Retired Army officer Gerald Malloy won the Republican nomination for Vermont’s lone U.S. House seat Tuesday, defeating candidate Mark Coester and advancing to a November matchup against Democratic Rep. Becca Balint.

Malloy entered the race with statewide name recognition after winning the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 2024. He went on to lose to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). During this year’s primary, Malloy ran on a platform that emphasized border security, energy independence, reducing government spending and his past military leadership.

Unofficial early results showed Malloy landing a decisive victory over Coester.

Coester campaigned as a political outsider, arguing Vermont Republicans should nominate a fresh face to challenge Democratic incumbent Becca Balint. His campaign centered on immigration, small government, education reform and bringing an outsider’s perspective to Washington.

The primary offered voters a choice between an outsider candidate and a higher-profile Republican.

Malloy emphasized his military service and statewide campaign experience. He promised to represent all Vermonters in efforts to strengthen the economy, defend individual liberties and oppose tax increases.

Coester, by contrast, campaigned as a political outsider, focusing on immigration, small government and education reform. He argued that Republicans should nominate a fresh face and touted his outsider status as an asset in Washington.

Malloy will face Balint, who is seeking a third term representing Vermont’s at-large congressional district. Vermont has not elected a Republican to the U.S. House since 1990.