Vermont Republican Party chair Paul Dame narrowly won reelection to the post Saturday following a strong challenge from conservative Sen. Russ Ingalls (R-Essex). Dame received 50 votes to Ingalls’ 47 at the party’s convention at the Hotel Champlain in downtown Burlington.

In his pitch to delegates, Dame argued that they should reelect him because he works well with the media and has close connections to the administration of Gov. Phil Scott, a Republican.

“We are on a better path and in a better position that we’ve been in 20 years,” Dame said during his remarks to the delegates. “If you join me and work together, you’ll be amazed by the change we can make.”

Paul Dame

Dame has also said he thinks a sitting lawmaker such as Ingalls would be more restrained in what they could say as party chair. He, on the other hand, is able to sharply criticize Democratic lawmakers when they stumble,

Ingalls had argued that the party is “broke” and he’d be better at fundraising, which he said the VTGOP needs to improve dramatically ahead of the midterms. After Dame’s salary and the conference expenses are paid, there would likely be “no money left in the till,” he said.

He also said he would unify the party and make it more attractive to blue-collar workers and youth.

“The enemy we must defeat is not on this room. It is the progressives and outside influences that fund and direct them,” Ingalls said.

Sen. Russ Ingalls

Preserving the huge gains made by Republicans in Vermont in 2024 was top of mind for many in the room. Republicans picked up six seats in the Senate and 17 the House of Representatives, flipping more seats than in another other state. Two of those first-year GOP senators recently resigned, however.

Many credited Dame with helping secure the gains, while others argued the party was ill-prepared for the tough fights ahead.

Rob Roper, the former president of the conservative public policy organization the Ethan Allen Institute, said he considers Dame a friend, but feels he lacks skills that will be crucial in 2026, including fundraising and candidate recruitment.

“We can’t afford to miss opportunities in 2026,” Roper said.

Sen. Scott Beck (R-Caledonia), the Senate minority leader, said he was not surprised the vote was so close.

Rep. Zach Harvey (right)

“It’s always good when you have more that one person interested in a position, and we had two good candidates,” Beck said.

Also elected were Rep. Zach Harvey (R-Castleton) as vice chair, Rachel Stringer of Colchester as secretary, and Lynn LaFleur of Stowe as treasurer.

The state Democrats will pick a chair when they hold a convention November 15. Two candidates are running: Lachlan Francis and Justin Willeau.