Brattleboro House districts stay blue

Voters in Windham-7 and Windham-8 kept both House seats in Democratic hands on Tuesday.

Voters in Windham-7 and Windham-8 kept both House seats in Democratic hands on Tuesday, sending former Brattleboro Select Board member Daniel Quipp to Montpelier and returning Rep. Emilie Kornheiser to the Vermont House.

At the Stone Church, where Democrats gathered later in the evening, Kornheiser and other candidates learned their results. The celebration included a brass band and disco ball, and Kornheiser told supporters that the atmosphere felt electric.

According to Vermont Public, Kornheiser secured 75.8 percent of the vote, with 1,303 ballots. Quipp finished with 86 percent, or 1,472 votes. On stage, Quipp described serving in the Vermont House as the greatest honor of his life.

The day’s voting at American Legion Post 5 moved steadily, with residents arriving by car and on foot throughout the day. Campaign volunteers and candidates from several parties lined the green outside, waving signs and speaking with voters under dry, mild weather.

Both Kornheiser and Quipp said they noticed strong interest in the governor’s race, in which Democratic challenger Amanda Janoo faced incumbent Republican Gov. Phil Scott. Kornheiser said many voters seemed energized by the possibility of change, and she pointed to Brattleboro’s roughly 35 percent early-voting rate as evidence of that mood.

Quipp said Windham County often supports Democrats, but also gives significant backing to Phil Scott. He added that Scott had not been a collaborative partner for the legislature.

Kornheiser said the polls’ 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. schedule made for a lengthy day, but she intended to remain until sunset because the election mattered to her.

Quipp, who spent six years on the Brattleboro Select Board, said the town has a highly engaged political culture and that residents want direct contact with candidates. He said many people are active in organizing and participating in civic life.

Looking ahead, Quipp said he hoped to learn from lawmakers in Montpelier and work on statewide problems tied to affordability, especially housing, healthcare and education. He also said Brattleboro shares concerns common in other larger Vermont communities, including drug use and trafficking, and he hoped to collaborate with leaders from Newport, Rutland, Bennington and elsewhere on solutions.

Quipp won the seat formerly held by Rep. Mollie Burke (D), defeating Bill Harvey, a retired salesman and vice chairman of the town Republican committee. Kornheiser defeated Aaron Smith, a business owner and treasurer of the Republican Town Committee.