Vermont State Senator Resigns Following Racist Chat Messages
Vermont State Senator Corey Parent resigned today, October 18, 2025, after the emergence of racist and antisemitic messages he sent in a private Young Republican group chat.
The messages, which circulated widely yesterday, contained derogatory language targeting various groups. Parent, who represented Franklin County as a Republican, confirmed his resignation in a statement released this evening. “I take full responsibility for my actions and the pain they have caused,” he said. The controversy highlights the ongoing challenges of addressing extremist views within the Republican party.
The group chat reportedly involved several other young Republican activists, sparking a debate within the Vermont GOP about how to respond to the incident. Some party leaders have condemned the messages, while others have called for due process and cautioned against rushing to judgment. This incident comes as political discourse nationally continues to grapple with issues of hate speech and online extremism; learn more about the rise of extremist groups here.
Parent’s resignation leaves a vacancy in the Vermont Senate, which will be filled through a special election process outlined in Vermont election law. Officials have stated they are committed to ensuring a fair and transparent process to select his replacement.
Vermont Governor Phil Scott’s office has not yet issued a statement, but is expected to address the situation tomorrow.
