Democratic Vermont U.S. Rep. Peter Welch easily defeated a little-known Republican challenger to win the Senate seat being vacated by Patrick Leahy, the longest-serving member of the upper chamber.
Welch, who was elected to the House in 2006 and won reelection with lopsided votes every two years since, defeated Republican Gerald Malloy, a retired U.S. Army officer endorsed by former President Donald Trump.
In a year in which the parties are grappling for control of the Senate, Welch’s election keeps the seat from the deep blue state safely in the Democratic column.
Welch, 75, drew some criticism before the vote for giving up his House seniority to start as a freshman Senator. But he said his experience was needed in the Senate at a time when he feels the foundation of American democracy is under threat.
Welch pitched himself as someone able to work across the aisle and find common ground with Republican colleagues in a hyper-partisan era.
Leahy, who was first elected to the Senate in 1974, was the last of the so-called “Watergate babies” elected to Congress after the resignation that year of former President Richard Nixon.
In the House, Welch worked for energy efficiency, cutting the prices of prescription drugs, investing in infrastructure, and expanding broadband into rural areas. He served on the Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and the Committee on Oversight and Reform.
Welch was a chief deputy whip of the House Democratic Caucus, and a member of the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee.
In his bid for the Senate, Welch spent nearly $2.5 million this election cycle, and as of Sept. 30 still had nearly $2.7 million in the bank.
Malloy, a political newcomer who moved to Vermont in 2020, defeated a more mainstream Republican in Vermont’s August primary. He spent about $165,000 during the primary and general election, and had about $61,000 in the bank.
Malloy said he was a traditional pro-life conservative who believes that regulating abortion should be left to the states.
Welch was born in Massachusetts and moved to Vermont in 1974, where he first worked as a public defender. He was a longtime member of the Vermont Senate, and was its first Democratic Senate president pro tempore. In 2006, he won the U.S. House seat, which became vacant when Bernie Sanders moved from the House to the Senate.
In an election night victory statement, Welch said:
“I’m excited and honored to have received such broad support from Vermonters, and to be their next U.S. Senator. Thank you to our supporters, volunteers, and my friends, family, and amazing staff who worked so hard to help us win this critical election.
“It’s been an incredible privilege to have served Vermont in the U.S. House for the past 16 years where I’ve worked to bring the “Vermont Way” of mutual respect, civility, and finding common ground to Washington, DC. I am ready to bring that approach and get to work on Day One in the Senate to address the urgent challenges we face – higher prices hurting our working families, a climate in crisis, reproductive rights under threat, and an imperiled democracy.
“While the votes are still being counted across the country and we’re unsure what the Senate will look like in January, we know that – whoever is in charge – the “Vermont way” is needed to find solutions to our shared problems. It’s how Senator Patrick Leahy served us so well for 48 years, and it’s how I am committed to serve every day in the Senate. Vermont has always led the way during our toughest times, and now is no different. We need to come together to help our country through the challenges we face.
“Lastly, I’m excited to congratulate Vermont's expected first Congresswoman, Becca Balint. She will be a terrific representative for Vermont and our country. I look forward to partnering with her and Sen. Bernie Sanders to deliver for Vermonters.”