Joe Benning
Joe Benning (Republican Party) was a member of the Vermont State Senate, representing Caledonia District. He assumed office in 2011. He left office on January 4, 2023.
Benning (Republican Party) ran for election for Lieutenant Governor of Vermont. He lost in the general election on November 8, 2022.
Biography
Benning obtained a B.A. in social studies from Lyndon State College and a J.D. from the Vermont Law School.
Before his election, Benning was a private practice attorney and a partner at Bertolini, Benning, and Glinka. He is also a justice of the peace, a member of the Lyndon Town School Board, a town agent for Lyndon and a village agent for Lyndonville.
Committee assignments
2023-2024
Benning was assigned to the following committees:
- Ethics Committee, Chair
- Institutions Committee, Chair
- Senate Judiciary Committee
- Sexual Harassment Panel, Vice Chair
2021-2022
Benning was assigned to the following committees:
- Canvassing Committee
- Judicial Retention Committee
- Judicial Rules Committee
- Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules
- Legislative Management Committee
- Ethics Committee, Chair
- Institutions Committee, Chair
- Senate Judiciary Committee
- Sexual Harassment Panel, Vice chair
2019-2020
Benning was assigned to the following committees:
- Legislative Committee on Administrative Rules
- Judicial Rules Committee
- Judicial Retention Committee, Clerk
- Legislative Management Committee
- Joint Rules Committee
- Ethics Committee, Chair
- Senate Judiciary Committee
- Institutions Committee, Chair
- Senate Rules Committee
- Sexual Harassment Panel, Vice Chair
- Canvassing Committee
2017 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:
Vermont committee assignments, 2017 |
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• Education |
• Judiciary, Vice chair |
• Administrative Rules |
• Judicial Retention |
• Judicial Rules |
• Ethics, Chair |
2015 legislative session
At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Benning served on the following committees:
Vermont committee assignments, 2015 |
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• Government Operations |
• Judiciary, Vice-Chair |
• Judicial Retention |
• Judicial Rules, Vice-Chair |
• Joint Rules |
2013-2014
In the 2013-2014 legislative session, Benning served on the following committees:
Vermont committee assignments, 2013 |
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• Institutions |
• Judiciary, Vice chair |
• Rules |
• Judicial Retention |
• Rules |
2011-2012
In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Benning served on these committees:
Vermont committee assignments, 2011 |
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• Institutions |
• Judicial Retention |
• Natural Resources and Energy |
Sponsored legislation
The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.
Elections
2022
See also: Vermont lieutenant gubernatorial election, 2022
General election
General election for Lieutenant Governor of Vermont
David Zuckerman defeated Joe Benning and Ian Diamondstone in the general election for Lieutenant Governor of Vermont on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | David Zuckerman (Vermont Progressive Party / D) | 53.9 | 150,102 | |
Joe Benning (R) | 42.6 | 118,724 | ||
Ian Diamondstone (Green Mountain Peace and Justice Party of Vermont) | 2.9 | 8,159 | ||
Other/Write-in votes | 0.6 | 1,738 |
Total votes: 278,723 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Vermont
David Zuckerman defeated Kitty Toll, Patricia Preston, and Charlie Kimbell in the Democratic primary for Lieutenant Governor of Vermont on August 9, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | David Zuckerman | 43.7 | 42,564 | |
Kitty Toll | 38.9 | 37,868 | ||
Patricia Preston | 9.6 | 9,326 | ||
Charlie Kimbell | 7.4 | 7,253 | ||
Other/Write-in votes | 0.4 | 354 |
Total votes: 97,365 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of Vermont
Joe Benning defeated Gregory Thayer in the Republican primary for Lieutenant Governor of Vermont on August 9, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Joe Benning | 53.5 | 14,679 | |
Gregory Thayer | 44.4 | 12,188 | ||
Other/Write-in votes | 2.0 | 561 |
Total votes: 27,428 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Vermont Progressive Party primary election
No Vermont Progressive Party candidates ran in the primary.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Cindy Weed (Vermont Progressive Party)
2020
See also: Vermont State Senate elections, 2020
General election
General election for Vermont State Senate Caledonia District (2 seats)
Incumbent Jane Kitchel and incumbent Joe Benning defeated Matthew Choate, Charles Wilson, and JT Dodge in the general election for Vermont State Senate Caledonia District on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Jane Kitchel (D) | 29.8 | 10,285 | |
✔ | Joe Benning (R) | 29.1 | 10,057 | |
Matthew Choate (D) | 21.2 | 7,342 | ||
Charles Wilson (R) | 16.1 | 5,558 | ||
JT Dodge (L) | 3.6 | 1,255 | ||
Other/Write-in votes | 0.2 | 62 |
Total votes: 34,559 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Vermont State Senate Caledonia District (2 seats)
Incumbent Jane Kitchel and Matthew Choate advanced from the Democratic primary for Vermont State Senate Caledonia District on August 11, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Jane Kitchel | 58.3 | 4,218 | |
✔ | Matthew Choate | 40.5 | 2,930 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 1.2 | 88 |
Total votes: 7,236 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Vermont State Senate Caledonia District (2 seats)
Incumbent Joe Benning and Charles Wilson advanced from the Republican primary for Vermont State Senate Caledonia District on August 11, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Joe Benning | 58.2 | 3,044 | |
✔ | Charles Wilson | 39.2 | 2,049 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 2.5 | 133 |
Total votes: 5,226 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Vermont Progressive Party primary election
No Vermont Progressive Party candidates ran in the primary.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Bill Coleman (Vermont Progressive Party)
2018
- See also: Vermont State Senate elections, 2018
In addition to running as a Republican Party candidate, Benning cross-filed to also run with the Democratic Party in 2018.
