Vermont's 2nd congressional district

Vermont's 2nd congressional district
Name	Vermont's 2nd congressional district
State	Vermont
Created	1821
Population	332,422
Population year	2020
Median income	$70,000
Ethnicity	92.5% White, 1.8% Black, 1.7% Asian, 1.5% Two or more races, 1.4% Other, 1.1% Native American
Cpvi	D+15

Contents

History
Election results
List of representatives
Recent elections
Demographics
See also

Vermont's 2nd congressional district is one of the state's two districts for the United States House of Representatives. It encompasses the eastern portion of Vermont, including the state's most populous city, Burlington, and the Upper Valley region along the Connecticut River. The district has been represented by a Democrat since 1991 and is considered one of the most reliably Democratic districts in the nation. It is currently represented by Becca Balint, who was first elected in 2022.

History

The district was created following the 1820 United States census, with representation beginning in the 17th United States Congress. For much of the 19th and early 20th centuries, the district was a stronghold for the Republican Party, reflecting Vermont's traditional political alignment. A significant political shift began in the latter half of the 20th century, influenced by the progressive politics of figures like Bernie Sanders, who served as the Mayor of Burlington. The district elected its first modern-era Democrat, Peter Smith, in 1988, though he served only one term. The current Democratic dominance was solidified with the election of Bernard Sanders as an independent to the United States House of Representatives in 1990, who caucused with the Democrats. Following Sanders's election to the United States Senate, the seat has been held continuously by Democrats, including Peter Welch and his successor, Becca Balint.

Election results

Election results in recent decades have shown overwhelming victories for Democratic candidates. In the 2022 election, Becca Balint won with over 60% of the vote against her Republican opponent. The district's Cook Partisan Voting Index of D+15 indicates it is one of the most Democratic-leaning districts in the country. Presidential election results mirror this trend, with Joe Biden carrying the district by a wide margin in 2020 and Hillary Clinton doing the same in 2016. Third-party candidates, particularly from the Vermont Progressive Party, often receive a notable share of the vote in both congressional and local elections.

List of representatives

Representatives have come from various parties throughout history, including the Anti-Masonic Party, Whigs, and Republicans. Notable 19th-century representatives include Jacob Collamer, who later served in the United States Senate and as Postmaster General. In the 20th century, William H. Meyer was the first Democrat elected from Vermont to the United States Congress in over a century. The modern era is defined by Bernie Sanders (1991–2007), Peter Welch (2007–2023), and the current representative, Becca Balint (2023–present). Balint previously served as President pro tempore of the Vermont Senate.

Recent elections

The 2022 election was historically significant as it featured an open seat following Peter Welch's successful run for the United States Senate. The Democratic primary was a competitive contest between Becca Balint and Molly Gray, with Balint emerging victorious. In the general election, Balint defeated Republican Liam Madden and several other candidates. The 2020 election saw Peter Welch win re-election with over 66% of the vote. These results underscore the district's strong Democratic preference and the high profile of its congressional races within Vermont politics.

Demographics

According to the 2020 United States census, the district has a population of approximately 332,422. The largest city is Burlington, home to the University of Vermont and Champlain College. Other significant population centers include Montpelier (the state capital), Barre, Brattleboro, and St. Johnsbury. The district is predominantly non-Hispanic white, with smaller populations of Hispanic, Black, and Asian residents. Economically, the area includes a mix of government employment in Montpelier, education and healthcare in Burlington, manufacturing, agriculture, and a growing technology sector.