5 candidates are tracked for Vermont Senate, Bennington District on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Seth Bongartz, Robert F. Plunkett, Rachel Shaw, Lawrence "Spike" Whitmire and Josh R. Williams. Candidate information follows official Bennington County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
Seth Bongartz (Democratic), Robert F. Plunkett (Democratic), Rachel Shaw (Progressive), Lawrence "Spike" Whitmire (Republican), Josh R. Williams (Republican) are on the November 3 ballot for Vermont Senate, Bennington District; Seth Bongartz, Robert F. Plunkett are sitting members, per the Vermont Senate's official member directory (legislature.vermont.gov). This is a two-seat district: voters choose up to two candidates, and the top two finishers are elected. Source: the Vermont Secretary of State's general election qualified-candidates list dated August 27, 2026.
State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.
This race. Voters choose 2; the top 2 finishers win seats. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. Sitting officeholders on the ballot: Seth Bongartz, Robert F. Plunkett.
Vermont › Bennington County › Vermont Senate, Bennington District
Democratic Incumbent
Seth Bongartz is the incumbent Vermont state senator for the Bennington District, according to the Vermont General Assembly's 2026 member roster. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's candidate list is the only verifiable source for Seth Bongartz.
Democratic Incumbent
Robert F. Plunkett is the incumbent Vermont state senator for the Bennington District, according to the Vermont General Assembly's 2026 member roster. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's candidate list is the only verifiable source for Robert F. Plunkett.
Progressive
Rachel Shaw is a construction business owner who served in the Massachusetts Army National Guard as a combat engineer and worked in hazardous-materials spill response before moving to Bennington in 2023, per the Bennington Banner. No campaign website was found as of September 11, 2026; the Secretary of State's candidate list is the only verifiable source for Rachel Shaw.
Republican
Per the campaign site.
Lawrence "Spike" Whitmire has worked in real estate and construction in Bennington County for more than 30 years and serves as board president of a local independent school, per his campaign site.
Republican
Per the campaign site.
Williams has worked as a police officer, firefighter, EMT and search and rescue coordinator, and later served as an EMS executive director managing his region's response during the COVID-19 pandemic, per the campaign site. He moved to Vermont 18 years ago and owns the Land Rover Experience in Manchester and a lodge near Magic Mountain, per the campaign site. He lives with Type 1 diabetes, which he says shapes his focus on healthcare policy, per the campaign site.
Who is running for Vermont Senate, Bennington District in 2026?
5 candidates are tracked for Vermont Senate, Bennington District on the November 3, 2026 ballot: Seth Bongartz, Robert F. Plunkett, Rachel Shaw, Lawrence "Spike" Whitmire and Josh R. Williams. Candidate information follows official Bennington County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.
When is the Vermont Senate, Bennington District election in Vermont?
Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Vermont are on the Vermont election hub at theballotbrief.com.
How do I see my exact Bennington County ballot?
Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.
Candidate roster from official Bennington County and state election office filings, last verified October 1, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.
Cross-check with the official Vermont election office, or see the full Bennington County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.
14 tracked races in Bennington County, Vermont. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.