# 2022 West Virginia Senate election

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vte :
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.
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.

## Retirements

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

### Democrats

* District 12: Mike Romano retired to run for Harrison County Commission.
* District 13: Bob Beach retired.

### Republicans

* District 14: David Sypolt retired.

## Incumbents defeated
### In primaries
#### Democrats

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

### In general elections
#### Democrats

* 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

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 | Incumbent | Incumbent | Elected Senator | Elected Senator | Result |
| District | Member | Party | First elected | Member | Party | Result |
| 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 | 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. On November 22, Rucker withdrew her bid.
On December 4, 2022, Blair was renominated as President of the Senate, unopposed.
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 | 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 | Totals | 17 | 458,462 | 100.00% | — | 34 | 34 | — |
| Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | Turnout | 39.76% | 23.5% | 34 | 34 | — |
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. Below is a list of appointments made during the 85th Legislature.
| District | Incumbent | Incumbent | Party | Appointee | Appointee | Ref. |
| District | Departing member | First elected | Party | Incoming member | Appt. date | Ref. |
| 16 | John Unger | 2020 | Dem | Hannah Geffert | September 29, 2021 | |
| 1 | William Ihlenfeld | 2018 | Dem | Owens Brown | October 7, 2021 | |

## 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

Incumbent Owens Brown was appointed in 2021.
Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Laura Chapman | 6,136 | 68.7 |
| | Republican | Judi Meyer | 2,792 | 31.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,928 | 100.0 |
Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Randy Swartzmiller | 3,554 | 53.4 |
| | Democratic | Owens Brown (incumbent) | 3,097 | 46.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 6,651 | 100.0 |

#### General election

West Virginia's 1st Senate district, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Laura Chapman | 18,746 | 60.5 |
| | Democratic | Randy Swartzmiller | 12,258 | 39.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 31,004 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 2

Incumbent Charles Clements was first elected in 2016.
Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Charles Clements (incumbent) | 6,834 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 6,834 | 100.0 |
Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Eric Hayhurst | 4,765 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 4,765 | 100.0 |

#### General election

West Virginia's 2nd Senate district, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Charles Clements (incumbent) | 18,720 | 62.5 |
| | Democratic | Eric Hayhurst | 11,213 | 37.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 29,933 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 3

Incumbent Michael Azinger was first elected in 2016.
Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Michael Azinger (incumbent) | 6,625 | 51.5 |
| | Republican | John Kelly | 6,230 | 48.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 12,855 | 100.0 |
Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jody Murphy | 4,077 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 4,077 | 100.0 |

#### General election

West Virginia's 3rd Senate district, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Michael Azinger (incumbent) | 20,812 | 65.7 |
| | Democratic | Jody Murphy | 10,861 | 34.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 31,673 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 4

Incumbent Eric Tarr was first elected in 2018.
Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Eric Tarr (incumbent) | 7,562 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,562 | 100.0 |

#### General election

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

### District 5

Incumbent Mike Woelfel was first elected in 2014.
Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Melissa Clark | 3,916 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,916 | 100.0 |
Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Mike Woelfel (incumbent) | 5,063 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 5,063 | 100.0 |

#### General election

West Virginia's 5th Senate district, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Mike Woelfel (incumbent) | 13,542 | 54.0 |
| | Republican | Melissa Clark | 11,552 | 46.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 25,094 | 100.0 |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 6

Incumbent Mark Maynard was first elected in 2014.
Republican primary results :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 5,793 | 100.0 |
Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Tiffany Clemins | 2,339 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,339 | 100.0 |

#### General election

West Virginia's 6th Senate district, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mark Maynard (incumbent) | 17,222 | 73.4 |
| | Democratic | Tiffany Clemins | 6,249 | 26.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,471 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 7

Incumbent Ron Stollings was first elected in 2006.
Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mike Stuart | 2,487 | 52.2 |
| | Republican | Chad McCormick | 2,278 | 47.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 4,765 | 100.0 |
Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Ron Stollings (incumbent) | 4,962 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 4,962 | 100.0 |

#### General election

West Virginia's 7th Senate district, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mike Stuart | 13,242 | 58.2 |
| | Democratic | Ron Stollings (incumbent) | 9,526 | 41.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,768 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 8

Incumbent Richard Lindsay was first elected in 2018.
Republican primary results :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 5,229 | 100.0 |
Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Richard Lindsay (incumbent) | 5,100 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 5,100 | 100.0 |

#### General election

West Virginia's 8th Senate district, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mark Hunt | 14,615 | 56.8 |
| | Democratic | Richard Lindsay (incumbent) | 11,136 | 43.2 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 25,751 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 9

Incumbent Rollan Roberts was first elected in 2018.
Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Rollan Roberts (incumbent) | 4,597 | 51.7 |
| | Republican | Mick Bates | 4,294 | 48.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,891 | 100.0 |

#### General election

West Virginia's 9th Senate district, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Rollan Roberts (incumbent) | 18,540 | 78.1 |
| | Libertarian | Kari Woodson | 5,194 | 21.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,734 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 10

Incumbent Stephen Baldwin was appointed in 2017.
Republican primary results :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 10,160 | 100.0 |
Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Stephen Baldwin (incumbent) | 6,210 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 6,210 | 100.0 |

#### General election

West Virginia's 10th Senate district, 2022 :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 32,289 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 11

Incumbent Bill Hamilton was first elected in 2018.
Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Bill Hamilton (incumbent) | 7,091 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,091 | 100.0 |

#### General election

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

### District 12

Incumbent Mike Romano was first elected in 2014. He retired, leaving an open seat.
Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ben Queen | 6,723 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 6,723 | 100.0 |

#### General election

West Virginia's 12th Senate district, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ben Queen | 18,711 | 68.7 |
| | Libertarian | Austin Lynch | 8,529 | 31.3 |
| | Write-in | Write-in | 8 | 0.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 27,248 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 13

Incumbent Bob Beach was first elected in 2010. He retired, leaving an open seat.
Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mike Oliverio | 4,528 | 80.4 |
| | Republican | Carly Braun | 1,102 | 19.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 5,630 | 100.0 |
Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Barbara Fleischauer | 5,366 | 82.5 |
| | Democratic | Rich Jacobs | 1,140 | 17.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 6,506 | 100.0 |

#### General election

West Virginia's 13th Senate district, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Mike Oliverio | 13,495 | 50.3 |
| | Democratic | Barbara Fleischauer | 13,342 | 49.7 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 26,837 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 14

Incumbent David Sypolt was first elected in 2006. He retired, leaving an open seat.
Republican primary results :
| Party | 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 | Total votes | Total votes | 12,111 | 100.0 |
Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Amanda Pitzer | 3,226 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,226 | 100.0 |

#### General election

West Virginia's 14th Senate district, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jay Taylor | 21,910 | 76.2 |
| | Democratic | Amanda Pitzer | 6,855 | 23.8 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 28,765 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 15

Incumbent Charles Trump was first elected in 2014.
Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Charles Trump (incumbent) | 7,564 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,564 | 100.0 |
West Virginia's 15th Senate district, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Charles Trump (incumbent) | 21,137 | 80.4 |
| | Upwising WV | Robin Mills | 5,148 | 19.6 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 26,285 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | 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.
Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jason Barrett | 4,488 | 54.7 |
| | Republican | Renee Wibly | 3,715 | 45.3 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,203 | 100.0 |

#### General election

West Virginia's 16th Senate district, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Jason Barrett | 18,672 | 60.5 |
| | Democratic | Hannah Geffert (incumbent) | 12,196 | 39.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 30,868 | 100.0 |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 17

Incumbent Tom Takubo was first elected in 2014.
Republican primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Tom Takubo (incumbent) | 4,263 | 71.1 |
| | Republican | Terry Burns | 1,732 | 28.9 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 5,995 | 100.0 |
Democratic primary results :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Samuel Wood | 4,663 | 100.0 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 4,663 | 100.0 |

#### General election

West Virginia's 17th Senate district, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Tom Takubo (incumbent) | 16,739 | 58.5 |
| | Democratic | Samuel Wood | 11,897 | 41.5 |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 28,636 | 100.0 |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |