# 2002 Delaware Senate election

The 2002 Delaware Senate election was held on November 5, 2002, to elect all 21 of the 21 members to Delaware's Senate. The election coincided with elections for other offices, including for U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, and state house. The primary election was held on September 7, 2002.

## Predictions

| Source | Ranking | As of |
| The Cook Political Report | Likely D | October 4, 2002 |

## Results summary

| District | Incumbent | 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 | Dallas Winslow | Rep | Charlie Copeland | Rep |
| 5 | Catherine Cloutier | Rep | Catherine Cloutier | Rep |
| 6 | Liane Sorenson | Rep | Liane Sorenson | Rep |
| 7 | Patti Blevins | Dem | Patti Blevins | Dem |
| 8 | David Sokola | Dem | David Sokola | Dem |
| 9 | Thomas Sharp | Dem | Karen Peterson | Dem |
| 10 | Steven Amick | Rep | Steven Amick | Rep |
| 11 | Tony DeLuca | Dem | Tony DeLuca | Dem |
| 12 | Dorinda Connor | Rep | Dorinda Connor | Rep |
| 13 | David McBride | Dem | David McBride | Dem |
| 14 | James Vaughn | Dem | James Vaughn | Dem |
| 15 | Nancy Cook | Dem | Nancy Cook | Dem |
| 16 | Colin Bonini | Rep | Colin Bonini | Rep |
| 17 | John Still III | Rep | John Still III | Rep |
| 18 | Gary Simpson | Rep | Gary Simpson | Rep |
| 19 | Thurman Adams Jr. | Dem | Thurman Adams Jr. | Dem |
| 20 | George Bunting | Dem | George Bunting | Dem |
| 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 | 8 | 71,101 | 47.74% | 16 | | 61.90% |
| | Republican | 7 | 77,609 | 52.11% | 5 | | 38.10% |
| | Independent | 1 | 214 | 0.14% | 0 | | 0.00% |
| Total | Total | 16 | 148,924 | 100% | 21 | | 100% |
Popular vote
Republican
52.11%
Democratic
47.74%
Independent
0.14% :
Senate seats
Democratic
61.90%
Republican
38.10% :

## Detailed results
### District 1

Incumbent Democrat Harris McDowell III has represented the 1st district since 1977. Democratic primary
Delaware Senate 1st district Democratic primary election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Harris McDowell III (incumbent) | 1,388 | 63.70% |
| | Democratic | Thornton Carroll | 791 | 36.30% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,179 | 100% |
General election
Delaware Senate 1st district general election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Harris McDowell III (incumbent) | 7,646 | 64.12% |
| | Republican | Lee Murphy | 4,279 | 35.88% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 11,925 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 2

Incumbent Democrat Margaret Rose Henry has represented the 2nd district since 1994. Democratic primary
Delaware Senate 2nd district Democratic primary election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Margaret Rose Henry (incumbent) | 1,908 | 71.68% |
| | Democratic | Samuel Guy | 754 | 28.32% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 2,662 | 100% |
General election
Delaware Senate 2nd district general election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Margaret Rose Henry (incumbent) | 5,908 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 5,908 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 3

Incumbent Democrat Robert Marshall has represented the 3rd district since 1979. Democratic primary
Delaware Senate 3rd district Democratic primary election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Robert Marshall (incumbent) | 1,359 | 76.01% |
| | Democratic | Paul Falkowski | 429 | 23.99% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,788 | 100% |
General election
Delaware Senate 3rd district general election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Robert Marshall (incumbent) | 4,548 | 74.98% |
| | Republican | Michael Brown Sr. | 1,518 | 25.02% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 6,066 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 4

Incumbent Republican Dallas Winslow has represented the 4th district since 1999. Winslow lost re-nomination to fellow Republican Charlie Copeland, who went on to win the general election. Republican primary
Delaware Senate 4th district Republican primary election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Charlie Copeland | 2,151 | 62.77% |
| | Republican | Dallas Winslow (incumbent) | 1,276 | 37.23% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 3,427 | 100% |
General election
Delaware Senate 4th district general election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Charlie Copeland | 11,592 | 72.35% |
| | Democratic | Fred Boykin | 4,431 | 27.65% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 16,023 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 5

Incumbent Republican Catherine Cloutier has represented the 5th district since 2001.
Delaware Senate 5th district general election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Catherine Cloutier (incumbent) | 9,446 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,446 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 6

Incumbent Republican Liane Sorenson has represented the 6th district since 1995.
Delaware Senate 6th district general election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Liane Sorenson (incumbent) | 5,611 | 54.95% |
| | Democratic | Richard DiLiberto Jr. | 4,600 | 45.05% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,211 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 7

