Claire Ayer

Claire Ayer

Democratic Party

Prior offices

Vermont State Senate Addison District

Successor: Ruth Hardy

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Education

Bachelor's

Middlebury College

Other

Jeanne Mance School of Nursing

Claire D. Ayer (b. September 21, 1948) is a former Democratic member of the Vermont State Senate, representing the Addison District from 2003 to 2019. She previously served as assistant majority leader. Ayer did not file to run for re-election in 2018.

Biography

Ayer earned her NR from Jeanne Mance School of Nursing in 1969. She went on to receive her B.A. in Environmental Studies.

Ayer worked as a registered nurse for Middlebury Obstetrics-Gynecology. She has worked as a director on the board for Otter Creek Natural Resources Conservation District since 1992.

Committee assignments

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

2015 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2015 legislative session, Ayer served on the following committees:

Vermont committee assignments, 2015
• Finance
• Health and Welfare, Chair
• Health Reform Oversight
• Fiscal

2013-2014

In the 2013-2014 legislative session, Ayer served on the following committees:

Vermont committee assignments, 2013
• Government Operations
• Health and Welfare, Chair
• Rules, Vice chair
• Health Care Oversight, Chair

2011-2012

In the 2011-2012 legislative session, Ayer served on these committees:

Vermont committee assignments, 2011
• Government Operations, Vice chair
• Health and Welfare, Chair

2009-2010

In the 2009-2010 legislative session, Ayer served on these committees:

Vermont committee assignments, 2009
• Finance
• Government Operations
• Health and Welfare

Sponsored legislation

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.

Elections

2018

See also: Vermont State Senate elections, 2018

Claire Ayer did not file to run for re-election.

2016

See also: Vermont State Senate elections, 2016

Elections for the Vermont State Senate took place in 2016. The primary election took place on August 9, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was May 26, 2016.

Incumbent Claire Ayer and incumbent Christopher Bray defeated Peter Briggs and Lynn Dike in the Vermont State Senate Addison District general election.

Vermont State Senate, Addison District General Election, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Claire Ayer Incumbent	34.42%	11,988
	Democratic	Christopher Bray Incumbent	27.41%	9,545
	Republican	Peter Briggs	21.05%	7,330
	Republican	Lynn Dike	17.12%	5,963
Total Votes				34,826
Source: Vermont Secretary of State

Incumbent Claire Ayer and incumbent Christopher Bray were unopposed in the Vermont State Senate Addison District Democratic primary.

Vermont State Senate, Addison District Democratic Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Democratic	Claire Ayer Incumbent
	Democratic	Christopher Bray Incumbent

Peter Briggs and Lynn Dike were unopposed in the Vermont State Senate Addison District Republican primary.

Vermont State Senate, Addison District Republican Primary, 2016
Party		Candidate
	Republican	Peter Briggs
	Republican	Lynn Dike

2014

See also: Vermont State Senate elections, 2014

Elections for the Vermont State Senate took place in 2014. A primary election took place on August 26, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was June 12, 2014. Addison has two state senators. Incumbents Claire Ayer and Christopher Bray were unopposed in the Democratic primary, and are unchallenged in the general election. After facing no opposition in the Democratic primary, both incumbents will go equally unchallenged in the general election with no other candidates on the ballot.

2012

See also: Vermont State Senate elections, 2012

Ayer won re-election in the 2012 election for Vermont State Senate Addison District. Ayer was unopposed in the August 28 Democratic primary and won re-election in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.

Vermont State Senate, Addison District, General Election, 2012

Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Democratic	Claire Ayer Incumbent	46.3%	12,925
	Democratic	Christopher Bray	35.5%	9,904
	Independent	Robert Wagner	18.1%	5,059
Total Votes				27,888

2010

See also: Vermont State Senate elections, 2010

Ayer defeated Andrea Ochs (R), Mark Young (R), and Robert Wagner (I) in the general election on November 2, 2010. She ran for re-election to the 1st District Seat (Addison District) in 2010. She was unopposed in the primary.

