# 2008 Delaware House of Representatives election

An election was held on November 4, 2008, to elect all 41 members to Delaware's House of Representatives. The election coincided with elections for other offices, including for U.S. President, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and state senate. The primary election was held on September 9, 2008. Democrats regained control of the House after 24 years after gaining seven seats, winning 25 seats compared to 16 seats for the Republicans. Representative Dianna Williams (D - District 6) announced immediately after the election that she would be resigning. A special election was held on December 20, 2008, to fill the seat at which Tom Kovach gained the seat for the Republicans.

## Results

| District | Incumbent | Party | Elected Representative | Party |
| 1st | Dennis Williams | Dem | Dennis Williams | Dem |
| 2nd | Hazel Plant | Dem | Hazel Plant | Dem |
| 3rd | Helene Keeley | Dem | Helene Keeley | Dem |
| 4th | Gerald Brady | Dem | Gerald Brady | Dem |
| 5th | Melanie George Marshall | Dem | Melanie George Marshall | Dem |
| 6th | Diana McWilliams | Dem | Diana McWilliams | Dem |
| 7th | Bryon Short | Dem | Bryon Short | Dem |
| 8th | Bethany Hall-Long | Dem | Quinn Johnson | Dem |
| 9th | Richard Cathcart | Rep | Richard Cathcart | Rep |
| 10th | Robert Valihura | Rep | Dennis Williams | Dem |
| 11th | Gregory Lavelle | Rep | Gregory Lavelle | Rep |
| 12th | Deborah Hudson | Rep | Deborah Hudson | Rep |
| 13th | Larry Mitchell | Dem | Larry Mitchell | Dem |
| 14th | Peter Schwartzkopf | Dem | Peter Schwartzkopf | Dem |
| 15th | Valerie Longhurst | Dem | Valerie Longhurst | Dem |
| 16th | J.J. Johnson | Dem | J.J. Johnson | Dem |
| 17th | Michael Mulrooney | Dem | Michael Mulrooney | Dem |
| 18th | Terry Spence | Rep | Michael Barbieri | Dem |
| 19th | Robert Gilligan | Dem | Robert Gilligan | Dem |
| 20th | Nick Manolakos | Rep | Nick Manolakos | Rep |
| 21st | Pamela Maier | Rep | Michael Ramone | Rep |
| 22nd | Joseph Miró | Rep | Joseph Miró | Rep |
| 23rd | Teresa Schooley | Dem | Teresa Schooley | Dem |
| 24th | William Orbele Jr. | Rep | William Orbele Jr. | Rep |
| 25th | John Kowalko Jr. | Dem | John Kowalko Jr. | Dem |
| 26th | John Viola | Dem | John Viola | Dem |
| 27th | Vincet Lofink | Rep | Earl Jaques Jr. | Dem |
| 28th | William Carson Jr. | Dem | William Carson Jr. | Dem |
| 29th | Pamela Thornburg | Rep | Pamela Thornburg | Rep |
| 30th | William Outten | Rep | William Outten | Rep |
| 31st | Nancy Wagner | Rep | Darryl Scott | Dem |
| 32nd | Donna Stone | Rep | Brad Bennett | Dem |
| 33rd | Robert Walls | Dem | Robert Walls | Dem |
| 34th | Donald Blakey | Rep | Donald Blakey | Rep |
| 35th | J. Benjamin Ewing | Rep | David Wilson | Rep |
| 36th | V. George Carey | Rep | V. George Carey | Rep |
| 37th | Joseph Booth | Rep | Joseph Booth | Rep |
| 38th | Gerald Hocker | Rep | Gerald Hocker | Rep |
| 39th | Daniel Short | Rep | Daniel Short | Rep |
| 40th | Clifford Lee | Rep | Clifford Lee | Rep |
| 41st | Gregory Hastings | Rep | John Atkins | Dem |

