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]
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17 of 34 seats in the West Virginia Senate 18 seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Results of the elections: Republican gain Democratic hold Republican hold | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Retirements
editThree members of the West Virginia Senate - two Democrats, and one Republican - did not run for re-election.
Democrats
edit- District 12: Mike Romano retired to run for Harrison County Commission.[2]
- District 13: Bob Beach retired.[3]
Republicans
edit- District 14: David Sypolt retired.[4]
Incumbents defeated
editIn primaries
editDemocrats
edit- District 1: Owens Brown lost renomination to former delegate Randy Swartzmiller.
In general elections
editDemocrats
edit- District 7: Ron Stollings lost re-election to Mike Stuart.
- District 8: Richard Lindsay lost re-election to Mark Hunt.
- District 10: Stephen Baldwin lost re-election to Vince Deeds.
- District 16: Hannah Geffert lost re-election to Jason Barrett.
Seats for election
editIn 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.
District | Incumbent | Elected Senator | Result | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Member | Party | ||
District 1 | Owens Brown | Democratic | 2021 (appointed) | Laura Chapman | Republican | Republican gain |
District 2 | Charles Clements | Republican | 2017 (appointed) | Charles Clements | Republican | Republican hold |
District 3 | Mike Azinger | Republican | 2016 | Mike Azinger | Republican | Republican hold |
District 4 | Eric Tarr | Republican | 2018 | Eric Tarr | Republican | Republican hold |
District 5 | Mike Woelfel | Democratic | 2014 | Mike Woelfel | Democratic | Democratic hold |
District 6 | Mark Maynard | Republican | 2014 | Mark Maynard | Republican | Republican hold |
District 7 | Ron Stollings | Democratic | 2006 | Mike Stuart | Republican | Republican gain |
District 8 | Richard Lindsay | Democratic | 2018 | Mark Hunt | Republican | Republican gain |
District 9 | Rollan Roberts | Republican | 2018 | Rollan Roberts | Republican | Republican hold |
District 10 | Stephen Baldwin | Democratic | 2017 (appointed) | Vince Deeds | Republican | Republican gain |
District 11 | Bill Hamilton | Republican | 2018 | Bill Hamilton | Republican | Republican hold |
District 12 | Mike Romano | Democratic | 2014 | Ben Queen | Republican | Republican gain |
District 13 | Bob Beach | Democratic | 2010 | Mike Oliverio | Republican | Republican gain |
District 14 | David Sypolt | Republican | 2006 | Jay Taylor | Republican | Republican hold |
District 15 | Charles Trump | Republican | 2014 | Charles Trump | Republican | Republican hold |
District 16 | Hannah Geffert | Democratic | 2021 (appointed) | Jason Barrett | Republican | Republican gain |
District 17 | Tom Takubo | Republican | 2014 | Tom Takubo | Republican | Republican hold |
Predictions
editSource | Ranking | As of |
---|---|---|
Sabato's Crystal Ball[5] | Safe R | May 19, 2022 |
Senate President Election
editThe 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.[6] On November 22, Rucker withdrew her bid.[7]
On December 4, 2022, Blair was renominated as President of the Senate, unopposed.[8]
At the convening of the 86th Legislature on January 11, 2023, Blair was re-elected by acclamation.
Overview
editIn 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.
30 | 4 |
Republican | Dem. |
2022 West Virginia Senate election | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Party | Races Won | Votes | Percentage | % change | Seats
before |
Seats
after |
+/– | ||
Republican | 16 | 307,201 | 67.01% | 23 | 30 | ||||
Democratic | 1 | 131,305 | 28.64% | 11 | 4 | ||||
Libertarian | 0 | 13,723 | 2.99% | 0 | 0 | ||||
Upwising WV | 0 | 5,148 | 1.12% | 0 | 0 | ||||
Independent | 0 | 1,085 | 0.24% | 0 | 0 | ||||
Totals | 17 | 458,462 | 100.00% | — | 34 | 34 | — | ||
Turnout | 39.76% |
Appointments
editDuring 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.[9] Below is a list of appointments made during the 85th Legislature.