Vermont State Senate, Addison District General Election 2010
Candidates		Votes
Claire Ayer (D)		9,520
Harold Giard (D)		7,369
Andrea Ochs (R)		4,252
Mark Young (R)		6,991
Robert Wagner (I)		1,128

2008

On November 4, 2008, Ayer won re-election by finishing first for the two-seat Addison District of the Vermont State Senate, receiving 15,960 votes ahead of Democrat Harold Giard (13,955) and write-ins (337).

Ayer raised $6,012 for her campaign.

Vermont State Senate, Addison District
Candidates		Votes
Claire Ayer (D)		15,960
Harold Giard (D)		13,955
Write-ins		337

Campaign finance summary

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Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.

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Claire Ayer campaign contribution history

Year	Office	Status	Contributions	Expenditures
2016	Vermont State Senate, District Addison	Won	$3,525	N/A**
2014	Vermont State Senate, District Addison	Won	$5,407	N/A**
2012	Vermont State Senate, District Addison	Won	$6,833	N/A**
2010	Vermont State Senate, District Addison	Won	$8,102	N/A**
2008	Vermont State Senate, District Addison	Won	$6,012	N/A**
Grand total			$29,879	N/A**
Sources: OpenSecrets,  Federal Elections Commission ***This product uses the openFEC API but is not endorsed or certified by the Federal Election Commission (FEC).
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Vermont

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

Ballotpedia is in the process of developing an encyclopedic list of published scorecards. Some states have a limited number of available scorecards or scorecards produced only by select groups. It is Ballotpedia’s goal to incorporate all available scorecards regardless of ideology or number.

Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Vermont scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.

2018

In 2018, the Vermont General Assembly was in session from January 3 through May 13. There was also a special session from May 23 through June 29.

• National Federation of Independent Business in Vermont: 2017-2018 voting record

Legislators are scored based on their votes on small business issues.

• Vermont Conservation Voters

Legislators are scored based on their voting records on environmental issues.

• Vermont Public Interest Research Group: 2017-2018 Legislative Scorecard

Legislators are scored by VPIRG on bills related to public interest issues.

• The American Conservative Union

Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2017

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show].

In 2017, the Vermont General Assembly was in session from January 4 through May 18. There was also a veto session June 21. Vermont Conservation Voters: 2017-2018 Environmental Scorecard Legislators are scored based on their voting records on environmental issues. Vermont Public Interest Research Group: 2017-2018 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored by VPIRG on bills related to public interest issues. Vermont State Employees Association Legislators are scored based on their votes on pieces of legislation supported by the organization. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues.

2016

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2016, click [show].

In 2016, the Vermont General Assembly was in session from January 5 through May 6. National Federation of Independent Business in Vermont: 2016 voting record Legislators are scored based on their votes on small business issues. The American Conservative Union: 2016 scorecard Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility: 2015-2016 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored based on whether or not their votes aligned with VBSR’s stance on each policy. Vermont Conservation Voters: 2015-2016 Environmental Scorecard Legislators are scored based on their voting records on environmental issues. Vermont Public Interest Research Group: 2015-2016 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored by VPIRG on bills related to public interest issues.

2015

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2015, click [show].

In 2015, the Vermont General Assembly was in session from January 7 through May 16. The American Conservative Union Legislators are scored on their votes on conservative issues. Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility: 2015-2016 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored based on whether or not their votes aligned with VBSR’s stance on each policy. Vermont Conservation Voters: 2015-2016 Environmental Scorecard Legislators are scored based on their voting records on environmental issues. Vermont Public Interest Research Group: 2015-2016 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored by VPIRG on bills related to public interest issues.

2014

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2014, click [show].

In 2014, the Vermont General Assembly was in session from January 7 to May 10. National Federation of Independent Business in Vermont: 2013-2014 Legislative Voting Record Legislators are scored based on their votes on small business issues. Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility: 2013-2014 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored based on whether or not their votes aligned with VBSR’s stance on each policy. Vermont Conservation Voters: 2013-2014 Environmental Scorecard Legislators are scored based on their voting records on environmental issues. Vermont Public Interest Research Group: 2013-2014 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored by VPIRG on bills related to public interest issues.