### Statewide

| Party | Party | Candi- dates | Votes | % | Seats | +/– |
| | Democratic | 37 | 208,990 | 56.87% | 25 | 7 |
| | Republican | 32 | 156,832 | 42.68% | 16 | 7 |
| | Independent | 2 | 642 | 0.17% | 0 | |
| | Working Families | 5 | 431 | 0.12% | 0 | |
| | Blue Enigma | 3 | 346 | 0.09% | 0 | |
| | Libertarian | 2 | 243 | 0.07% | 0 | |
| Total | Total | 81 | 367,484 | 100% | 41 | |

## Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| Stateline | Lean D (flip) | October 15, 2008 |

## Detailed Results

Results of the 2008 Delaware House of Representatives election by district:

### District 1

Incumbent Democrat Dennis Williams has represented the 1st district since 1994.
Delaware House of Representatives 1st district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Dennis Williams (incumbent) | 7,422 | 91.09% |
| | Republican | James McClain Jr. | 726 | 8.91% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,148 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 2

Incumbent Democrat Hazel Plant has represented the 2nd district since 2000.
Delaware House of Representatives 2nd district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Hazel Plant (incumbent) | 5,729 | 94.26% |
| | Independent Party | Robert Brown | 349 | 5.74% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 6,078 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 3

Incumbent Democrat Helene Keeley has represented the 3rd district and its predecessors since 1996.
Delaware House of Representatives 3rd district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Helene Keeley (incumbent) | 5,419 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 5,419 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 4

Incumbent Democrat Gerald Brady has represented the 4th district since 2006.
Delaware House of Representatives 4th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Gerald Brady (incumbent) | 7,174 | 73.36% |
| | Republican | Tyler Patrick Nixon | 2,605 | 26.64% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,779 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 5

Incumbent Democrat Melanie George Marshall has represented the 5th district since 2002.
Delaware House of Representatives 5th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Melanie George Marshall (incumbent) | 7,212 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,212 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 6

Incumbent Democrat Diana McWilliams has represented the 6th district since 2004.
Delaware House of Representatives 6th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Diana McWilliams (incumbent) | 8,331 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,331 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 7

Incumbent Democrat Bryon Short has represented the 7th district since winning a 2007 special election.
Delaware House of Representatives 7th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Bryon Short (incumbent) | 6,281 | 58.57% |
| | Republican | James Bowers | 4,443 | 41.43% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,724 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 8

Incumbent Democrat Bethany Hall-Long has represented the 8th district since 2002. Hall-Long retired to run for the state senate and fellow Democrat Quinn Johnson won the open seat.
Delaware House of Representatives 8th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Quinn Johnson | 7,524 | 57.24% |
| | Republican | Martha Sturtevant | 5,621 | 42.76% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 13,145 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 9

Incumbent Republican Richard Cathcart has represented the 9th district since 1998.
Delaware House of Representatives 9th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Richard Cathcart (incumbent) | 7,436 | 53.84% |
| | Democratic | Rebecca Walker | 6,375 | 46.16% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 13,811 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 10

Incumbent Republican Robert Valihura Jr. has represented the 10th district since 1998. Valihura lost re-election to Democrat Dennis Williams.
Delaware House of Representatives 10th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Dennis Williams | 5,091 | 50.97% |
| | Republican | Robert Valihura Jr. (incumbent) | 4,898 | 49.03% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,989 | 100% |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 11

Incumbent Republican Gregory Lavelle has represented the 11th district since 2001.
Delaware House of Representatives 11th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Gregory Lavelle (incumbent) | 6,731 | 63.34% |
| | Democratic | Charles Old Jr. | 3,895 | 36.66% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,626 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 12

Incumbent Republican Deborah Hudson has represented the 12th district since 1994.
Delaware House of Representatives 12th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Deborah Hudson (incumbent) | 7,428 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,428 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 13

Incumbent Democrat Larry Mitchell has represented the 13th district since 2006.
Delaware House of Representatives 13th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Larry Mitchell (incumbent) | 6,547 | 96.14% |
| | Blue Enigma | Jeffrey Brown | 263 | 3.86% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 6,810 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 14

