Mary Morrissey is one of Vermont’s most entrenched Republican legislators, and one of the state’s most extreme. In office since the 1990s, she’s used her position not to help her constituents, but to harass colleagues, attack reproductive rights, and align herself with far-right culture war campaigns against LGBTQ+ and inclusive education.
But things have changed in Bennington. In 2022, Morrissey won re-election by just 442 votes. In 2024, her margin was only 6.7 percent over the top Democrat. Her vote share is declining. The district is trending blue and Bennington’s other House seat is now held by a Democrat. Her base is shrinking. Her record is out of step. And her time is running out.
Mary Morrissey may not face voters again until 2026—but her campaign begins now, in 2025. And so does ours.
She is exposed. She is extreme. She is beatable.
Anti-LGBTQ+ and Anti-Family Record
Voted against bills protecting gender-affirming care in both 2023 and 2025.
Opposed legislation targeting deceptive practices by anti-abortion “crisis pregnancy centers.”
Rejected inclusive health care protections for LGBTQ+ Vermonters, calling them “government overreach.”
Refused to support any education policies that include LGBTQ+ youth or trans students.
Aligned with GOP efforts to replicate anti-trans sports bans and anti-DEI laws from other states.
Never broke with her caucus to support equality or inclusion.
Attacks on Reproductive Freedom
Voted against Proposal 5, Vermont’s constitutional amendment protecting abortion rights.
Confronted Rep. Jim Carroll in 2019, saying his deceased parents would be “ashamed” of his pro-choice stance.
Engaged in a months-long harassment campaign in 2024, secretly pouring water into Carroll’s personal items.
Used floor debates to describe medication abortion as a “mail-order” profit scheme.
Repeated anti-choice misinformation and never supported any reproductive access expansions.
Opposes the values of the 77% of Vermonters who voted to protect abortion rights.
Culture War Over Community
Prioritized ideological battles over local needs like housing, jobs, or health care.
Fought against inclusive curriculum and gender identity protections.
Consistently voted against policies promoting dignity, freedom, and equity.
Follows far-right legislative trends instead of representing Vermont’s values.
Key Vulnerabilities
Won re-election in 2022 by just over 400 votes; in 2024, margin shrank to 3.7% over top Democrat.
District is shifting left: Biden won Bennington County nearly 2 to 1, and Proposal 5 passed overwhelmingly.
Local schools promote diversity; younger, independent voters dominate the electorate.
Her base is aging and shrinking, while her tone grows increasingly extreme.
She is vulnerable to a strong challenger or viral moment that exposes her record.
Mary Morrissey has spent nearly three decades in office. And in that time, she’s built a record of division, harassment, and extremism. She’s attacked abortion rights. She’s opposed protections for LGBTQ+ Vermonters. She’s publicly bullied a colleague over their pro-choice vote. And she continues to vote against inclusion, equity, and civil rights.
She has:
Voted against the constitutional right to abortion
Joined efforts to block protections for trans health care and inclusive education
Harassed and intimidated colleagues over ideological disagreements
Declined in vote share and political relevance as her district shifts left
