OPINION | This article contains commentary that reflects the author's opinion.
Longtime Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont has announced that he will not seek reelection.
81-year-old Leahy, who is the longest-serving sitting senator, took office in 1975 and is now retiring from the Senate.
“I have reached the conclusion that it’s time to put down the gavel,” Leahy said.
“It is time to pass a torch to the next Vermonter who will carry on this work for our great state. It’s time to come home.”
Republican Governor Phil Scott of Vermont considers Leahy a friend and praised him as “an incredible champion for Vermonters.”
Scott has refused to launch a GOP challenge against Leahy due to their friendship.
However, since longtime senator retiring, Fox News reports that it’s “unclear if Scott would considering launching a Senate bid.”
Scott has also been “a frequent critic of former President Donald Trump,” Fox News added.
Sen. Leahy has committed his life to serving the people of VT and he will be missed as one of our voices in Washington. He has made immeasurable contributions to our state and nation, and nobody is more deserving of a long and happy retirement than the Senator and Marcelle. 1/2
— Governor Phil Scott (@GovPhilScott) November 15, 2021
A handful of Vermont Democrats will reportedly seek to succeed him.
This includes Rep. Peter Welch, Vermont Senate President pro tem Becca Balint, state Sen. Kesha Ram Hinsdale, and Lt. Gov. Molly Gray.
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Prior to Leahy’s announcement, no Republican had launched a 2022 bid for the Senate in the blue state of Vermont, which now-President Biden carried by 35 points last November and Leahy won reelection in 2016 by 28 points.
With Leahy’s announcement, there are only two senators up for reelection in 2022 who have yet to say whether they’ll seek another term. They are Republican Sens. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin and John Thune of South Dakota.
In September, 88-year old GOP Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa announced that he would run for reelection next year for an eighth term in the Senate.
Leahy has often been in the national spotlight during his tenure in the Senate, most recently in February as he presided over the second impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump.
Republican Sen. Richard Shelby of Alabama, who announced in February that he would retire after four decades in Congress, praised Leahy.
“Over the past 47 years, Chairman Leahy has had a remarkable career in the Senate. As chairman of the Appropriations, Judiciary, and Agriculture committees and president pro tempore of the Senate, Pat has served Vermont well and with honor. His devotion to our nation and his state merits praise,” the 87-year old Shelby wrote.” I thank Pat for his friendship and wish he and his wife, Marcelle, all the best.”