General election
General election for Vermont State Senate Caledonia District (2 seats)
Incumbent Jane Kitchel and incumbent Joe Benning won election in the general election for Vermont State Senate Caledonia District on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Jane Kitchel (D) | 52.3 | 10,967 | |
✔ | Joe Benning (R) | 46.9 | 9,818 | |
Other/Write-in votes | 0.8 | 167 |
Total votes: 20,952 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Vermont State Senate Caledonia District (2 seats)
Incumbent Jane Kitchel advanced from the Democratic primary for Vermont State Senate Caledonia District on August 14, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Jane Kitchel | 100.0 | 2,681 |
Total votes: 2,681 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Republican primary election
Republican primary for Vermont State Senate Caledonia District (2 seats)
Incumbent Joe Benning advanced from the Republican primary for Vermont State Senate Caledonia District on August 14, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
✔ | Joe Benning | 100.0 | 2,169 |
Total votes: 2,169 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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2016
- See also: Vermont State Senate elections, 2016
Elections for the Vermont State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 9, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was May 26, 2016.
Incumbent Jane Kitchel and incumbent Joe Benning defeated Galen Dively III in the Vermont State Senate Caledonia District general election.[1][2]
Vermont State Senate, Caledonia District General Election, 2016 | ||||
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Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
Democratic | Jane Kitchel Incumbent | 48.12% | 12,383 | |
Republican | Joe Benning Incumbent | 42.39% | 10,908 | |
Marijuana | Galen Dively III | 9.49% | 2,443 | |
Total Votes | 25,734 | |||
Source: Vermont Secretary of State |
Incumbent Jane Kitchel ran unopposed in the Vermont State Senate Caledonia District Democratic primary.[3][4]
Vermont State Senate, Caledonia District Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||
---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | |
Democratic | Jane Kitchel Incumbent (unopposed) |
Incumbent Joe Benning ran unopposed in the Vermont State Senate Caledonia District Republican primary.[3][4]
Vermont State Senate, Caledonia District Republican Primary, 2016 | ||
---|---|---|
Party | Candidate | |
Republican | Joe Benning Incumbent (unopposed) |
2014
- See also: Vermont State Senate elections, 2014
Elections for the Vermont State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 26, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 12, 2014. Caledonia has two state senators. Incumbent Jane Kitchel and Mike Heath were unopposed in the Democratic primary, while incumbent Joe Benning was unopposed in the Republican primary. Kitchel and Heath defeated Benning in the general election.[5]
Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Jane Kitchel* Incumbent | 44.9% | 7,786 | |
Republican | Joe Benning Incumbent | 35.5% | 6,149 | |
Democratic | Mike Heath | 19.6% | 3,390 | |
Total Votes | 17,325 |
*Kitchell appeared on the ballot as both a Democrat and a Republican.
