
	Republican	Peter Plympton Smith	82,938	39.52
	Democratic	Lewis E. Young	6,315	3.01
	Liberty Union	Peter Diamondstone	1,965	0.94
	Write-ins	N/A	1,116	0.53
Majority			34,584	16.48
Turnout			209,856
	Independent gain from Republican		Swing

1992 election

Incumbent Bernie Sanders ran for and won re-election.

United States House election, 1992: Vermont At-large District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Independent	Bernie Sanders	162,724	57.78	+1.78%
	Republican	Tim Philbin	86,901	30.86	+2.35%
	Democratic	Lewis E. Young	22,279	7.91	+4.9%
	Natural Law	John Dewey	3,549	1.26	+1.26%
	Liberty Union	Peter Diamondstone	3,660	1.30	+0.36%
	Freedom for LaRouche	Douglas M. Miller	2,049	0.73	+0.73%
	Write-ins	N/A	464	0.16	−0.37%
Majority			75,823	26.92
Turnout			281,626
	Independent hold		Swing

1994 election

Incumbent Bernie Sanders ran for and won re-election.

United States House election, 1994: Vermont At-large District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Independent	Bernie Sanders	105,502	44.84	−12.94%
	Republican	John Carroll	98,523	41.87	+11.01%
	Natural Law	Carole Banus	2,963	1.26	+0.00
	Green	Jack Rogers	2,664	1.13	+1.13%
	Liberty Union	Annette Larson	1,493	0.63	−0.67%
	Write-ins	N/A	304	0.13	−0.03%
Majority			6,979	2.97
Turnout			235,279
	Independent hold		Swing

1996 election

Incumbent Bernie Sanders ran for and won re-election.

United States House of Representatives elections, 1998: Vermont At-large District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Independent	Bernie Sanders	140,678	55.23	+10.39%
	Republican	Susan W. Sweetser	82,021	32.59	−9.28%
	Democratic	Jack Long	23,830	9.36	+9.36%
	Libertarian	Thomas J. Morse	2,693	1.06	+1.06%
	Liberty Union	Peter Diamondstone	1,965	0.77	+0.14%
	Green	Robert Melamede	1,350	0.53	−0.60%
	Natural Law	Norio Kushi	812	0.32	−0.94%
	Write-ins	N/A	357	0.14	+0.01%
Majority			57,657	22.64
Turnout			254,706
	Independent hold		Swing

1998 election

Incumbent Bernie Sanders ran for and won re-election.

United States House of Representatives elections, 1998: Vermont At-large District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Independent	Bernie Sanders	136,403	63.40	+8.17%
	Republican	Mark Candon	70,740	32.88	+0.29%
	Green	Matthew Mulligan	3,464	1.61	+1.08%
	Liberty Union	Peter Diamondstone	2,153	1.01	+.024%
	Libertarian	Robert Maynard	2,097	0.97	−0.09%
	Write-ins	N/A	276	0.13	−.01%
Majority			65,663	30.52
Turnout			215,133
	Independent hold		Swing

2000 election

Incumbent Bernie Sanders ran for and won re-election.

United States House of Representatives elections, 2000: Vermont At-large District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Independent	Bernie Sanders	196,118	69.21	+5.81%
	Republican	Karen Ann Kerin	51,977	18.34	−14.54%
	Liberty Union	Peter Diamondstone	14,918	5.26	+3.65%
	Independent	Stewart Skrill	4,799	1.69	+1.69%
	Green	Jack Rogers	2,978	1.05	−0.56%
	Libertarian	Daniel H. Krymkowski	2,978	1.05	+0.08%
	Write-ins	N/A	760	0.27	+0.14%
Majority			144,141	50.87
Turnout			283,366
	Independent hold		Swing

2002 election

Incumbent Bernie Sanders ran for and won re-election.

United States House of Representatives elections, 2002: Vermont At-large District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Independent	Bernie Sanders	144,880	64.32	−4.89%
	Republican	William Meub	72,813	32.32	+13.98%
	Liberty Union	Jane Newton	3,185	1.41	−3.85%
	Grassroots	Fawn Skinner	2,344	1.04	−0.01%
	Libertarian	Daniel H. Krymkowski	2,033	0.90	−0.15%
Majority			72,067	31.99
Turnout			225,255
	Independent hold		Swing

2004 election

Further information: United States House of Representatives election in Vermont, 2004

Incumbent Bernie Sanders ran for and won re-election.

United States House of Representatives elections, 2004: Vermont At-large District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Independent	Bernie Sanders	205,774	67.47	+2.8%
	Republican	Greg Parke	74,271	24.35	−7.7%
	Democratic	Larry Drown	21,684	7.11	+7.1%
	Liberty Union	Jane Newton	3,018	0.99	−0.3%
	Write-ins	N/A	261	0.09	N/A
Majority			131,503	43.11
Turnout			305,008
	Independent hold		Swing	+5.3

2006 election

Further information: United States House of Representatives election in Vermont, 2006

Incumbent Bernie Sanders retired to run for (and win) a U.S. Senate seat.