District | Incumbent | Party | Appointee | Ref. | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Departing member | First elected | Incoming member | Appt. date | |||
16 | John Unger | 2020 | Dem | Hannah Geffert | September 29, 2021 | [10] |
1 | William Ihlenfeld | 2018 | Dem | Owens Brown | October 7, 2021 | [11] |
Close races
editDistrict | Winner | Margin |
---|---|---|
District 13 | Republican (flip) | 0.5% |
District 5 | Democratic | 7.9% |
District 8 | Republican (flip) | 13.5% |
List of districts
editDistrict 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
editIncumbent Owens Brown was appointed in 2021.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Laura Chapman | 6,136 | 68.7 | |
Republican | Judi Meyer | 2,792 | 31.3 | |
Total votes | 8,928 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Randy Swartzmiller | 3,554 | 53.4 | |
Democratic | Owens Brown (incumbent) | 3,097 | 46.6 | |
Total votes | 6,651 | 100.0 |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Laura Chapman | 18,746 | 60.5 | |
Democratic | Randy Swartzmiller | 12,258 | 39.5 | |
Total votes | 31,004 | 100.0 | ||
Republican gain from Democratic |
District 2
editIncumbent Charles Clements was first elected in 2016.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Charles Clements (incumbent) | 6,834 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 6,834 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Eric Hayhurst | 4,765 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 4,765 | 100.0 |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Charles Clements (incumbent) | 18,720 | 62.5 | |
Democratic | Eric Hayhurst | 11,213 | 37.5 | |
Total votes | 29,933 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold |
District 3
editIncumbent Michael Azinger was first elected in 2016.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Michael Azinger (incumbent) | 6,625 | 51.5 | |
Republican | John Kelly | 6,230 | 48.5 | |
Total votes | 12,855 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Jody Murphy | 4,077 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 4,077 | 100.0 |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Michael Azinger (incumbent) | 20,812 | 65.7 | |
Democratic | Jody Murphy | 10,861 | 34.3 | |
Total votes | 31,673 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold |
District 4
editIncumbent Eric Tarr was first elected in 2018.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Eric Tarr (incumbent) | 7,562 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 7,562 | 100.0 |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Eric Tarr (incumbent) | 21,059 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 21,059 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold |
District 5
editIncumbent Mike Woelfel was first elected in 2014.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Melissa Clark | 3,916 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 3,916 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Mike Woelfel (incumbent) | 5,063 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 5,063 | 100.0 |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Mike Woelfel (incumbent) | 13,542 | 54.0 | |
Republican | Melissa Clark | 11,552 | 46.0 | |
Total votes | 25,094 | 100.0 | ||
Democratic hold |
District 6
editIncumbent Mark Maynard was first elected in 2014.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Mark Maynard (incumbent) | 3,435 | 59.3 | |
Republican | Sabrina Grace | 1,557 | 26.9 | |
Republican | Wesley Blankenship | 801 | 13.8 | |
Total votes | 5,793 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Tiffany Clemins | 2,339 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 2,339 | 100.0 |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Mark Maynard (incumbent) | 17,222 | 73.4 | |
Democratic | Tiffany Clemins | 6,249 | 26.6 | |
Total votes | 23,471 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold |
District 7
editIncumbent Ron Stollings was first elected in 2006.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Mike Stuart | 2,487 | 52.2 | |
Republican | Chad McCormick | 2,278 | 47.8 | |
Total votes | 4,765 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Ron Stollings (incumbent) | 4,962 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 4,962 | 100.0 |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Mike Stuart | 13,242 | 58.2 | |
Democratic | Ron Stollings (incumbent) | 9,526 | 41.8 | |
Total votes | 22,768 | 100.0 | ||
Republican gain from Democratic |
District 8
editIncumbent Richard Lindsay was first elected in 2018.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Mark Hunt | 2,427 | 46.4 | |
Republican | Joshua Higginbotham | 1,786 | 34.2 | |
Republican | Mark Mitchem | 1,016 | 19.4 | |
Total votes | 5,229 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Richard Lindsay (incumbent) | 5,100 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 5,100 | 100.0 |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Mark Hunt | 14,615 | 56.8 | |
Democratic | Richard Lindsay (incumbent) | 11,136 | 43.2 | |
Total votes | 25,751 | 100.0 | ||
Republican gain from Democratic |
District 9
editIncumbent Rollan Roberts was first elected in 2018.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Rollan Roberts (incumbent) | 4,597 | 51.7 | |
Republican | Mick Bates | 4,294 | 48.3 | |
Total votes | 8,891 | 100.0 |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Rollan Roberts (incumbent) | 18,540 | 78.1 | |
Libertarian | Kari Woodson | 5,194 | 21.9 | |
Total votes | 23,734 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold |
District 10
editIncumbent Stephen Baldwin was appointed in 2017.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Vince Deeds | 4,964 | 48.9 | |
