Race at a glance
Washington-1 has a contested Vermont State House race in the 2026 general election. The candidates are Anne Donahue and Kenneth Goslant, both Republican incumbents. Voting in the general election is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2026.
Because both candidates are incumbents from the same party, the candidate field does not offer a party difference. Instead, voters will be considering two current officeholders seeking to continue representing Washington-1 in the State House.
The contest is part of the general election rather than a party primary. That means the Washington-1 race will be decided through the November election process alongside other offices on the 2026 general-election ballot.
Anne Donahue
Anne Donahue is running as a Republican and is an incumbent in the Vermont State House. Her incumbent status means she enters the 2026 campaign as a current officeholder rather than a first-time challenger.
Donahue is one of two candidates in the contested Washington-1 race. Her candidacy gives voters the opportunity to assess her continued service in the Legislature as they make their general-election decisions.
The central campaign questions for Donahue will include how she presents her record in office, what priorities she identifies for another term and how she distinguishes her candidacy within a field made up entirely of Republican incumbents.
Kenneth Goslant
Kenneth Goslant is running as a Republican and is also an incumbent in the Vermont State House. Like Donahue, he begins the 2026 campaign as a current officeholder seeking to remain in the Legislature.
Goslant is the other candidate in the contested Washington-1 race. His candidacy gives voters the opportunity to assess his continued service in the Legislature when they cast their general-election ballots.
The central campaign questions for Goslant will include how he presents his record in office, what priorities he identifies for another term and how he distinguishes his candidacy within the same field of Republican incumbents.
What is contested
The Washington-1 contest is about the district’s representation in the Vermont State House. Donahue and Goslant share a party label and incumbent status, so those details alone do not separate their candidacies.
As the election develops, the distinctions between the two candidates may come through their legislative records, campaign messages and priorities for the district. Those elements will help voters compare two officeholders who otherwise enter the race with the same listed party affiliation and the same incumbent designation.
The race should not be treated as a contest between a sitting lawmaker and a newcomer. Both candidates already hold office, making their current service and their cases for continuing in the State House central parts of the election.
Election timeline
The general election will be held Nov. 3, 2026. Between the start of the campaign and Election Day, voters can watch for candidate statements, public appearances and other opportunities to compare Donahue and Goslant.
The ballot will present Washington-1 voters with a contested State House race featuring two Republican incumbents. The result will determine the district’s representation for the term following the 2026 election.
