All-female VT battle for US House

Becca Balint, the president pro tempore of the Vermont Senate, is taking on the state's lieutenant governor for Vermont's lone U.S. House seat.

The nomination battle so far between two Democrat women could mean a female - and possibly a gay one to boot - would hold the seat for the first time in Vermont history.

“I’m running because I believe that, even with the challenges of today, we cannot back away from fighting for each other,” the Windham County Democrat said in a written statement. “We have to deliver on some big promises for Vermont working families, and that is going to take courage and kindness.”

Balint, who is gay, joins Lt. Gov. Molly Gray in the Democratic primary to succeed U.S. Rep. Peter Welch, D-VT, who is vacating his House seat to run for the U.S. Senate.

No Republicans have entered the race.

- VTDigger