# 2012 Delaware Senate election

The 2012 Delaware Senate election was held on November 6, 2012 to elect all 21 members of the Delaware Senate. The election coincided with the elections for other offices, including the Presidency, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Governor, and state house. The primary election was held on September 11, 2012.

## Results summary

| District | Incumbent | Party | Party | Elected Senator | Party |
| 1 | Harris McDowell III | | Dem | Harris McDowell III | Dem |
| 2 | Margaret Rose Henry | | Dem | Margaret Rose Henry | Dem |
| 3 | Robert Marshall | | Dem | Robert Marshall | Dem |
| 4 | Michael Katz | | Dem | Gregory Lavelle | Rep |
| 4 | Liane Sorenson | | Rep | Gregory Lavelle | Rep |
| 5 | Catherine Cloutier | | Rep | Catherine Cloutier | Rep |
| 6 | New Seat | New Seat | New Seat | Ernesto Lopez | Rep |
| 7 | Patti Blevins | | Dem | Patti Blevins | Dem |
| 8 | David Sokola | | Dem | David Sokola | Dem |
| 9 | Karen Peterson | | Dem | Karen Peterson | Dem |
| 10 | Bethany Hall-Long | | Dem | Bethany Hall-Long | Dem |
| 11 | Tony DeLuca | | Dem | Bryan Townsend | Dem |
| 12 | Dorinda Connor | | Rep | Nicole Poore | Dem |
| 13 | David McBride | | Dem | David McBride | Dem |
| 14 | Bruce Ennis | | Dem | Bruce Ennis | Dem |
| 15 | David Lawson | | Rep | David Lawson | Rep |
| 16 | Colin Bonini | | Rep | Colin Bonini | Rep |
| 17 | Brian Bushweller | | Dem | Brian Bushweller | Dem |
| 18 | Gary Simpson | | Rep | Gary Simpson | Rep |
| 19 | Joseph Booth | | Rep | Brian Pettyjohn | Rep |
| 20 | George Bunting | | Dem | Gerald Hocker | Rep |
| 21 | Robert Venables Sr. | | Dem | Robert Venables Sr. | Dem |
| Party | Party | Candi- dates | Votes | Votes | Seats | Seats | Seats |
| Party | Party | Candi- dates | No. | % | No. | +/– | % |
| | Democratic | 19 | 225,241 | 62.50% | 13 | 1 | 61.90% |
| | Republican | 13 | 127,505 | 35.38% | 8 | 1 | 38.10% |
| | Independent | 3 | 4,734 | 1.31% | 0 | | 0.00 |
| | Libertarian | 6 | 2,887 | 0.80% | 0 | | 0.00 |
| Total | Total | 41 | 360,367 | 100% | 21 | | 100 |
Popular vote
Democratic
62.50%
Republican
35.38%
Independent
1.31%
Libertarian
0.80% :
Senate seats
Democratic
61.90%
Republican
38.10% :

## Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| Governing | Safe D | October 24, 2012 |

## Detailed results
### District 1

Incumbent Democrat Harris McDowell III has represented the 1st district since 1977.
Delaware Senate 1st district Democratic primary election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Harris McDowell III (incumbent) | 2,342 | 52.24% |
| | Democratic | David D. Brady | 1,613 | 35.98% |
| | Democratic | James Martin | 528 | 11.78% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 4,483 | 100% |
Delaware Senate 1st district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Harris McDowell III (incumbent) | 15,155 | 85.31% |
| | Independent Party | Robert Clark | 2,054 | 11.56% |
| | Libertarian | Bryan Lintz | 555 | 3.12% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 17,764 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 2

Incumbent Democrat Margaret Rose Henry has represented the 2nd district since 1994.
Delaware Senate 2nd district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Margaret Rose Henry (incumbent) | 15,197 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 15,197 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 3

Incumbent Democrat Robert Marshall has represented the 3rd district since 1979.
Delaware Senate 3rd district Democratic primary election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Robert Marshall (incumbent) | 2,504 | 62.21% |
| | Democratic | Eric M. Anderson | 912 | 22.66% |
| | Democratic | Timothy J. Meades Sr. | 609 | 15.13% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 4,025 | 100% |
Delaware Senate 3rd district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Robert Marshall (incumbent) | 12,322 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 12,322 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 4

The new 4th district includes the homes of incumbent Democrat Michael Katz, who has represented the 4th district since 2009, and Republican Liane Sorenson, who has represented the 6th district since 1995. Sorenson didn't seek re-election. Katz lost re-election here to Republican Gregory Lavelle.
Delaware Senate 4th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Gregory Lavelle | 11,970 | 50.79% |
| | Democratic | Michael Katz (incumbent) | 11,188 | 47.47% |
| | Libertarian | Marcia Groff | 410 | 1.74% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 23,568 | 100% |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 5

Incumbent Republican Catherine Cloutier has represented the 5th district since 2001.
Delaware Senate 5th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Catherine Cloutier (incumbent) | 12,912 | 56.20% |
| | Democratic | Christopher R. Counihan | 10,062 | 43.80% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 22,974 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 6

