In a history-making vote Tuesday, Vermont Democrats chose Becca Balint as their nominee for the state’s only seat in the U.S.
House of Representatives — and Balint, a lesbian, would be the first woman and first out member of the LGBTQ+ community to represent the state in that body.Balint prevailed over Lt.
Gov. Molly Gray in the Democratic primary, and she’ll face Republican Liam Madden in November — but the state is solidly Democratic.Balint, one of The Advocate’s 2021 Champions of Pride, is currently president pro tempore of the Vermont State Senate, the first woman and first out LGBTQ+ person to hold that post.
The congressional seat opened up with U.S. Rep. Peter Welch’s decision to run for U.S. Senate, as Sen. Patrick Leahy is retiring.