2006Flipped from RepublicanFinal results
2006 election for U.S. Senate in Vermont
U.S. Senate · Vermont
Bernard Sanders (Ind) won with 65.4% of the vote, defeating Rich Tarrant (R) by 33.0 points, a seat Republicans won last time.
Bernard SandersIndependent · winner
65.4%171,638
Rich TarrantRepublican
32.4%84,924
Cris EricsonIndependent
0.7%1,735
Craig HillGreen
0.6%1,536
Peter MossOther party
0.6%1,518
Pete DiamondstoneLiberty Union
0.3%801
262,419 votes
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
The seat over time
D − R margin in this seat's races around 2006
Races before and after
Source: MIT Election Data and Science LabUpdated Sep 30, 2026, 7:25 AM ET
Money in this race
Each line compares the two campaigns on one scale.
Bernard SandersRich Tarrant
$6.2M
Raised by the campaign
$7.3M
$6M
Spent by the campaign
$7.3M
$177.5K
Cash on hand
$15.5K
Campaign money: FEC, through Dec 31, 2006.
Source: FEC campaign filingsUpdated Dec 31, 2006
The candidates
Bernard Sanders (I)Rich Tarrant (R)
Also on the ballot: Cris Ericson (Independent), 0.7%; Craig Hill (Green), 0.6%; Peter Moss (Other party), 0.6%; Pete Diamondstone (Liberty Union), 0.3%