Incumbent Democrat Patti Blevins has represented the 7th district since 1991.
Delaware Senate 7th district general election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Patti Blevins (incumbent) | 8,443 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 8,443 | 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, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | David Sokola (incumbent) | 6,411 | 51.10% |
| | Republican | Michael Ramone | 6,134 | 48.90% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 12,545 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 9

Incumbent Democrat and President pro tempore Thomas Sharp has represented the 9th district since 1975. Sharp didn't seek re-election and fellow Democrat Karen Peterson won the open seat. Democratic primary
Delaware Senate 9th district Democratic primary election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Karen Peterson | 638 | 56.16% |
| | Democratic | Timothy Sheldon | 498 | 43.84% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 1,136 | 100% |
Republican primary
Delaware Senate 9th district Republican primary election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Kevin Wilkes | 389 | 50.26% |
| | Republican | Donald Mulrine Jr. | 385 | 49.74% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 774 | 100% |
General election
Delaware Senate 9th district general election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Karen Peterson | 5,783 | 58.41% |
| | Republican | Kevin Wilkes | 4,118 | 41.59% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 9,901 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 10

Incumbent Republican and Minority Leader Steven Amick has represented the 10th district since 1995.
Delaware Senate 10th district general election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Steven Amick (incumbent) | 6,436 | 59.43% |
| | Democratic | Julia Dugan | 4,393 | 40.57% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,829 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 11

Incumbent Democrat Tony DeLuca has represented the 11th district since 1999.
Delaware Senate 11th district general election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Tony DeLuca (incumbent) | 6,253 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 6,253 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 12

Incumbent Republican Dorinda Connor has represented the 12th district since 1997.
Delaware Senate 12th district general election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Dorinda Connor (incumbent) | 7,875 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,875 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 13

Incumbent Democrat David McBride has represented the 13th district since 1979.
Delaware Senate 13th district general election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | David McBride (incumbent) | 6,337 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 6,337 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 14

Incumbent Democrat James Vaughn has represented the 14th district since 1980.
Delaware Senate 14th district general election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | James Vaughn (incumbent) | 6,611 | 59.05% |
| | Republican | Mark Schaeffer | 4,415 | 39.43% |
| | Libertarian | Anita Cooper | 170 | 1.52% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 11,196 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 15

Incumbent Democrat Nancy Cook has represented the 15th district since 1975.
Delaware Senate 15th district general election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Nancy Cook (incumbent) | 6,862 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 6,862 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 16

Incumbent Republican Colin Bonini has represented the 16th district since 1995. Democratic primary
Delaware Senate 16th district Democratic primary election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Paul Davis | 487 | 52.54% |
| | Democratic | James Testerman | 440 | 47.46% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 927 | 100% |
General election
Delaware Senate 16th district general election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Colin Bonini (incumbent) | 7,324 | 66.52% |
| | Democratic | Paul Davis | 3,686 | 33.48% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 11,010 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 17

Incumbent Republican John Still III has represented the 17th district since 1988.
Delaware Senate 17th district general election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | John Still III (incumbent) | 7,608 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,608 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 18

Incumbent Republican Gary Simpson has represented the 18th district since 1999.
Delaware Senate 18th district general election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Gary Simpson (incumbent) | 8,875 | 57.37% |
| | Democratic | John Burton Sr. | 6,594 | 42.63% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 15,469 | 100% |
| | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold | Republican hold |

### District 19

Incumbent Democrat Thurman Adams Jr. has represented the 19th district since 1973. Republican primary
Delaware Senate 19th district Republican primary election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Republican | Stell Selby | 469 | 53.30% |
| | Republican | Matthew Opaliski | 411 | 46.70% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 880 | 100% |
General election
Delaware Senate 19th district general election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Thurman Adams Jr. (incumbent) | 6,397 | 63.64% |
| | Republican | Stell Selby | 3,655 | 36.36% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 10,052 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 20

Incumbent Democrat George Bunting has represented the 20th district since 1997.
Delaware Senate 20th district general election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | George Bunting (incumbent) | 9,046 | 59.45% |
| | Republican | John Rieley | 5,817 | 38.23% |
| | Independent Party | Albert Gargano Jr. | 207 | 1.36% |
| | Green | William Winkler Sr. | 146 | 0.96% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 15,216 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |

### District 21

Incumbent Democrat Robert Venables Sr. has represented the 21st district since 1989.
Delaware Senate 21st district general election, 2002 :
| Party | Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
| | Democratic | Robert Venables Sr. (incumbent) | 7,756 | 100% |
| Total votes | Total votes | Total votes | 7,756 | 100% |
| | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold | Democratic hold |