2013

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2013, click [show].

In 2013, the Vermont General Assembly was in session from January 9 to May 14. National Federation of Independent Business in Vermont: 2013-2014 Legislative Voting Record Legislators are scored based on their votes on small business issues. Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility: 2013-2014 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored based on whether or not their votes aligned with VBSR’s stance on each policy. Vermont Conservation Voters: 2013-2014 Environmental Scorecard Legislators are scored based on their voting records on environmental issues. Vermont Public Interest Research Group: 2013-2014 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored by VPIRG on bills related to public interest issues.

2012

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2012, click [show].

In 2012, the Vermont General Assembly was in session from January 3 to May 5. Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility: 2011-2012 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored based on whether or not their votes aligned with VBSR’s stance on each policy. Vermont Chamber of Commerce: 2011-2012 Scorecard Legislators are scored by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce on issues that directly affect their membership. Vermont Conservation Voters: 2011-2012 Environmental Scorecard Legislators are scored based on their voting records on environmental issues. Vermont Public Interest Research Group: 2011-2012 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored by VPIRG on bills related to public interest issues.

2011

To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2011, click [show].

In 2011, the Vermont General Assembly was in session from January 5 through mid May. Vermont Businesses for Social Responsibility: 2011-2012 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored based on whether or not their votes aligned with VBSR’s stance on each policy. Vermont Chamber of Commerce: 2011-2012 Scorecard Legislators are scored by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce on issues that directly affect their membership. Vermont Conservation Voters: 2011-2012 Environmental Scorecard Legislators are scored based on their voting records on environmental issues. Vermont Public Interest Research Group: 2011-2012 Legislative Scorecard Legislators are scored by VPIRG on bills related to public interest issues.

Personal

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.

Ayer and her husband Alan have three children.

Recent news

This section links to a Google news search for the term "Claire + Ayer + Vermont + Senate"

All stories may not be relevant to this legislator due to the nature of the search engine.

Claire Ayer News Feed

See also

• Vermont State Legislature
• Vermont State Senate
• Vermont State Senate Committees
• Vermont Joint Committees
• Vermont state legislative districts

External links

Suggest a link

• Profile from Open States
• Legislative profile from Project Vote Smart
• Biography from Project Vote Smart
• Campaign Contributions: 2008, 2006, 2004, 2002
• List of Vermont Senators
• Claire Ayer on LinkedIn

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by -	Vermont State Senate Addison District 2003-2019	Succeeded by Ruth Hardy (D)

[show]

Current members of the Vermont State Senate

Leadership

Majority Leader:Kesha Ram Hinsdale

Senators

Addison District

Ruth Hardy (D)

Steven Heffernan (R)

Bennington District

Seth Bongartz (D)

Robert Plunkett (D)

Caledonia District

Scott Beck (R)

Chittenden Central District

Philip Baruth (D)

Martine Gulick (D)

Tanya Vyhovsky (V)

Chittenden North District

Chris Mattos (R)

Chittenden Southeast District

Thomas Chittenden (D)

Virginia Lyons (D)

Kesha Ram Hinsdale (D)

Essex District

Russ Ingalls (R)

Franklin District

Randy Brock (R)

Robert Norris (R)

Grand Isle District

Patrick Brennan (R)

Lamoille District

Richard Westman (R)

Orange District

Larry Hart (R)

Orleans District

Samuel Douglass (R)

Rutland District

Brian Collamore (R)

David Weeks (R)

Terry Williams (R)

Washington District

Ann Cummings (D)

Andrew Perchlik (D)

Anne Watson (D)

Windham District

Wendy Harrison (D)

Nader Hashim (D)

Windsor District

Alison Clarkson (D)

Joe Major (D)

Rebecca White (D)

Democratic Party (16)

Republican Party (13)

Vermont Progressive Party (1)