Incumbent Democratic Majority Leader Peter Schwartzkopf has represented the 14th district since 2002.
Delaware House of Representatives 14th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Peter Schwartzkopf (incumbent) | 10,616 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,616 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 15

Incumbent Democrat Valerie Longhurst has represented the 15th district since 2004.
Delaware House of Representatives 15th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Valerie Longhurst (incumbent) | 10,570 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,570 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 16

Incumbent Democrat J.J. Johnson has represented the 16th district since 2004.
Delaware House of Representatives 16th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | J.J. Johnson (incumbent) | 7,078 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,078 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 17

Incumbent Democrat Michael Mulrooney has represented the 17th district since 1998.
Delaware House of Representatives 17th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Michael Mulrooney (incumbent) | 6,981 | 83.41% |
| | Republican | David Lee Osborn | 1,388 | 16.59% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,369 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 18

Incumbent Republican House Speaker Terry Spence has represented the 18th district and its predecessors since 1980. Spence lost re-election to Democrat Michael Barbieri.
Delaware House of Representatives 18th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Michael Barbieri | 4,164 | 51.99% |
| | Republican | Terry Spence (incumbent) | 3,845 | 48.01% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,009 | 100% |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 19

Incumbent Democrat House Speaker Robert Gilligan has represented the 19th district since 1972.
Delaware House of Representatives 19th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Robert Gilligan (incumbent) | 6,482 | 78.38% |
| | Republican | Joseph Sakeley | 1,729 | 20.91% |
| | Blue Enigma | Stephen Michael Annand | 59 | 0.71% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,270 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 20

Incumbent Republican Nick Manolakos has represented the 20th district since 2006.
Delaware House of Representatives 20th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Nick Manolakos (incumbent) | 8,045 | 99.70% |
| | Blue Enigma | Daniel Rappa Jr. | 24 | 0.30% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,069 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 21

Incumbent Republican Pamela Maier has represented the 21st district since 1994. Maier didn't seek re-election and fellow Republican Michael Ramone won the open seat.
Delaware House of Representatives 21st district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Michael Ramone | 5,474 | 55.14% |
| | Democratic | Patricia Creedon | 4,454 | 44.86% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,928 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 22

Incumbent Republicans Joseph Miró has represented the 22nd district since 1998.
Delaware House of Representatives 22nd district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joseph Miró (incumbent) | 6,999 | 66.13% |
| | Democratic | Rebecca Young | 3,585 | 33.87% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,584 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 23

Incumbent Democrat Teresa Schooley has represented the 23rd district since 2004.
Delaware House of Representatives 23rd district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Teresa Schooley (incumbent) | 6,098 | 74.95% |
| | Republican | Jesse Priester IV | 2,038 | 25.05% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,136 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 24

Incumbent Republican William Orbele Jr. has represented the 24th district since 1976.
Delaware House of Representatives 24th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | William Orbele Jr. (incumbent) | 4,057 | 54.01% |
| | Democratic | Daniel Basara | 3,455 | 45.99% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,512 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 25

Incumbent Democrat John Kowalko Jr. has represented the 25th district since 2006.
Delaware House of Representatives 25th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John Kowalko Jr. (incumbent) | 5,008 | 73.39% |
| | Republican | James Gates | 1,816 | 26.61% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 6,824 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 26

Incumbent Democrat John Viola has represented the 26th district since 1998.
Delaware House of Representatives 26th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John Viola (incumbent) | 6,316 | 79.93% |
| | Republican | Jeremy Filliben | 1,586 | 20.07% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,902 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 27

Incumbent Republican Vincet Lofink has represented the 27th district since 1990. Lofink lost re-election to Democrat Earl Jaques Jr..
Delaware House of Representatives 27th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Earl Jaques Jr. | 4,708 | 48.72% |
| | Republican | Vincet Lofink (incumbent) | 4,662 | 48.25% |
| | Independent Party | James Spencer | 293 | 3.03% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,663 | 100% |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 28

