Peter Welch

Peter Francis Welch (born May 2, 1947) is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for Vermont's at-large congressional district since 2007. He is a member of the Democratic Party and has been a major figure in Vermont politics for over three decades. He previously served in the Vermont Senate from 1981 to 1989, where he had spells as the Minority Leader and President pro tempore. In 1988, he gave up his seat to run for the United States House of Representatives, losing in the Democratic primary to House Majority Leader, Paul N. Poirier. He was the Democratic nominee for Governor of Vermont in 1990, losing to former Republican Governor Richard A. Snelling 52% to 46%. He returned to politics in 2001, when he was appointed back to the Vermont Senate. He was reelected in 2002 and 2004 before making a successful run for the U.S. House of Representatives in 2006 to replace independent Bernie Sanders, who was elected to the United States Senate.