Welch easily moves on in contest to replace Leahy

BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Vermont Congressman Peter Welch Tuesday easily captured the Democratic nomination in the race to replace Senator Patrick Leahy in Washington, according to AP projections.

With under 10% of precincts reporting, the AP called the race for Welch.

Welch, who has served 15 years as Vermont’s lone House member, faced minimal opposition from political newcomers Dr. Niki Thran and Isaac Evans-Franz.

In a statement, Welch thanked his supporters and Democratic opponents. “This is an All Hands on Deck moment. The stakes of this race are too high to sit this one out. In a 50/50 Senate, our ability to address unprecedented challenges like the affordability crisis, the climate emergency, individual rights that are being threatened by an extremist Supreme Court, and an imperiled democracy depend on Democrats’ maintaining or expanding our majority in the Senate this election,” Welch said.

Welch was first elected to represent Windsor County in the Vermont Senate in 1980 and went on to become Senate President. Since joining Congress in 2007, he has championed environmental legislation, taken on issues surrounding child care, broadband access, and lowering the cost of prescription drugs. He serves on the House Intelligence Committee and says he plans to bring that experience with him to the Senate.

Welch looks to federally protect women’s reproductive rights as well as end the filibuster, if that’s what it takes to protect reproductive liberty.

Copyright 2022 WCAX. All rights reserved.