Vermont Senator Steps Down Following Leaked Racist Chat Scandal

A Sudden Resignation in the Green Mountain State

Vermont State Senator Samuel Douglass has announced his resignation following revelations that he participated in a private online group chat containing racist, antisemitic, and sexist messages. The decision, effective Monday at noon, comes less than a year into his first term representing the Orleans district in the Vermont Senate.

Douglass, who was elected in 2024, said the decision was made in part to protect his family amid public backlash and threats that followed the release of the chat logs. “I know that this decision will upset many, and delight others, but in this political climate I must keep my family safe,” he said in a statement released Friday.

Leaked Messages Spark Outrage

The controversy began when thousands of messages from a Young Republicans group chat were leaked earlier this month. The 2,900-page trove of messages, spanning several months, contained slurs, antisemitic references, and derogatory comments about women and minority groups. Douglass was the only sitting elected official named in the leak.

Among the messages cited, Douglass responded to a racist comment about a woman with “she just didn’t bathe often.” Another message in the thread included a remark from his wife, Brianna Douglass, referring to “expecting the Jew to be honest.”

The revelations prompted immediate condemnation across the political spectrum. State leaders, including Vermont Governor Phil Scott, called the remarks “unacceptable” and urged Douglass to step down. Within days, that pressure proved too great to ignore.

Public and Political Fallout

As national media outlets began covering the story, Douglass initially resisted calls to resign, saying he was “weighing options” and did not fully participate in the conversations being circulated. But as scrutiny intensified—and the public response grew—he reversed course.

In his final statement, Douglass said he was “deeply sorry for the offense this caused and that our state was dragged into this.” He also said he had reached out to Jewish and minority community members “to allow them to be honest and up-front” with him about the impact of his involvement.

Next Steps for Vermont’s Legislature

With Douglass’s resignation now official, his seat representing Orleans County will be vacant as of Monday. Under Vermont law, Governor Phil Scott will appoint a replacement to serve until the next election cycle.

The resignation leaves Vermont’s Republican Party grappling with the fallout from a scandal that quickly drew national attention. Beyond state politics, it has also prompted wider questions about oversight, conduct, and accountability within the country’s Young Republican organizations—several of which have since suspended members linked to the chat.

A Lesson in Accountability

While Douglass’s tenure was short-lived, his resignation underscores how private words can carry very public consequences. The episode has reignited debate about standards of conduct for elected officials and the expectations of those who serve the public.

As Vermont prepares to fill the vacancy, the state’s political leaders are left to reckon with the broader implications—both for the integrity of public service and for restoring trust among constituents who expect better.