Vermont Public is independent, community-supported media, serving Vermont with trusted, relevant and essential information. We share stories that bring people together, from every corner of our region. New to Vermont Public? Start here.

© 2025 Vermont Public | 365 Troy Ave. Colchester, VT 05446

Public Files:
WVTI · WOXM · WVBA · WVNK · WVTQ
WVPR · WRVT · WOXR · WNCH · WVPA
WVPS · WVXR · WETK · WVTB · WVER
WVER-FM · WVLR-FM · WBTN-FM

For assistance accessing our public files, please contact hello@vermontpublic.org or call 802-655-9451.
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Phil Baruth faces a Republican challenge for top spot in the Vermont Senate

 A man stands in the Vermont Senate chamber
Lia Chien
/
Vermont Public File
Five-term Franklin County Sen. Randy Brock, seen here on the Senate floor in 2023, says he wants to give the GOP more influence over the legislative process in Montpelier.

Franklin County Sen. Randy Brock will be challenging Democrat Phil Baruth for the top leadership post in the Vermont Senate.

Brock, a five-term Republican who served as Senate Minority Leader last year, said the GOP has gotten short shrift from Baruth when it comes to key committee assignments in the state senate. He said the lack of any Republicans on the Senate Committee on Natural Resources last year, for instance, was especially problematic.

“That effectively shut the minority from being able to effectively discuss in the committee setting the issues that were so critical to Vermont, and for the whole issue of housing and dealing with this crisis,” Brock told Vermont Public on Friday. “I think that we would have a better result if we had a more inclusive approach.”

Republicans picked up six seats in the Vermont Senate on Election Day and will have 13 seats in that chamber during the upcoming legislative biennium. Incoming Senate Minority Leader Scott Beck said Brock will have the GOP caucus’ full support when the body votes for its next pro tem on Wednesday.

That means Brock will likely need at least three votes from Democrats in order to unseat Baruth. In the event of a 15-15 tie, the lieutenant governor will cast the deciding vote. But that vote will take place before Republican Lt. Gov.-elect John Rodgers is sworn in, meaning incumbent Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman, a Progressive/Democrat, would serve as the tiebreaker.

Baruth told Vermont Public Friday that if he’s reelected as pro tem, Republicans’ newfound strength will be reflected in committee assignments.

A photo of a man in a grey suit with a blue shirt and glasses, who is speaking in front of a painting of another man.
Zoe McDonald
/
Vermont Public
Senate President Pro Tem Phil Baruth, a Democrat, says Republicans' historic gains on Election Day will be reflected in committee assignments if he's reelected to the Senate's top leadership post.

“In working with the Committee on Committees currently, I’ve tried to offer Republicans what I consider a generous share of power in the chamber given their new numbers,” Baruth said.

The Committee on Committees is the three-person panel — it includes the pro tem, lieutenant governor and an at-large member — responsible for making committee assignments.

Baruth said that, given the results of the presidential election, it would be unwise for Democrats to cede the reins of a state legislative body to a member of the Republican minority.

“Vermonters are looking to us, especially certain communities of Vermonters, for protection,” Baruth said. “And what Randy is asking is that Democrats voluntarily … give over control to the Republican Party. And I just can’t see that happening."

Have questions, comments or tips? Send us a message.

_

The Vermont Statehouse is often called the people’s house. I am your eyes and ears there. I keep a close eye on how legislation could affect your life; I also regularly speak to the people who write that legislation.
Latest Stories