Vermont Democratic Lt. Gov. Gray launches bid for US House

BURLINGTON, Vt. (AP) — Vermont Lt. Gov. Molly Gray is seeking the Democratic Party nomination to fill the U.S. House seat that will become vacant when U.S. Rep. Peter Welch runs for the U.S. Senate. Gray, of Burlington, announced her plans Monday.

Last month, Democratic U.S. Sen. Patrick Leahy announced he will not seek reelection next year. That prompted Welch, who has served in the House since 2007, to announce that he run would for the Senate seat.

They are the first openings in the Vermont congressional delegation since 2006.

Vermont has never sent a woman to Congress.

So far, no Republican politicians have expressed interest publicly in running for the seat.