News

Sean Casten ’93 defeated incumbent Republican Peter Roskam in Illinois’ sixth congressional district.

MIDDLEBURY, Vt. – While Middlebury wasn’t on the ballot in any mid-term election on November 6, a pair of alumni are now set to join the 116th United States Congress, an alumnus is heading to the statehouse in Wyoming, and an alumna came up short in her efforts to return to Washington as a member of Congress.

In a race tabbed as one to watch by political pundits, Sean Casten ’93, a clean-energy entrepreneur, defeated incumbent Republican Peter Roskam in Illinois’ sixth congressional district. Roskam had held the seat for six-terms; the race was Casten’s first foray into politics.

In central New Jersey, Congressman Frank Pallone ’73 easily won re-election, defeating Republican challenger Rich Pezzullo. Pallone has represented the sixth congressional district of New Jersey since 1988.

In the third congressional race featuring a Middlebury graduate, Republican Barbara Comstock ’81 lost her bid for re-election to a third term in Virginia’s tenth congressional district, losing the race to Virginia state senator Jennifer Wexton.

And out West, Republican Mark Gordon ’79 will be the next governor of Wyoming. Gordon, the state’s treasurer, defeated energy industry attorney Mary Throne in a race to succeed outgoing governor Matt Mead.

UPDATE:

In Maine statewide elections, Nicole Grohoski ‘05 was elected to the Maine House and Shenna Bellows ’97 was reelected to the Maine Senate.

Do you know of a Middlebury graduate in the national or gubernatorial midterms who we missed? Email us so we can update this story.