Peter Welch is a Democratic senator from Vermont, elected in 2022 to succeed longtime Sen. Patrick Leahy. Before that, he represented Vermont’s at-large House seat from 2007 to 2023.
Born May 2, 1947, in Springfield, Massachusetts, Welch earned both his B.A. and J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley. He moved to Vermont in the 1970s, working as an attorney and organizer before entering state politics. He rose to president pro tempore of the Vermont Senate.
In Congress, Welch has focused on climate action, broadband access for rural communities, prescription drug affordability, and protecting democratic institutions. Stylistically, he’s calm, lawyerly, and very Vermont: progressive, but not performative.
Progressive
Achievements
- Secured funding for rural broadband expansion and clean energy projects in Vermont
- Pushed measures to lower prescription drug costs and expand healthcare access
- Strong advocate for voting rights protections and campaign finance transparency
- Worked on mental health, veteran services, and housing stability for rural communities
Controversies
- Criticized by some progressives for being more incremental than confrontational on big federal spending fights
- Took heat for bipartisan compromises on infrastructure and energy policy that some wanted to push further left
- Balances Vermont’s independent streak with Democratic Party leadership — not always perfectly for either side
Top Donors
| Donor | Total | Individuals | PACs |
|---|---|---|---|
| JStreetPAC | $131,341 | $106,798 | $24,543 |
| Laborers Union | $90,500 | $0 | $90,500 |
| Operating Engineers Union | $84,819 | $19 | $84,800 |
| Sheet Metal, Air, Rail & Transportation Union | $83,000 | $0 | $83,000 |
| National Assn of Realtors | $76,500 | $3,500 | $73,000 |
Amounts shown reflect organization-linked giving; many of these are union or issue PACs rather than corporate PACs.
Recent Elections
2022 Margin D +40%