2022 West Virginia Senate election

2022 West Virginia Senate elections
November 8, 2022
17 of 34 seats in the West Virginia Senate
18 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
GOP
DEM
Leader Craig Blair Stephen Baldwin
(lost re-election)
Party Republican Democratic
Leader since January 13, 2021 January 13, 2021
Leader's seat 15th district 10th district
Seats before 23 11
Seats after 30 4
Seat change 7 7
Popular vote 307,201 131,305
Percentage 67.0% 28.6%
Swing 5.8% 7.5%
Seats up 9 8
Races won 16 1
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

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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]

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.

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

Source Ranking As of
Sabato's Crystal Ball[6] Safe R May 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.

↓
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% 5.8% 23 30 7
Democratic 1 131,305 28.64% 7.5% 11 4 7
Libertarian 0 13,723 2.99% 2.3% 0 0
Upwising WV 0 5,148 1.12% 1.1% 0 0
Independent 0 1,085 0.24% 0.2% 0 0
Totals 17 458,462 100.00% — 34 34 —
Turnout 39.76% 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.

District Incumbent Party Appointee Ref.
Departing member First elected Incoming member Appt. date
16 John Unger 2020 Dem Hannah Geffert September 29, 2021 [11]
1 William Ihlenfeld 2018 Dem Owens Brown October 7, 2021 [12]

Close races

District Winner Margin
District 13 Republican (flip) 0.5%
District 5 Democratic 7.9%
District 8 Republican (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
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Laura Chapman 6,136 68.7
Republican Judi Meyer 2,792 31.3
Total votes 8,928 100.0
Democratic primary results
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

West Virginia's 1st Senate district, 2022
Party 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

Incumbent Charles Clements was first elected in 2016.

Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charles Clements (incumbent) 6,834 100.0
Total votes 6,834 100.0
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Eric Hayhurst 4,765 100.0
Total votes 4,765 100.0

General election

West Virginia's 2nd Senate district, 2022
Party 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

Incumbent Michael Azinger was first elected in 2016.

Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Michael Azinger (incumbent) 6,625 51.5
Republican John Kelly 6,230 48.5
Total votes 12,855 100.0
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Jody Murphy 4,077 100.0
Total votes 4,077 100.0

General election

West Virginia's 3rd Senate district, 2022
Party 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

Incumbent Eric Tarr was first elected in 2018.

Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Eric Tarr (incumbent) 7,562 100.0
Total votes 7,562 100.0

General election

West Virginia's 4th Senate district, 2022
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Eric Tarr (incumbent) 21,059 100.0
Total votes 21,059 100.0
Republican hold

District 5

Incumbent Mike Woelfel was first elected in 2014.

Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Melissa Clark 3,916 100.0
Total votes 3,916 100.0
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Mike Woelfel (incumbent) 5,063 100.0
Total votes 5,063 100.0

General election

West Virginia's 5th Senate district, 2022
Party 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

Incumbent Mark Maynard was first elected in 2014.

Republican primary results
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
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Tiffany Clemins 2,339 100.0
Total votes 2,339 100.0

General election

West Virginia's 6th Senate district, 2022
Party 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

Incumbent Ron Stollings was first elected in 2006.

Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mike Stuart 2,487 52.2
Republican Chad McCormick 2,278 47.8
Total votes 4,765 100.0
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Ron Stollings (incumbent) 4,962 100.0
Total votes 4,962 100.0

General election

West Virginia's 7th Senate district, 2022
Party 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

Incumbent Richard Lindsay was first elected in 2018.

Republican primary results
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
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Richard Lindsay (incumbent) 5,100 100.0
Total votes 5,100 100.0

General election

West Virginia's 8th Senate district, 2022
Party 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

Incumbent Rollan Roberts was first elected in 2018.

Republican primary results
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

West Virginia's 9th Senate district, 2022
Party 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

Incumbent Stephen Baldwin was appointed in 2017.

Republican primary results
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
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Stephen Baldwin (incumbent) 6,210 100.0
Total votes 6,210 100.0

General election

West Virginia's 10th Senate district, 2022
Party 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

Incumbent Bill Hamilton was first elected in 2018.

Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bill Hamilton (incumbent) 7,091 100.0
Total votes 7,091 100.0

General election

West Virginia's 11th Senate district, 2022
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Bill Hamilton (incumbent) 23,105 100.0
Total votes 23,105 100.0
Republican hold

District 12

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

Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Ben Queen 6,723 100.0
Total votes 6,723 100.0

General election

West Virginia's 12th Senate district, 2022
Party 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

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

Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Mike Oliverio 4,528 80.4
Republican Carly Braun 1,102 19.6
Total votes 5,630 100.0
Democratic primary results
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

West Virginia's 13th Senate district, 2022
Party 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

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

Republican primary results
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
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Amanda Pitzer 3,226 100.0
Total votes 3,226 100.0

General election

West Virginia's 14th Senate district, 2022
Party 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

Incumbent Charles Trump was first elected in 2014.

Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Charles Trump (incumbent) 7,564 100.0
Total votes 7,564 100.0
West Virginia's 15th Senate district, 2022
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

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
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

West Virginia's 16th Senate district, 2022
Party 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

Incumbent Tom Takubo was first elected in 2014.

Republican primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Tom Takubo (incumbent) 4,263 71.1
Republican Terry Burns 1,732 28.9
Total votes 5,995 100.0
Democratic primary results
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Samuel Wood 4,663 100.0
Total votes 4,663 100.0

General election

West Virginia's 17th Senate district, 2022
Party 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

  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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