2022 West Virginia Senate election

Last updated

2022 West Virginia Senate elections
Flag of West Virginia.svg
←  2020 November 8, 2022 2024  →
17 of 34 seats in the West Virginia Senate
18 seats needed for a majority
 Majority partyMinority party
 
GOP
DEM
Leader Craig Blair Stephen Baldwin
(lost re-election)
Party Republican Democratic
Leader sinceJanuary 13, 2021January 13, 2021
Leader's seat 15th district 10th district
Seats before2311
Seats after304
Seat changeIncrease2.svg 7Decrease2.svg 7
Popular vote307,201131,305
Percentage67.0%28.6%
SwingIncrease2.svg 5.8%Decrease2.svg 7.5%
Seats up98
Races won161
2022 West Virginia State Senate Election.svg
2022 West Virginia State Senate Election Results by margin.svg
Results of the elections:
     Republican gain
     Republican hold     Democratic hold
Vote share:
     50–60%     60–70%     70–80%     80–90%     >90%
     50–60%
Senate President before election

Craig Blair
Republican

Elected Senate President

Craig Blair
Republican

The 2022 West Virginia Senate elections were held on November 8, 2022, and elected 17 of the chamber's 34 members. This coincided with elections in the House of Delegates, and the election of West Virginia's two representatives. Following the 2020 census, this was the first West Virginia Senate election held after redistricting. Primary elections were held on May 10, 2022. [1]

Contents

The Republican party won 16 of the 17 races up for election, attaining supermajority status in the State Senate with 30 seats. A month after the election, state senator Glenn Jeffries (who was not up for re-election in 2022) switch from the Democratic to Republican party, further increasing the party's seat count. [2]

Retirements

Three members of the West Virginia Senate - two Democrats, and one Republican - did not run for re-election.

Democrats

  1. District 12: Mike Romano retired to run for Harrison County Commission. [3]
  2. District 13: Bob Beach retired. [4]

Republicans

  1. District 14: David Sypolt retired. [5]

Incumbents defeated

In primaries

Democrats

  1. District 1: Owens Brown lost renomination to former delegate Randy Swartzmiller.

In general elections

Democrats

  1. District 7: Ron Stollings lost re-election to Mike Stuart.
  2. District 8: Richard Lindsay lost re-election to Mark Hunt.
  3. District 10: Stephen Baldwin lost re-election to Vince Deeds.
  4. District 16: Hannah Geffert lost re-election to Jason Barrett.

Seats for election

In the West Virginia Senate, two members are elected from each of the 17 districts in staggered, four-year terms. In the 2022 cycle, nine Republican-held seats and eight Democrat-held seats were open for election. The names of members whose seats were up for election and their winning candidates are below.

DistrictIncumbentElected SenatorResult
MemberPartyFirst electedMemberParty
District 1 Owens Brown Democratic2021 (appointed)Laura ChapmanRepublicanRepublican gain
District 2 Charles Clements Republican2017 (appointed) Charles Clements RepublicanRepublican hold
District 3 Mike Azinger Republican2016 Mike Azinger RepublicanRepublican hold
District 4 Eric Tarr Republican2018 Eric Tarr RepublicanRepublican hold
District 5 Mike Woelfel Democratic2014 Mike Woelfel DemocraticDemocratic hold
District 6 Mark Maynard Republican2014 Mark Maynard RepublicanRepublican hold
District 7 Ron Stollings Democratic2006 Mike Stuart RepublicanRepublican gain
District 8 Richard Lindsay Democratic2018 Mark Hunt RepublicanRepublican gain
District 9 Rollan Roberts Republican2018 Rollan Roberts RepublicanRepublican hold
District 10 Stephen Baldwin Democratic2017 (appointed) Vince Deeds RepublicanRepublican gain
District 11 Bill Hamilton Republican2018 Bill Hamilton RepublicanRepublican hold
District 12 Mike Romano Democratic2014 Ben Queen RepublicanRepublican gain
District 13 Bob Beach Democratic2010 Mike Oliverio RepublicanRepublican gain
District 14 David Sypolt Republican2006Jay TaylorRepublicanRepublican hold
District 15 Charles Trump Republican2014 Charles Trump RepublicanRepublican hold
District 16 Hannah Geffert Democratic2021 (appointed) Jason Barrett RepublicanRepublican gain
District 17 Tom Takubo Republican2014 Tom Takubo RepublicanRepublican hold

Predictions

SourceRankingAs of
Sabato's Crystal Ball [6] Safe RMay 19, 2022

Senate President Election

The 2023 West Virginia Senate Presidential election was held on January 11, 2023.

