- Vermont has no Senate election in 2026 — neither senator holds a Class 2 seat. Vermont's Class 1 seat (Sanders) and Class 3 seat (Welch) are not up for election until 2030 and 2028 respectively.
- Bernie Sanders (I, Class 1) won his fourth full Senate term in November 2024 — defeating Republican Gerald Malloy. His current term runs through January 3, 2031. Next election: 2030.
- Peter Welch (D, Class 3) was elected in 2022 to the seat held by Patrick Leahy (1975–2023). Welch's term runs through January 3, 2029. Next election: 2028.
- Both Vermont senators caucus with Senate Democrats. Vermont remains one of the most reliably progressive states nationally — Harris won Vermont by approximately +35 pts in 2024.
No Vermont Senate election in 2026. Vermont holds Class 1 (Sanders, next 2030) and Class 3 (Welch, next 2028) seats — not Class 2. For active 2026 races see the full Senate 2026 overview.
Vermont Senate Seats — Both Senators
Bernie Sanders (I)
Longest-serving independent in U.S. congressional history. First elected to the Senate in 2006 (won Jim Jeffords's former seat), re-elected 2012, 2018, and 2024. Known nationally for the "political revolution" framing, Medicare for All, and two presidential runs (2016, 2020). Won his 2024 re-election against Gerald Malloy (R) by a wide margin. His term ends January 3, 2031.
Peter Welch (D)
Elected to the Senate in 2022 after Patrick Leahy (Vermont's senator since 1975) retired. Welch previously served in the US House (VT-at-large, 2007–2023). A progressive Democrat who co-founded the Congressional Progressive Caucus during his House tenure. His term ends January 3, 2029, and he will next face voters in 2028.
Historical Results — Vermont Class 1 Seat (Sanders / Jeffords)
Historical Results — Vermont Class 3 Seat (Welch / Leahy)
Vermont’s Political Identity
Vermont attempted to implement single-payer healthcare and remains the most committed state to universal coverage. The Sanders legacy on Medicare for All defines local Democratic politics.
Vermont’s dairy economy and environmental consciousness make climate policy and agricultural support central issues. Extreme weather flooding has been particularly damaging in recent years.
Vermont is uniquely permissive on gun ownership (no permit to carry, strong hunting culture) while voting heavily Democratic on every other issue — a state-specific pattern that national party frames miss entirely.
Vermont has repeatedly elected moderate Republican governors (Phil Scott, re-elected multiple times) while voting overwhelmingly Democratic for Senate and president — reflecting a pragmatic, candidate-focused electorate.
Video: Vermont Senate Debate — Sanders vs. Malloy (2024)
Vermont Public — General election debate between Bernie Sanders (I) and Gerald Malloy (R) ahead of the November 2024 Vermont Senate election. Source: Vermont Public.
2026 Senate Race Context & National Outlook
The 2026 midterm elections are taking place in an environment shaped by significant economic uncertainty. Trump's Liberation Day tariffs triggered a consumer confidence collapse and PCE inflation surged to 4.5% in Q1 2026. The Trump approval rating stands at 38.1% approve / 59.2% disapprove — among the lowest for any first-year president since modern polling began. The Generic Ballot shows Democrats with a consistent +6.0 advantage, a historically predictive indicator of significant House seat gains.
In the Senate, 33 Class 2 seats are up in 2026. Republicans must defend seats in Georgia, Iowa, North Carolina, Alaska, and Texas, while Democrats defend Nevada, New Hampshire, Michigan, Minnesota, and Virginia. Key battleground races that will determine Senate control include Georgia (Jon Ossoff, D), Iowa (open seat, Ernst retires), Nevada (Jacky Rosen, D), and Alaska (Lisa Murkowski, R). The full Senate map is at the Senate 2026 overview.
Issue-level polling context: The top issues driving 2026 are the economy and tariffs, healthcare, immigration, and Social Security. See the Battleground Tracker for the latest state-level polling and the Trump Policy Tracker for executive action context.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Vermont have a Senate election in 2026?
No. Vermont has no Senate election in 2026. Vermont holds Class 1 (Sanders) and Class 3 (Welch) seats — neither is a Class 2 seat. The next Vermont Senate elections are in 2028 (Welch, Class 3) and 2030 (Sanders, Class 1).
Is Bernie Sanders retiring from the Senate?
No. Sanders won his fourth full Senate term in November 2024 by a wide margin. His current term runs through January 3, 2031. He will not face re-election again until 2030.
Who are Vermont's two US senators in 2026?
Bernie Sanders (I, Class 1, won 2024, term ends 2031) and Peter Welch (D, Class 3, elected 2022, term ends 2029). Both caucus with Senate Democrats. Vermont has never elected a Republican senator since Jim Jeffords in 2000 — and Jeffords famously left the Republican Party in May 2001.
When will Peter Welch next face re-election?
Peter Welch (D-VT) faces re-election in 2028. He holds the Class 3 seat formerly held by Patrick Leahy, who served from 1975 to 2023. Welch won the 2022 open seat by over 40 points.
