In a virtual meeting yesterday, the Vermont Senate Democratic caucus unanimously nominated State Senator Becca Balint to be the upper chamber’s next pro tempore. This means that Sen. Balint will become both the first woman and first openly gay person to preside over the state senate in the absence of the lieutenant governor. Balint, of Windham, is currently the senate majority leader.
On Sunday, the caucus also nominated all women to the upcoming senate’s top leadership roles, choosing Sen. Alison Clarkson as new majority leader. And with an overwhelming Democratic majority in the coming term, these nominations will stand, according to a report today in VT Digger.
“I’m really honored to work on behalf of all of you and all Vermonters,” Balint said, as VT Digger reports. “I’ll work hard, as hard as I can, to build a strong team within the Senate, one that values the skills and the experiences we each bring.”
According to VT Digger:
Statehouse leadership took shape Sunday, just over a month before the next legislative session begins. Senate Democrats also chose the third member of the powerful three-person Committee on Committees that decides who will chair policy committees for the next two years.
The Democratic caucus also chose Sen. Cheryl Hooker, D/P-Rutland, as the assistant majority leader — the caucus whip.
Sen. Dick Mazza, D-Grand Isle, will return to his role as the third member of the Committee on Committees, which sets the state of play for the upper chamber — including decisions about who will chair committees.
Mazza joins Balint and Lt. Gov.-elect Molly Gray on the panel.
Balint and Gray replace Lt. Gov. David Zuckerman and Senate leader Tim Ashe who leave office at the end of the year. Clarkson takes over the reins of majority leader from Balint.
When Gray is sworn in in January, she will be the fourth woman to serve as lieutenant governor. Balint will be the first woman and the first openly gay person to hold the pro tem position in Vermont’s history.
“With all due respect to Sen. Dick Mazza, I’m really excited about the fact that our Senate leadership is primarily made up of women these days and I expect the same will be true in the House of Representatives, as well as in the lieutenant governor’s office,” said Sen. Anthony Pollina, P/D-Washington.
“It’s really a new day and a new form of leadership,” Pollina said.
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