Joseph Charles Benning[1] (born December 7, 1956) is an American politician and a Republican who served as a member of the Vermont Senate representing Caledonia District from 2011 to 2023.

[3] In late 2017, Degree resigned from the Senate, and Benning was again chosen by the Senate's Republicans to serve as Minority Leader.

[4] Born in Long Branch, New Jersey, Benning graduated from Mater Dei High School in 1975.

in Social Science from Lyndon State College in 1979 and a J.D.

Benning is former Chair of Vermont's Human Rights Commission and former member of the Board of Trustees for the Vermont State Colleges.