# 2022 Delaware Senate election

"none" is preferred when the title is already sufficiently detailed; see [[WP:SDNONE]]
The 2022 Delaware Senate election were held on November 8, 2022, concurrently with the elections for the Delaware House of Representatives, to elect members to the Delaware General Assembly. All of the 21 seats in the Delaware Senate were up for election. The Democratic and Republican primaries were held on September 13, 2022.
Democrats gained one seat, increasing their supermajority to 15 out of 21 seats.

## Background
### Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| Sabato's Crystal Ball | Safe D | May 19, 2022 |

## Overview

Seats :
| Party | Party | Candidates | No. | % | Before | After | +/– |
| | Democratic | 16 | 144,368 | 51.85 | 14 | 15 | 1 |
| | Republican | 14 | 132,293 | 47.51 | 7 | 6 | 1 |
| | Independent | 0 | 1,257 | 0.45 | 0 | 0 | |
| | Libertarian | 1 | 541 | 0.19 | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | Total | Total | 278,459 | 100.00 | 21 | 21 | |

### Summary by district

| District | Incumbent | Party | Elected Senator | Party |
| 1st | Sarah McBride | Dem | Sarah McBride | Dem |
| 2nd | Darius Brown | Dem | Darius Brown | Dem |
| 3rd | Elizabeth Lockman | Dem | Elizabeth Lockman | Dem |
| 4th | Laura Sturgeon | Dem | Laura Sturgeon | Dem |
| 5th | Kyle Evans Gay | Dem | Kyle Evans Gay | Dem |
| 6th | Ernesto Lopez | Rep | Russ Huxtable | Dem |
| 7th | Spiros Mantzavinos | Dem | Spiros Mantzavinos | Dem |
| 8th | David Sokola | Dem | David Sokola | Dem |
| 9th | Jack Walsh | Dem | Jack Walsh | Dem |
| 10th | Stephanie Hansen | Dem | Stephanie Hansen | Dem |
| 11th | Bryan Townsend | Dem | Bryan Townsend | Dem |
| 12th | Nicole Poore | Dem | Nicole Poore | Dem |
| 13th | Marie Pinkney | Dem | Marie Pinkney | Dem |
| 14th | Bruce Ennis | Dem | Kyra Hoffner | Dem |
| 15th | Dave Lawson | Rep | Dave Lawson | Rep |
| 16th | Colin Bonini | Rep | Eric Buckson | Rep |
| 17th | Trey Paradee | Dem | Trey Paradee | Dem |
| 18th | Dave Wilson | Rep | Dave Wilson | Rep |
| 19th | Brian Pettyjohn | Rep | Brian Pettyjohn | Rep |
| 20th | Gerald Hocker | Rep | Gerald Hocker | Rep |
| 21st | Bryant Richardson | Rep | Bryant Richardson | Rep |

### Closest races

Seats where the margin of victory was under 10%:
* District 6, 3.95% gain
* District 14, 2.66%

## Retiring incumbents
### Democrats

* District 14: Bruce Ennis retired.

### Republicans

* District 6: Ernesto Lopez retired.

## Incumbents defeated
### In primary elections
#### Republicans

* District 16: Colin Bonini lost renomination to Eric Buckson.

## Detailed results
### District 1

The 1st district covers the northeastern tip of New Castle County along the Delaware River, including Claymont, Bellefonte, most of Edgemoor, and parts of northern Wilmington. First-term Democratic incumbent Sarah McBride, who was elected in 2020 with 73.3% of the vote, won a second term unopposed.
Delaware Senate 1st district general election, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Sarah McBride (incumbent) | 13,204 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 13,204 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 2

The 2nd district is based in southern and eastern Wilmington along the Delaware River in New Castle County, also covering Minquadale and parts of New Castle and Edgemoor. First-term Democratic incumbent Darius Brown, who was unopposed in 2018, won a second term unopposed.
Delaware Senate 2nd district general election, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Darius Brown (incumbent) | 7,689 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,689 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 3

The 3rd district is based in downtown Wilmington, also covering some unincorporated areas to the south. First-term Democratic incumbent Elizabeth Lockman, who was unopposed in 2018, won a second term unopposed.
Delaware Senate 3rd district general election, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Elizabeth Lockman (incumbent) | 5,714 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 5,714 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 4

The 4th district covers many of Wilmington's northwestern suburbs in New Castle County, including Hockessin, Greenville, Pike Creek, Talleyville, Granogue, Brandywine, Alapocas, Montchanin, Runnymeade, Delaware Heights, Rockland, Winterthur, Wooddale, and other unincorporated areas. First-term Democratic incumbent Laura Sturgeon, who was elected in 2018 with 53.1% of the vote, won a second term.
Delaware Senate 4th district general election, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Laura Sturgeon (incumbent) | 10,762 | 56.58% |
| | Republican | Ted Kittila | 8,259 | 43.42% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 19,021 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 5