On August 31, 2022, Republican senator and former chair of the Senate Education Committee Patricia Rucker announced that she would challenge incumbent president Craig Blair in the election. [7] On November 22, Rucker withdrew her bid. [8]

On December 4, 2022, Blair was renominated as President of the Senate, unopposed. [9]

At the convening of the 86th Legislature on January 11, 2023, Blair was re-elected by acclamation.

Overview

In 2022, the Democrats, though defending fewer seats than the Republicans, had the majority of their caucus up for re-election, leaving them vulnerable to Republicans. Of the eight seats held by Democrats going into the election, all but one elected Republicans.

↓
304
RepublicanDem.
2022 West Virginia Senate election
PartyRaces wonVotesPercentage% changeSeats

before

Seats

after

+/–
Republican 16307,20167.01%Increase2.svg 5.8%2330Increase2.svg 7
Democratic 1131,30528.64%Decrease2.svg 7.5%114Decrease2.svg 7
Libertarian 013,7232.99%Increase2.svg 2.3%00Steady2.svg
Upwising WV05,1481.12%Increase2.svg 1.1%00Steady2.svg
Independent 01,0850.24%Increase2.svg 0.2%00Steady2.svg
Totals17458,462100.00%—3434—
Turnout39.76%Decrease2.svg 23.5%
Popular vote
Republican
 
67.01%
Democratic
 
28.64%
Libertarian
 
2.99%
Up. WV
 
1.12%
Senate seats
Republican
 
88.24%
Democratic
 
11.76%

Appointments

During West Virginia's 85th Legislature (2021–2022), two senators resigned from their positions. According to §3-10-5 of West Virginia Code, vacancies in the Senate are filled through appointment by the Governor of one of three candidates chosen by the executive committee of the outgoing member's party. [10] Below is a list of appointments made during the 85th Legislature.

DistrictIncumbentPartyAppointeeRef.
Departing memberFirst electedIncoming memberAppt. date
16 John Unger 2020Dem Hannah Geffert September 29, 2021 [11]
1 William Ihlenfeld 2018Dem Owens Brown October 7, 2021 [12]

Close races

DistrictWinnerMargin
District 13Republican (flip)0.5%
District 5Democratic7.9%
District 8Republican (flip)13.5%

List of districts

District 1 • District 2 • District 3 • District 4 • District 5 • District 6 • District 7 • District 8 • District 9 • District 10 • District 11 • District 12 • District 13 • District 14 • District 15 • District 16 • District 17

District 1

Incumbent Owens Brown was appointed in 2021.

Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Laura Chapman 6,136 68.7
Republican Judi Meyer2,79231.3
Total votes8,928 100.0
Democratic primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Randy Swartzmiller 3,554 53.4
Democratic Owens Brown (incumbent)3,09746.6
Total votes6,651 100.0

General election

West Virginia's 1st Senate district, 2022
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Laura Chapman 18,746 60.5
Democratic Randy Swartzmiller 12,25839.5
Total votes31,004 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic

District 2

Incumbent Charles Clements was first elected in 2016.

Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Charles Clements (incumbent) 6,834 100.0
Total votes6,834 100.0
Democratic primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Eric Hayhurst 4,765 100.0
Total votes4,765 100.0

General election

West Virginia's 2nd Senate district, 2022
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Charles Clements (incumbent) 18,720 62.5
Democratic Eric Hayhurst11,21337.5
Total votes29,933 100.0
Republican hold

District 3

Incumbent Michael Azinger was first elected in 2016.

Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Michael Azinger (incumbent) 6,625 51.5
Republican John Kelly6,23048.5
Total votes12,855 100.0
Democratic primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Jody Murphy 4,077 100.0
Total votes4,077 100.0

General election

West Virginia's 3rd Senate district, 2022
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Michael Azinger (incumbent) 20,812 65.7
Democratic Jody Murphy10,86134.3
Total votes31,673 100.0
Republican hold

District 4

Incumbent Eric Tarr was first elected in 2018.

Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Eric Tarr (incumbent) 7,562 100.0
Total votes7,562 100.0

General election

West Virginia's 4th Senate district, 2022
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Eric Tarr (incumbent) 21,059 100.0
Total votes21,059 100.0
Republican hold

District 5

Incumbent Mike Woelfel was first elected in 2014.

Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Melissa Clark 3,916 100.0
Total votes3,916 100.0
Democratic primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Mike Woelfel (incumbent) 5,063 100.0
Total votes5,063 100.0

General election

West Virginia's 5th Senate district, 2022
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Mike Woelfel (incumbent) 13,542 54.0
Republican Melissa Clark11,55246.0
Total votes25,094 100.0
Democratic hold

District 6

Incumbent Mark Maynard was first elected in 2014.

Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Mark Maynard (incumbent) 3,435 59.3
Republican Sabrina Grace1,55726.9
Republican Wesley Blankenship80113.8
Total votes5,793 100.0
Democratic primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Tiffany Clemins 2,339 100.0
Total votes2,339 100.0

General election

West Virginia's 6th Senate district, 2022
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Mark Maynard (incumbent) 17,222 73.4
Democratic Tiffany Clemins6,24926.6
Total votes23,471 100.0
Republican hold

District 7

Incumbent Ron Stollings was first elected in 2006.

Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Mike Stuart 2,487 52.2
Republican Chad McCormick2,27847.8
Total votes4,765 100.0
Democratic primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Ron Stollings (incumbent) 4,962 100.0
Total votes4,962 100.0

General election

West Virginia's 7th Senate district, 2022
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Mike Stuart 13,242 58.2
Democratic Ron Stollings (incumbent)9,52641.8
Total votes22,768 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic

District 8

Incumbent Richard Lindsay was first elected in 2018.

Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Mark Hunt 2,427 46.4
Republican Joshua Higginbotham 1,78634.2
Republican Mark Mitchem1,01619.4
Total votes5,229 100.0
Democratic primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Richard Lindsay (incumbent) 5,100 100.0
Total votes5,100 100.0

General election

West Virginia's 8th Senate district, 2022
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Mark Hunt 14,615 56.8
Democratic Richard Lindsay (incumbent)11,13643.2
Total votes25,751 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic

District 9

Incumbent Rollan Roberts was first elected in 2018.

Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Rollan Roberts (incumbent) 4,597 51.7
Republican Mick Bates 4,29448.3
Total votes8,891 100.0

General election

West Virginia's 9th Senate district, 2022
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Rollan Roberts (incumbent) 18,540 78.1
Libertarian Kari Woodson5,19421.9
Total votes23,734 100.0
Republican hold

District 10

Incumbent Stephen Baldwin was appointed in 2017.

Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Vince Deeds 4,964 48.9
Republican Mike Steadham4,26542.0
Republican Thomas Perkins9319.1
Total votes10,160 100.0
Democratic primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Stephen Baldwin (incumbent) 6,210 100.0
Total votes6,210 100.0

General election

West Virginia's 10th Senate district, 2022
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Vince Deeds 18,954 58.7
Democratic Stephen Baldwin (incumbent)12,25037.9
Independent Aaron Ransom1,0853.4
Total votes32,289 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic

District 11

Incumbent Bill Hamilton was first elected in 2018.

Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Bill Hamilton (incumbent) 7,091 100.0
Total votes7,091 100.0

General election

West Virginia's 11th Senate district, 2022
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Bill Hamilton (incumbent) 23,105 100.0
Total votes23,105 100.0
Republican hold

District 12

Incumbent Mike Romano was first elected in 2014. He retired, leaving an open seat.

Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Ben Queen 6,723 100.0
Total votes6,723 100.0

General election

West Virginia's 12th Senate district, 2022
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Ben Queen 18,711 68.7
Libertarian Austin Lynch8,52931.3
Write-in 80.0
Total votes27,248 100.0
Republican hold

District 13

Incumbent Bob Beach was first elected in 2010. He retired, leaving an open seat.

Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Mike Oliverio 4,528 80.4
Republican Carly Braun1,10219.6
Total votes5,630 100.0
Democratic primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Barbara Fleischauer 5,366 82.5
Democratic Rich Jacobs1,14017.5
Total votes6,506 100.0

General election

West Virginia's 13th Senate district, 2022
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Mike Oliverio 13,495 50.3
Democratic Barbara Fleischauer13,34249.7
Total votes26,837 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic

District 14

Incumbent David Sypolt was first elected in 2006. He retired, leaving an open seat.

Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Jay Taylor 4,315 35.7
Republican J.R. Keplinger2,22918.4
Republican Angela Iman2,21718.3
Republican James Lough1,83115.1
Republican Stephen Smith1,51912.5
Total votes12,111 100.0
Democratic primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Amanda Pitzer 3,226 100.0
Total votes3,226 100.0

General election

West Virginia's 14th Senate district, 2022
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Jay Taylor 21,910 76.2
Democratic Amanda Pitzer6,85523.8
Total votes28,765 100.0
Republican hold

District 15

Incumbent Charles Trump was first elected in 2014.

Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Charles Trump (incumbent) 7,564 100.0
Total votes7,564 100.0
West Virginia's 15th Senate district, 2022
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Charles Trump (incumbent) 21,137 80.4
Upwising WVRobin Mills5,14819.6
Total votes26,285 100.0
Republican hold

District 16

Incumbent Hannah Geffert was appointed in 2021. She initially did not file for re-election, but changed her mind and entered the race. [13]

Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Jason Barrett 4,488 54.7
Republican Renee Wibly3,71545.3
Total votes8,203 100.0

General election

West Virginia's 16th Senate district, 2022
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Jason Barrett 18,672 60.5
Democratic Hannah Geffert (incumbent)12,19639.5
Total votes30,868 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic

District 17

Incumbent Tom Takubo was first elected in 2014.

Republican primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Tom Takubo (incumbent) 4,263 71.1
Republican Terry Burns1,73228.9
Total votes5,995 100.0
Democratic primary results
PartyCandidateVotes%
Democratic Samuel Wood 4,663 100.0
Total votes4,663 100.0

General election

West Virginia's 17th Senate district, 2022
PartyCandidateVotes%
Republican Tom Takubo (incumbent) 16,739 58.5
Democratic Samuel Wood11,89741.5
Total votes28,636 100.0
Republican hold

References

  1. ↑ "2022 Elections Calendar" (PDF). West Virginia Secretary of State. May 10, 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 5, 2021. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  2. ↑ McElhinny, Brad (December 1, 2022). "Republicans add one more to their mega-majority in the state Senate, as Glenn Jeffries switches". WV MetroNews. Retrieved November 10, 2024.
  3. ↑ Staff Reports. "Making it official: State Sen. Mike Romano won't run for re-election, but will instead seek Harrison County Commission seat". WV News. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  4. ↑ Wilson, Dave (October 12, 2021). "Senator Bob Beach will not seek re-election in 2022". WV MetroNews. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  5. ↑ WRITER, Theresa Marthey STAFF. "Sen. Sypolt won't seek re-election". WV News. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
  6. ↑ Jacobson, Louis (May 19, 2022). "The Battle for State Legislatures" . Retrieved May 19, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Rucker Mounting Challenge to Blair for West Virginia Senate Presidency". theintelligencer.net. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
  8. ↑ McElhinny, Brad (November 22, 2022). "Senator Rucker announces she will withdraw from challenge of Senate president". WV MetroNews. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  9. ↑ "W.Va. Senate President Blair, House Speaker Hanshaw maintain leadership roles". theintelligencer.net. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
  10. ↑ "West Virginia Code 3-10-5". West Virginia Code. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
  11. ↑ "Gov. Justice appoints Geffert to Senate in District 16". governor.wv.gov. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  12. ↑ "Gov. Justice appoints Brown to Senate in District 1". governor.wv.gov. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
  13. ↑ "Senator Hannah Geffert Says She's Will be on the Ballot in November". Morgan County USA. March 2, 2022. Retrieved September 15, 2022.
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