Incumbent Democrat Bruce Ennis has represented the 28th district since 1982. Ennis retired to run for the state senate and fellow Democrat William Carson Jr. won the open seat.
Delaware House of Representatives 28th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | William Carson Jr. | 7,198 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,198 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 29

Incumbent Republican Pamela Thornburg has represented the 29th district since 2000.
Delaware House of Representatives 29th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Pamela Thornburg (incumbent) | 5,624 | 50.22% |
| | Democratic | Charles Paradee | 5,574 | 49.78% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 11,198 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 30

Incumbent Republican William Outten has represented the 30th district since 2004.
Delaware House of Representatives 30th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | William Outten (incumbent) | 6,921 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 6,921 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 31

Incumbent Republican Nancy Wagner has represented the 31st district since 1992. Wagner lost re-election to Democrat Darryl Scott.
Delaware House of Representatives 31st district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Darryl Scott | 4,372 | 52.64% |
| | Republican | Nancy Wagner (incumbent) | 3,934 | 47.36% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,306 | 100% |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 32

Incumbent Republican Donna Stone has represented the 32nd district since 1994. Stone lost re-election to Democrat Brad Bennett.
Delaware House of Representatives 32nd district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Brad Bennett | 3,742 | 57.03% |
| | Republican | Donna Stone (incumbent) | 2,820 | 42.97% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 6,562 | 100% |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |

### District 33

Incumbent Democrat Robert Walls has represented the 33rd district since 2006.
Delaware House of Representatives 33rd district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Robert Walls (incumbent) | 5,546 | 53.66% |
| | Republican | Harold Peterman | 4,790 | 46.34% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,336 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 34

Incumbent Republican Donald Blakey has represented the 34th district since 2006.
Delaware House of Representatives 34th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Donald Blakey (incumbent) | 6,229 | 61.30% |
| | Democratic | G. Bruce Hamilton | 3,933 | 38.70% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,162 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 35

Incumbent Republican J. Benjamin Ewing has represented the 35th district since 1986. Ewing didn't seek re-election and fellow Republican David Wilson won the open seat.
Delaware House of Representatives 35th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | David Wilson | 5,174 | 60.98% |
| | Democratic | L. Aaron Chaffinch | 3,311 | 39.02% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,485 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 36

Incumbent Republican V. George Carey has represented the 36th district since 1984.
Delaware House of Representatives 36th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | V. George Carey (incumbent) | 8,963 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,963 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 37

Incumbent Republican Joseph Booth has represented the th district since 2002.
Delaware House of Representatives 37th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Joseph Booth (incumbent) | 6,242 | 64.20% |
| | Democratic | Helen Truitt | 3,480 | 35.80% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,722 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 38

Incumbent Republican Gerald Hocker has represented the 38th district since 2002.
Delaware House of Representatives 38th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Gerald Hocker (incumbent) | 9,769 | 72.08% |
| | Democratic | Mary Ryan | 3,784 | 27.92% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 13,553 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 39

Incumbent Republican Daniel Short has represented the 39th district since 2006.
Delaware House of Representatives 39th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Daniel Short (incumbent) | 5,185 | 68.79% |
| | Democratic | Jerry Semper | 2,352 | 31.21% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,537 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 40

Incumbent Republican Clifford Lee has represented the 40th district since 1990.
Delaware House of Representatives 40th district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Clifford Lee (incumbent) | 5,191 | 58.85% |
| | Democratic | Barbara Hudson | 3,630 | 41.15% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,821 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 41

Incumbent Republican Gregory Hastings has represented the 41st district since winning a special election in May 2007. Hastings lost re-election to his predecessor, John Atkins, now a member of the Democratic Party. Democratic primary
Delaware House of Representatives 41st district Democratic primary election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John Atkins | 1,095 | 53.86% |
| | Democratic | Barbara Lifflander | 938 | 46.14% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,033 | 100% |
General election
Delaware House of Representatives 41st district general election, 2008 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | John Atkins | 5,665 | 52.99% |
| | Republican | Gregory Hastings (incumbent) | 5,025 | 47.01% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,690 | 100% |
| | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican | Democratic gain from Republican |