Patrick Leahy was elected to the United States Senate in 1974 and remains the only Democrat elected to this office from Vermont. At 34, he was the youngest U.S. Senator ever to be elected from the Green Mountain State.
Leahy was born in Montpelier and grew up across from the State House. A graduate of Saint Michael's College in Colchester (1961), he received his Juris Doctor from Georgetown University Law Center (1964). He served for eight years as State's Attorney in Chittenden County where he gained a national reputation for his law enforcement activities and was selected as one of three outstanding prosecutors in the United States in 1974.
Vermont is home to a variety of innovative entrepreneurs and businesses. From high-tech firms to specialty food producers to leaders in the green economy, Vermont leads the way in forward-thinking and sustainable economic development that provides good-paying jobs to thousands of Vermonters. Since safe and reliable transportation systems keep Vermont businesses and their employees moving, transportation improvements and economic development efforts are closely linked in Vermont.
More information about Senator Leahy’s efforts to grow Vermont’s economy, secure federal contracts for local employers, stimulate economic recovery efforts, develop a dynamic workforce and enhance Vermont’s historic downtowns and transportation systems can be found on the right.