The blue wave crashed over every Republican breakwall just about everywhere. Nationally, the Democrats are on track to win lopsided majorities in both houses of Congress and are picking up governorships by the bushel. I’m old enough to have voted in the 1974 post-Watergate wave election; 2026 is on track to be a better night for Democrats.

Here in Vermont, only Gov. Phil Scott survived. He won by a seven-point margin over Democrat Amanda Janoo, but he will be a severely weakened force heading into his sixth (and presumably final) term. His reputed successor, Lt. Gov. John Rodgers, got literally and figuratively mollywhopped and will not be returning to Montpelier.

The big thing for Vermont is that the combined Democratic/Progressive caucuses will hold supermajorities in the House and Senate. We’re looking at a complete reversal of the 2024 Republican advance — and maybe even more.

Quite a few legislative races have yet to be called, but here’s where things stand as of right now. In the Senate, the Democrats have won 19 seats and have a solid lead in a 20th (Orange). Progressive Sen. Tanya Vyhovsky will caucus with them, so that’s 21 seats. Independent Dave Wolk picked off a seat in formerly deep red Rutland, sending *alleged* daughter-puncher Sen. Terry Williams to the showers. Wolk is a former Democratic senator, so he might be expected to caucus with the Democrats.

As for Senate Republicans… they only have seven wins, plus Minority Leader Scott Beck has a narrow lead over Democrat David Roth,so they might end up with eight.

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