Joe Benning
Joe Benning
Vermont Republican Governor nominee?
$39.1K
AUG 12, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Overview
Current roleFormer State Senator
PartyRepublican
Political ideologyConservative Republican
Age69 years old (Dec 7, 1956)
GenderMale
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LocationVermont
BackgroundAttorney (trial lawyer)
EducationMater Dei High School (New Monmouth, New Jersey) (1975)
Notable personal detailsJoseph Charles Benning is an American attorney and Republican politician in Vermont. He served in the Vermont Senate representing the Caledonia District from 2011 to 2023 and was Vermont Senate Minority Leader in two periods (2013–2017 and 2018–2021). Benning has served as chair of Vermont's Human Rights Commission and has been active in civic organizations in Lyndonville.
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Positions
Economy & Taxes
Joe Benning has opposed multiple state tax increases and new payroll or minimum-wage–style taxes and argues for limiting government spending and dependency on state programs. His record shows votes against bills that raised or expanded taxes and skepticism about raising taxes on high-income Vermonters without clear revenue estimates.
Healthcare
Joe Benning has publicly opposed Vermont’s single‑payer/universal health proposals and has criticized estimated state costs for a government‑run program; his legislative record includes votes and actions against broad state health‑system expansions. His statements and votes indicate preference for rejecting single‑payer approaches rather than pursuing major public financing expansions.
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Immigration & Border
Supports limiting state and local participation in federal immigration enforcement and backed statewide legislation framed as protecting Vermont values and immigrant protections; has asked for more review on immigrant-juvenile protections. Does not appear to advocate broad deportation or restrictionist border militarization.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
Joe Benning has publicly supported protecting reproductive rights, saying he has always supported Roe v. Wade and voting in favor of Proposal 5 (the Vermont Reproductive Liberty Amendment) that codified reproductive rights. His legislative votes include support for measures to preserve abortion rights in Vermont.
Climate & Energy
Opposes aggressive state-level mandates and regulations like Vermont’s Clean Heat Standard and the Global Warming Solutions Act, arguing such policies raise costs for Vermonters and should be addressed at the national level. Supports deployment of renewables such as solar and hydro and is open to advanced nuclear, while opposing industrial-scale wind developments and ‘‘one-size-fits-all’’ mandates. Emphasizes protecting the environment without imposing policies that he says would hurt the state economy or vulnerable households.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate opposes expanded gun restrictions such as universal background checks, waiting periods, and mandatory safe-storage requirements, and has voted against legislation that would ban firearms in certain "sensitive places." He has sponsored/supported measures to allow some law-enforcement or related officers to carry firearms while on duty. Overall his record favors protecting gun rights and resisting new regulatory limits.
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We're monitoring and will update when new data impacts the race.
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