Reps. Stevens, Wood win re-election in Washington-Chittenden district

November 4, 2020  |  By Lisa Scagliotti 

State Reps. Tom Stevens and Theresa Wood stop by Thatcher Brook Primary School Tuesday. The pair won re-election to represent Waterbury, Huntington, Bolton and Buels Gore. Photo by Susan Clark.

Incumbent Democratic state Reps. Theresa Wood and Tom Stevens won re-election Tuesday in a four-way race to represent the Washington-Chittenden district.

Wood and Stevens handily won in their hometown of Waterbury in Washington County as well as in the Chittenden County communities of Huntington and Bolton. 

According to results reported by town clerks in all three towns, Wood was the top vote-getter with 40% or 3,751 votes; Stevens was next with 33% which was 3,133 votes. 

Independent challenger Chris Viens, a Waterbury Select Board member since 2012, received 1,417 votes or 15%, and Republican newcomer Brock Coderre received 1,188 votes or 12.5%.

Viens came in third in Waterbury but Coderre bested Viens in Huntington and Bolton. 

The district also includes the tiny hamlet of Buels Gore with a population of approximately 30 residents. The vote total there was unavailable Tuesday evening. 

Turnout in all three towns was high: 83% in Huntington, 77% in Waterbury, 76% in Bolton, according to the town clerks. 

This election was for Stevens’ seventh term. “I’m very grateful for the support I received from the voters. As always it’s a question going into election day, but gratifying to know I’ve been re-elected and chosen by my constituents to continue to work for them.”

This will be the third term for Wood, who said she was happy this election cycle is finished. “Hopefully things can heal and mend from here,” Wood said. “I appreciate the responsibility people have entrusted me with and look forward to serving everyone in the district in Montpelier.”

Wood referenced the recent controversy in the race involving Viens who came under fire in Waterbury two weeks ahead of Election Day for suggesting police be “segretated” with minority officers directed to respond to calls involving non-white citizens. Presented with a petition with more than 450 signatures calling for his resignation from the Waterbury Select Board, Viens on Monday announced he would step down as chair and participate in anti-racism education. 

Coderre late Tuesday said he enjoyed the experience of running for office for the first time: “I had an unbelievable amount of fun meeting so many neighbors. I've gained an invaluable amount of knowledge from countless conversations about topics like local history, business, and general way of life. Enjoyably, just about every single person I met was incredibly kind. We want the same things, even if we didn't agree on how to get there.”

Viens Wednesday morning offered his congratulations to Wood and Stevens on their re-election. "And thank you to those who supported me," he said in a message to the Waterbury Roundabout. "I will be glad to just be able to focus on my family now."