The 5th district covers the northern suburbs of Wilmington in New Castle County including Arden, Ardencroft, Ardentown, Windsor Hills, Naamans Manor, Wilmont, Talleys Corner, Afton, Shellburne, Windybush, Heatherbrooke, Chalfonte, and other unincorporated areas. First-term Democratic incumbent Kyle Evans Gay, who was elected in 2020 with 52.3% of the vote, won a second term.
Delaware Senate 5th district general election, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Kyle Evans Gay (incumbent) | 10,471 | 66.28% |
| | Republican | Daniel Schmick | 5,328 | 33.72% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 15,799 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 6

The 6th district is based in the Cape Region in coastal Sussex County, covering Rehoboth Beach, Lewes, Milton, and the surrounding communities. Three-term Republican incumbent Ernesto Lopez, who was re-elected in 2018 with 52.6% of the vote, announced in July 2022 that he would not run for re-election. Democrat Russ Huxtable went on to flip the seat in the general election.

#### Democratic primary

Delaware Senate 6th district Democratic primary election, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Russ Huxtable | 3,938 | 67.90% |
| | Democratic | Jack Bucchioni | 1,862 | 32.10% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 5,800 | 100% |

#### General election

Delaware Senate 6th district general election, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Russ Huxtable | 14,131 | 51.48% |
| | Republican | Stephen Smyk | 13,048 | 47.53% |
| | Non-Partisan Delaware | Gwendolyn Jones | 271 | 0.99% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 27,450 | 100% |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 7

The 7th district covers the immediate western suburbs of Wilmington in New Castle County, including Elsmere, Newport, Westminster, Anglesey, and other unincorporated areas. First-term Democratic incumbent Spiros Mantzavinos, who was elected in 2020 with 51.4% of the vote, won a second term.
Delaware Senate 7th district general election, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Spiros Mantzavinos (incumbent) | 7,663 | 58.69% |
| | Republican | Sherm Porter | 5,394 | 41.31% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 13,057 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 8

The 8th district is based in Newark – the state's third-largest city – and also covers parts of Hockessin and North Star. Ten-term Democratic incumbent David Sokola, who was unopposed in 2020, won an eleventh term.
Delaware Senate 8th district general election, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | David Sokola (incumbent) | 8,462 | 62.87% |
| | Republican | Victor John Setting | 4,998 | 37.13% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 13,460 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 9

The 9th district covers the areas between Newark and Wilmington in New Castle County, including parts of Pike Creek, Pike Creek Valley, Newport, Stanton, and far eastern Newark proper. Second-term Democratic incumbent Jack Walsh, who was elected in 2020 with 67.1% of the vote, won a third term.
Delaware Senate 9th district general election, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Jack Walsh (incumbent) | 7,172 | 61.50% |
| | Republican | Brenda Mennella | 4,490 | 38.50% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 11,662 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 10

The 10th district is based in Middletown, also covering Mount Pleasant, Summit Bridge, western Glasgow, and the southernmost reaches of Newark. First-term Democratic incumbent Stephanie Hansen, who was elected in 2018 with 62.1% of the vote, won a second term unopposed.
Delaware Senate 10th district general election, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Stephanie Hansen (incumbent) | 10,800 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,800 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 11

The 11th district covers communities immediately to the east of Newark in New Castle County, including Brookside, Christiana, Woodshade, Taylortown, and some of Bear. Third-term Democratic incumbent Bryan Townsend, who was elected in 2018 with 75.8% of the vote, won a fourth term unopposed.
Delaware Senate 11th district general election, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Bryan Townsend (incumbent) | 8,843 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,843 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 12

The 12th district covers much of central New Castle County along the Delaware River, including Delaware City, Wrangle Hill, Williamsburg, Kirkwood, Greylag, Bayview Manor, Monterey Farms, and parts of Glasgow, Bear, New Castle, and Wilmington Manor. Third-term Democratic incumbent Nicole Poore, who was unopposed in 2020, won a fourth term.
Delaware Senate 12th district general election, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Nicole Poore (incumbent) | 10,226 | 62.15% |
| | Republican | Bill Alexander | 6,228 | 37.85% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 16,454 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 13

The 13th district covers much of unincorporated New Castle County to the south of Wilmington, including Red Lion, Monterey Farms, Fairwinds, Duross Heights, Clearvier Manor, and parts of Bear and Wilmington Manor. First-term Democratic incumbent Marie Pinkney, who was elected in 2020 with 75.8% of the vote, won a second term unopposed.
Delaware Senate 13th district general election, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Marie Pinkney (incumbent) | 8,611 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,611 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 14

The 14th district straddles the border between New Castle County and Kent County, covering all of Smyrna, Clayton, Odessa, Blackbird, and Leipsic, as well as parts of Middletown. Four-term Democratic incumbent Bruce Ennis, who was re-elected in 2020 with 59.5% of the vote, announced in 2021 that he would not run for re-election. Democrat Kyra Hoffner went on to win the seat in the general election.

