Phil Baruth

Phil Baruth is a Democratic/Progressive senator representing the Chittenden-Central District in the Vermont State Senate. He has lived in Vermont for 31 years and has represented Chittenden County in the State Senate for 14 years. Beyond his legislative work, Baruth is an accomplished author and educator. He has been teaching in the English Department at the University of Vermont since 1993, specializing in Creative Writing, Postmodern American Literature and Culture, Eighteenth-Century British Literature, and Vermont Literature. His novel The X President, a darkly comic take on the life and legacy of Bill Clinton, became a New York Times Notable Book in 2003. His most recent novel, The Brothers Boswell, was listed as one of the Best Books of 2009 by the Washington Post. Prior to his election to the Senate, Baruth spent a dozen years as an award-winning commentator for Vermont Public Radio. He resides in Burlington.

Education

Baruth holds a Ph.D. from the University of California, Irvine, earned in 1993.

Political Experience

Baruth was initially elected to the Vermont State Senate in 2010 and has served continuously since 2011. He currently serves as President Pro Tempore of the Vermont Senate and Clerk of the Committee on Appropriations. He also serves as a member of the Senate Committee on Judiciary.

Throughout his legislative career, Baruth has held several significant leadership positions. He served as Senate Majority Leader from 2013 to 2016 and has served on the Education, Economic Development, Judiciary, and Agriculture Committees. His current committee assignments include chairing the Senate Rules Committee and the Joint Legislative Management Committee, as well as serving as Vice Chair of the Joint Rules Committee.

Baruth's legislative priorities focus on housing, gun safety, public health and safety, climate policy, and economic prosperity. He has received multiple accolades for his public service, including the Dean's Lecture Award from the University of Vermont's College of Arts and Sciences in 2010, a 2009 First-Place Public Radio News Directors Award, a shared 2009 Edward R. Murrow Award, and Vermont Associated Press Awards in 2002 and 2003.