Republican | Mike Steadham | 4,265 | 42.0 | |
Republican | Thomas Perkins | 931 | 9.1 | |
Total votes | 10,160 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Stephen Baldwin (incumbent) | 6,210 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 6,210 | 100.0 |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Vince Deeds | 18,954 | 58.7 | |
Democratic | Stephen Baldwin (incumbent) | 12,250 | 37.9 | |
Independent | Aaron Ransom | 1,085 | 3.4 | |
Total votes | 32,289 | 100.0 | ||
Republican gain from Democratic |
District 11
editIncumbent Bill Hamilton was first elected in 2018.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Bill Hamilton (incumbent) | 7,091 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 7,091 | 100.0 |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Bill Hamilton (incumbent) | 23,105 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 23,105 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold |
District 12
editIncumbent Mike Romano was first elected in 2014. He retired, leaving an open seat.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Ben Queen | 6,723 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 6,723 | 100.0 |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Ben Queen | 18,711 | 68.7 | |
Libertarian | Austin Lynch | 8,529 | 31.3 | |
Write-in | 8 | 0.0 | ||
Total votes | 27,248 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold |
District 13
editIncumbent Bob Beach was first elected in 2010. He retired, leaving an open seat.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Mike Oliverio | 4,528 | 80.4 | |
Republican | Carly Braun | 1,102 | 19.6 | |
Total votes | 5,630 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Barbara Fleischauer | 5,366 | 82.5 | |
Democratic | Rich Jacobs | 1,140 | 17.5 | |
Total votes | 6,506 | 100.0 |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Mike Oliverio | 13,495 | 50.3 | |
Democratic | Barbara Fleischauer | 13,342 | 49.7 | |
Total votes | 26,837 | 100.0 | ||
Republican gain from Democratic |
District 14
editIncumbent David Sypolt was first elected in 2006. He retired, leaving an open seat.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Jay Taylor | 4,315 | 35.7 | |
Republican | J.R. Keplinger | 2,229 | 18.4 | |
Republican | Angela Iman | 2,217 | 18.3 | |
Republican | James Lough | 1,831 | 15.1 | |
Republican | Stephen Smith | 1,519 | 12.5 | |
Total votes | 12,111 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Amanda Pitzer | 3,226 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 3,226 | 100.0 |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Jay Taylor | 21,910 | 76.2 | |
Democratic | Amanda Pitzer | 6,855 | 23.8 | |
Total votes | 28,765 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold |
District 15
editIncumbent Charles Trump was first elected in 2014.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Charles Trump (incumbent) | 7,564 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 7,564 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Charles Trump (incumbent) | 21,137 | 80.4 | |
Upwising WV | Robin Mills | 5,148 | 19.6 | |
Total votes | 26,285 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold |
District 16
editIncumbent Hannah Geffert was appointed in 2021. She initially did not file for re-election, but changed her mind and entered the race.[12]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Jason Barrett | 4,488 | 54.7 | |
Republican | Renee Wibly | 3,715 | 45.3 | |
Total votes | 8,203 | 100.0 |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Jason Barrett | 18,672 | 60.5 | |
Democratic | Hannah Geffert (incumbent) | 12,196 | 39.5 | |
Total votes | 30,868 | 100.0 | ||
Republican gain from Democratic |
District 17
editIncumbent Tom Takubo was first elected in 2014.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Tom Takubo (incumbent) | 4,263 | 71.1 | |
Republican | Terry Burns | 1,732 | 28.9 | |
Total votes | 5,995 | 100.0 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Samuel Wood | 4,663 | 100.0 | |
Total votes | 4,663 | 100.0 |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Tom Takubo (incumbent) | 16,739 | 58.5 | |
Democratic | Samuel Wood | 11,897 | 41.5 | |
Total votes | 28,636 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold |
References
edit- ^ "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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Wilson, Dave (October 12, 2021). "Senator Bob Beach will not seek re-election in 2022". WV MetroNews. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- ^ WRITER, Theresa Marthey STAFF. "Sen. Sypolt won't seek re-election". WV News. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
- ^ Jacobson, Louis (May 19, 2022). "The Battle for State Legislatures". Retrieved May 19, 2022.
- ^ "Rucker Mounting Challenge to Blair for West Virginia Senate Presidency". theintelligencer.net. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
- ^ McElhinny, Brad (November 22, 2022). "Senator Rucker announces she will withdraw from challenge of Senate president". WV MetroNews. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
- ^ "W.Va. Senate President Blair, House Speaker Hanshaw maintain leadership roles". theintelligencer.net. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
- ^ "West Virginia Code 3-10-5". West Virginia Code. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
- ^ "Gov. Justice appoints Geffert to Senate in District 16". governor.wv.gov. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
- ^ "Gov. Justice appoints Brown to Senate in District 1". governor.wv.gov. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
- ^ "Senator Hannah Geffert Says She's Will be on the Ballot in November". Morgan County USA. March 2, 2022. Retrieved September 15, 2022.