#### Democratic primary

Delaware Senate 14th district Democratic primary election, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Kyra Hoffner | 1,015 | 34.37% |
| | Democratic | Michael Hill-Shaner | 794 | 26.89% |
| | Democratic | Kevin Musto | 570 | 19.30% |
| | Democratic | Robert Sebastiano | 312 | 10.57% |
| | Democratic | Sam Noel | 262 | 8.87% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,953 | 100% |

#### General election

Delaware Senate 14th district general election, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Kyra Hoffner | 8,404 | 51.83% |
| | Republican | Mark Pugh | 7,811 | 48.17% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 16,215 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 15

The 15th district covers much of Kent County to the west of Dover, including Cheswold, Felton, Kenton, Marydel, Hartly, Willow Grove, Petersburg, Sandtown, and part of Viola. Four-term Republican incumbent Dave Lawson, who was elected in 2020 with 55.3% of the vote, won a fifth term unopposed.
Delaware Senate 15th district general election, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Dave Lawson (incumbent) | 11,814 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 11,814 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 16

The 16th district covers southern Dover and its suburbs in Kent County, including Highland Acres, Rising Sun-Lebanon, Kent Acres, Riverview, Magnolia, Woodside, Woodside East, Frederica, Little Creek, Bowers, and Little Heaven. Nine-term Republican incumbent Colin Bonini, who was elected in 2018 with 55% of the vote, lost the September 13th Republican primary, finishing last place in a 3-way race. Republican Eric Buckson went on to win the general election unopposed.

#### Republican primary

Delaware Senate 16th district Republican primary election, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Eric Buckson | 1,915 | 51.11% |
| | Republican | Kim Petters | 1,017 | 27.14% |
| | Republican | Colin Bonini (incumbent) | 815 | 21.75% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,747 | 100% |

#### General election

Delaware Senate 16th district general election, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Eric Buckson | 9,577 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,577 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 17

The 17th district is based in Dover, covering most of the city proper as well as the nearby Kent County communities of Camden, Wyoming, and Rodney Village. First-term Democratic incumbent Trey Paradee, who was elected in 2018 with 64.3% of the vote, won a second term.
Delaware Senate 17th district general election, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Trey Paradee (incumbent) | 7,551 | 64.40% |
| | Republican | Ed Ruyter | 4,174 | 35.60% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 11,725 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 18

The 18th district covers southern Kent County and northern Sussex County, including the communities of Milford, Harrington, Greenwood, Ellendale, Houston, Farmington, Slaughter Beach, and Lincoln. First-term Republican incumbent Dave Wilson, who was elected in 2018 with 65.2% of the vote, won a second term.
Delaware Senate 18th district general election, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Dave Wilson (incumbent) | 10,867 | 69.97% |
| | Democratic | Billy Devary | 4,665 | 30.03% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 15,532 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 19

The 19th district covers central Sussex County, including the communities of Georgetown, Bridgeville, and Long Neck. Third-term Republican incumbent Brian Pettyjohn, who was unopposed in 2020, won a fourth term unopposed.
Delaware Senate 19th district general election, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Brian Pettyjohn (incumbent) | 13,142 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 13,142 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 20

The 20th district is based in southeastern Sussex County along the Atlantic Ocean, including the communities of Millsboro, Selbyville, Ocean View, Bethany Beach, Dagsboro, Frankford, Fenwick Island, Millville, South Bethany, Roxana, and Oak Orchard. Third-term Republican incumbent Gerald Hocker, who was unopposed in 2020, won a fourth term unopposed.
Delaware Senate 20th district general election, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Gerald Hocker (incumbent) | 17,150 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 17,150 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 21

The 21st district is based in the southwestern corner of Sussex County, including the communities of Seaford, Laurel, Delmar, Bethel, Gumboro, and Reliance. Third-term Republican incumbent Bryant Richardson, who was elected in 2018 with 65.0% of the vote, won a fourth term.
Delaware Senate 21st district general election, 2022 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Bryant Richardson (incumbent) | 10,013 | 86.77% |
| | Non-Partisan Delaware | Sonja Mehaffey | 986 | 8.54% |
| | Libertarian | Chris Dalton | 541 | 4.69% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 11,540 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |