Orange County, Vermont

Vermont Senate, Orange District

2 candidates are tracked for Vermont Senate, Orange District on the November 3, 2026 ballot: John K. Benson and Monique Priestley. Candidate information follows official Orange County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

John K. Benson (Republican), Monique Priestley (Democratic/Progressive) are on the November 3 ballot for Vermont Senate, Orange District; John K. Benson is the sitting member, per the Vermont Senate's official member directory (legislature.vermont.gov). Not on the November ballot: Larry Hart, the sitting member for the district per the same directory. Source: the Vermont Secretary of State's general election qualified-candidates list dated August 27, 2026.

What this office does

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. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, John K. Benson, is on the ballot.

Vermont › Orange County › Vermont Senate, Orange District

John K. Benson

Republican Incumbent

Top priorities

Returning to fiscal prudence to address affordability for Vermonters

Per VTDigger.

Biography

John K. Benson is a professional engineer and retired managing partner at the engineering firm DuBois & King who chairs the Brookfield Selectboard, according to VTDigger. Governor Phil Scott appointed him to the Orange County Senate seat in January 2026 to fill a vacancy, per the governor's office. Benson. No campaign website was found as of September 25, 2026.

Monique Priestley

Democratic/Progressive

Top priorities

Support rural economic development and strengthen rural voices in state government
Advance consumer protections on data privacy and software safety as artificial intelligence expands
Address affordability and housing while supporting entrepreneurship and the future of work

Per the campaign site.

Biography

Priestley has represented Orange-2 in the Vermont House since her first election in November 2022, with a background in technology, economic development and community engagement, per the campaign site. She has more than a decade of experience working in Vermont communities, per the campaign site.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)

Next on your ballotVermont House, Orange-1 District

See your full ballot

Voting info and more

Questions about this race

Who is running for Vermont Senate, Orange District in 2026?

When is the Vermont Senate, Orange 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 Orange 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.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Orange 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 Orange County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Orange County ballot

14 tracked races in Orange County, Vermont. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot

Vermont House, Orange-2 District Vermont House, Orange-3 District Vermont House, Orange-Caledonia District See all 14 Orange County races

Candidate profiles

John K. Benson, full profile Monique Priestley, full profile Official Vermont election office