Democrat Peter Welch has easily won a fifth term as Vermont's lone representative in the U.S. House, turning aside the second challenge in as many elections from Republican Mark Donka.
In 2012, Welch beat Donka, a conservative Republican and Woodstock police officer, by amore than three-to-one margin.
As Republicans increased their ranks in Washington Tuesday night, Welch said the big challenge facing Congress would continue to be in finding common ground.
“The debate on the Republican side will be whether they want to spend two more years beating up on the president or do they want to take this opportunity to find some common ground and make progress. I actually have some optimism that they’re going to make that choice," Welch said. "The irony is, I think if they make that choice, it’s not only better for the country, it's better for them politically, because people are so upset about us not making progress," Welch said.
As a member of the minority party now, Welch said he’ll find a way to work with his colleagues, as long as it will move the country ahead.