2012
- See also: Vermont State Senate elections, 2012
Benning won re-election in the 2012 election for Vermont State Senate Caledonia District. Benning was unopposed in the August 28 Republican primary and won re-election in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[6]
2010
- See also: Vermont State Senate elections, 2010
Benning ran for election to the 6th District Seat (Caledonia District) in 2010. He ran against Charlie Bucknam in the primary. He defeated Charlie Bucknam (R), Matthew Choate (D), and Harvey Otterman (I) in the general election on November 2, 2010.[6]
Campaign themes
2022
Ballotpedia survey responses
See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection
Joe Benning did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign website
Benning's campaign website stated the following:
“ |
I will be a voice of reason in Montpelier What defines my campaign: We are all better when we work together in respect and common purpose. We are all Vermonters first, and the shared ground of that foundation comes before any party label. I think we all want to see us get back to a place where we can talk to each other, and approach our issues as a state together from a place of trust and good faith. I know that I will have to work hard to gain your trust, and your vote, and I am committed to doing so. Our state is stronger when we all work together, and talk to each other. I can work to bring Vermonters together with lawmakers and the Governor to promote Vermont's economy and vital interests. I've worked with Gov. Scott for 12 years while serving in the Vermont Senate, including as Minority Leader, and I know his team. I have a wealth of experience serving in the Vermont Senate, working across the aisle to get things done for Vermonters. On the campaign trail, I've talked a lot about what it means to me to be a moderate Vermont Republican. I know there are many here in our state, on both sides of the aisle, who are tired of the vitriol and rhetoric of the national parties, and who may feel apprehensive about the current state of my party across the country. In the past, and during this campaign, I have firmly denounced certain actions committed by anti-democratic or authoritarian elements within my party, including the attack on the US Capitol Building on January 6th, 2021. I will be an advocate for all Vermonters, and work tirelessly to bring down the cost of living across the state. Together, we will address the housing crisis and work to make Vermont more affordable. Throughout my campaign, I have focused on Five Core Principles that, regardless of which side of the aisle you're on, we can all agree on: Individual Liberty Personal Responsibility Strong Educational System Limited Government Free Enterprise These core principles, bound together by the bedrock of our Constitution, are the cornerstone of my campaign. These are the principles that have defined my 12 years in the Vermont Senate, and these are the principles that define my campaign to be Vermont's next Lt. Governor. I will work hard every day to promote Vermont. I will be a bridge between Vermonters, lawmakers, and the Governor's team, and focus on ending the affordability and housing crises facing Vermonters today. Together, Gov. Scott and I will get things done for the people of Vermont.[7] |
” |
—Joe Benning's campaign website (2022)[8] |
2020
Joe Benning did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.
Campaign finance summary
Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.
Scorecards
A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.
Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.
Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Vermont scorecards, email suggestions to [email protected].
2022
In 2022, the Vermont State Legislature was in session from January 4 to May 12.
- Legislators are scored based on their voting records on environmental issues.
- Legislators are scored by VPIRG on bills related to public interest issues.
2021
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, the Vermont State Legislature was in session from January 6 to May 21.
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2020
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, the Vermont State Legislature was in session from January 7 to August 30. The session was in recess after June 26 and reconvened August 25 to September 25.
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2019
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, the Vermont General Assembly was in session from January 9 through May 29.
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2018
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the Vermont General Assembly was in session from January 3 through May 13. There was also a special session from May 23 through June 29.
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2017
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the Vermont General Assembly was in session from January 4 through May 18. There was also a veto session June 21.
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2016
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show]. |
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In 2016, the Vermont General Assembly was in session from January 5 through May 6.
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2015
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show]. |
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In 2015, the Vermont General Assembly was in session from January 7 through May 16.
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2014
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show]. |
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In 2014, the Vermont General Assembly was in session from January 7 to May 10.
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2013
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show]. |
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In 2013, the Vermont General Assembly was in session from January 9 to May 14.
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2012
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show]. |
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In 2012, the Vermont General Assembly was in session from January 3 to May 5.
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2011
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2011, click [show]. |
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In 2011, the Vermont General Assembly was in session from January 5 through mid May.
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Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Benning and his wife, Debbie, have two children.
See also
2022 Elections
External links
Candidate Lieutenant Governor of Vermont |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Vermont Secretary of State, "Candidate listings," accessed November 4, 2016
- ↑ Vermont Secretary of State, "2016 general election results," accessed November 28, 2016
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Vermont Secretary of State, "Qualified candidates for the statewide primary - August 9, 2016," accessed May 26, 2016
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Vermont Secretary of State, "Vermont Election Night Results," accessed August 9, 2016
- ↑ Vermont Secretary of State, "2014 Candidate Listing," June 13, 2014
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 Vermont Secretary of State, "Election Results Search," accessed April 22, 2014
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Joe Benning for Lt. Governor, “Meet Joe Benning,” accessed October 20, 2022
Political offices | ||
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Preceded by - |
Vermont State Senate Caledonia District 2011-2023 |
Succeeded by - |
State of Vermont Montpelier (capital) | |
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