Vermont Senate President Pro Tempore Peter Welch (D-Windsor County) was the Democratic nominee and the eventual winner.

Three candidates competed for the Republican nomination:

• Major General Martha Rainville, USANG (ret) (R), former Adjutant General of the Vermont National Guard.
• Vermont State Senator Mark Shepard (R-Bennington County).
• Republican businessman Dennis Morrisseau, who promised to bring articles of impeachment against President George W. Bush.

Rainville won the Republican primary on September 12, beating Shepard by a wide margin.

There were also numerous third party and independent candidates: Chris Karr (WTP), Bruce Marshall (Green Party), Dennis Morrisseau (Ind), Jane Newton (Liberty Union Party), Keith Stern (Ind), and Jerry Trudell (Ind). Morrisseau gathered the most votes, with 1% or 1,383 votes.

By September 14, 2006, the race between Rainville and Welch was close. An American Research Group poll showed Welch with a 48–45% lead.

On October 4, 2006, The Burlington Free Press reported that one of Rainville's staffers, Christopher Stewart, resigned from her campaign after committing plagiarism—copying policy statements from other politicians, including Senator Hillary Clinton, and using them on Rainville's website. Rainville's website was off-line for some time while her staff removed the plagiarized passages. [1]

Welch beat Rainville 53% to 45%, or 139,585 votes to 117,211.

United States House of Representatives elections, 2006: Vermont At-large District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Peter Welch	139,815	53.22	+46.1
	Republican	Martha Rainville	117,023	44.54	+20.1
	Impeach Bush Now	Dennis Morrisseau	1,390	0.53	+0.53
	Independent	Jerry Trudell	1,013	0.39	+0.39
	Green	Bruce Marshall	994	0.38	+0.38
	Independent	Keith Stern	963	0.37	+0.37
	Liberty Union	Jane Newton	721	0.27	−0.7
	We the People	Chris Karr	599	0.23	+0.23
	Write-ins	N/A	208	0.08	+0.08
Majority			22,792	8.68	−34.4
Turnout			262,726
	Democratic gain from Independent		Swing

2008 election

Further information: United States House of Representatives election in Vermont, 2008

United States House of Representatives elections, 2008: Vermont At-large District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Peter Welch	248,203	83.25	+30.03%
	Independent	Mike Bethel	14,349	4.18	+4.18
	Energy Independence	Jerry Trudel	10,818	3.63	+3.63%
	VT Progressive	Thomas James Hermann	9.081	3.05	+3.05%
	Independent	Cris Ericson	7,841	2.63	+2.63%
	Liberty Union	Jane Newton	5,307	1.78	+1.51%
	Write-ins	N/A	2,552	0.86	+0.78%
Majority			233,854	78.43
Turnout			298,151
	Democratic hold		Swing

2010 election

Further information: United States House of Representatives election in Vermont, 2010

United States House of Representatives elections, 2010: Vermont At-large District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Peter Welch	154,006	64.57	−18.68%
	Republican	Paul D. Beaudry	76,403	32.03	+32.03%
	Independent (politician)	Gus Jaccaci	4,704	1.97	+1.97%
	Socialist	Jane Newton	3,222	1.35	−0.43%
	Write-ins	N/A	186	0.08	−0.78%
Majority			77,603	32.54
Turnout			238,521
	Democratic hold		Swing

2012 election

Further information: United States House of Representatives election in Vermont, 2012

United States House of Representatives elections, 2012: Vermont At-large District

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Democratic	Peter Welch	208,600	72.01	+7.44%
	Republican	Mark Donka	67,543	23.32	−8.71%
	Independent	James “Sam” Desrochers	8,302	2.87	+0.90%
	Liberty Union	Jane Newton	4,065	1.40	+1.40%
	VoteKISS	Andre Laframboise	1,153	0.40	+0.40%
Majority			141,057	48.69
Turnout			289,663
	Democratic hold		Swing

Living former Members of the U.S. House of Representatives from Vermont's at-large congressional district

As of April 2015, two former members of the U.S. House of Representatives from Vermont's at-large congressional district are alive.

U.S. Representative	U.S. House of Representatives Term	Date of birth (and age)
Peter P. Smith	1989–1991	(1945-10-31) October 31, 1945
Bernie Sanders	1991–2007	(1941-09-08) September 8, 1941

2008 Presidential primary results

Democratic primary

Then-U.S. Senator and now President Barack Obama of Illinois won the March 4, 2008 Vermont Democratic Primary with 59.31% of the statewide/at-large congressional district vote while then-U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York received 38.59%.

Republican primary

U.S. Senator John McCain of Arizona won the March 4, 2008 Vermont Republican Primary with 71.32% of the statewide/at-large congressional district vote while former Governor Mike Huckabee of Arkansas finished second with 14.30%.

Sources

• Office of the Clerk: Election Statistics since 1920
• Congressional Biographical Directory of the United States 1774–present