The new 6th district is based in the Cape Region in costal Sussex County, and includes Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, and Milton. The district has no incumbent. Republican Ernesto Lopez won the open seat.
Delaware Senate 6th district Democratic primary election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Andrew W. Staton | 2,088 | 58.05% |
| | Democratic | Robert G. Frederick | 814 | 22.63% |
| | Democratic | Micheal C. Miller Sr. | 695 | 19.32% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,597 | 100% |
Delaware Senate 6th district Republican primary election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ernesto Lopez | 2,163 | 54.87% |
| | Republican | Glen Urquhart | 1,779 | 45.13% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,942 | 100% |
Delaware Senate 6th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Ernesto Lopez | 13,603 | 56.12% |
| | Democratic | Andrew W. Staton | 10,352 | 42.70% |
| | Libertarian | Gwendolyn M. Jones | 286 | 1.18% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 24,241 | 100% |
| | Republican win (new seat) | Republican win (new seat) | Republican win (new seat) | Republican win (new seat) |

### District 7

Incumbent Democrat Patti Blevins has represented the 7th district since 1991.
Delaware Senate 7th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Patti Blevins (incumbent) | 13,756 | 92.35% |
| | Libertarian | James Christina | 1,139 | 7.65% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 14,895 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 8

Incumbent Democrat David Sokola has represented the 8th district since 1991.
Delaware Senate 8th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | David Sokola (incumbent) | 10,099 | 60.71% |
| | Republican | William Stritzinger | 6,535 | 39.29% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 16,634 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 9

Incumbent Democrat Karen Peterson has represented the 9th district since 2003.
Delaware Senate 9th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Karen Peterson (incumbent) | 13,941 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 13,941 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 10

Incumbent Democrat Bethany Hall-Long has represented the 10th district since 2009.
Delaware Senate 10th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Bethany Hall-Long (incumbent) | 16,498 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 16,498 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 11

Incumbent Democratic President pro tempore Tony DeLuca has represented the 11th district since 1999. DeLuca lost re-nomination to fellow Democrat Bryan Townsend. Townsend won the general election.
Delaware Senate 11th district Democratic primary election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Bryan Townsend | 1,441 | 57.76% |
| | Democratic | Tony DeLuca (incumbent) | 1,054 | 42.24% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,495 | 100% |
Delaware Senate 11th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Bryan Townsend | 12,860 | 78.37% |
| | Republican | Evan Queitsch | 3,550 | 21.63% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 16,410 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 12

Incumbent Republican Dorinda Connor has represented the 12th district since 1997. Connor lost re-election to Democrat Nicole Poore.
Delaware Senate 12th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Nicole Poore | 12,875 | 60.29% |
| | Republican | Dorinda Connor (incumbent) | 8,170 | 38.26% |
| | Libertarian | Brad Thomas | 310 | 1.45% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 21,355 | 100% |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 13

Incumbent Democratic Majority Leader David McBride has represented the 13th district since 1979.
Delaware Senate 13th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | David McBride (incumbent) | 14,444 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 14,444 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 14

Incumbent Democrat Bruce Ennis has represented the 14th district since 2007.
Delaware Senate 14th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Bruce Ennis (incumbent) | 12,031 | 61.12% |
| | Republican | Scott Unruh | 7,652 | 38.88% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 19,683 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 15

Incumbent Republican David Lawson has represented the 15th district since 2011.
Delaware Senate 15th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | David Lawson (incumbent) | 9,547 | 50.58% |
| | Democratic | Kathleen Cooke | 9,004 | 47.70% |
| | Independent Party | Catherine Samardza | 324 | 1.72% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 18,875 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 16

Incumbent Republican Colin Bonini has represented the 16th district since 1995.
Delaware Senate 16th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Colin Bonini (incumbent) | 9,372 | 79.91% |
| | Independent Party | Michael Tedesco | 2,356 | 20.09% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 11,728 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 17

Incumbent Democrat Brian Bushweller has represented the 17th district since 2009.
Delaware Senate 17th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Brian Bushweller (incumbent) | 13,161 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 13,161 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 18

Incumbent Republican Minority Leader Gary Simpson has represented the 18th district since 1999.
Delaware Senate 18th district Republican primary election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Gary Simpson (incumbent) | 1,515 | 68.03% |
| | Republican | Matthew A. Opaliski | 712 | 31.97% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,227 | 100% |
Delaware Senate 18th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Gary Simpson (incumbent) | 13,198 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 13,198 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 19

Incumbent Republican Joseph Booth has represented the 19th district since 2009. Booth lost re-nomination to fellow Republican Eric Bodenweiser. Bodenweiser later withdrew from the general election and was replaced on the ballot by Brian Pettyjohn. Pettyjohn won the general election.
Delaware Senate 19th district Republican primary election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Eric Bodenweiser | 1,736 | 52.75% |
| | Republican | Joseph Booth (incumbent) | 1,555 | 47.25% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,291 | 100% |
Delaware Senate 19th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Brian Pettyjohn | 9,817 | 59.78% |
| | Democratic | Jane E. Hovington | 6,605 | 40.22% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 16,422 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 20

Incumbent Democrat George Bunting has represented the 20th district since 1997. Bunting retired and Republican Gerald Hocker won the open seat.
Delaware Senate 20th district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Gerald Hocker | 14,290 | 67.96% |
| | Democratic | Richard Eakle | 6,736 | 32.04% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 21,026 | 100% |
| | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic | Republican gain from Democratic |

### District 21

Incumbent Democrat Robert Venables Sr. has represented the 21st district since 1989.
Delaware Senate 21st district general election, 2012 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Robert Venables Sr. (incumbent) | 8,955 | 55.86% |
| | Republican | Bryant Richardson | 6,889 | 42.97% |
| | Libertarian | John F. Potter | 187 | 1.17% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 16,031 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |