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. +DistrictIncumbentElected SenatorResultMemberPartyFirst electedMemberPartyDistrict 1 Democratic2021 (appointed)RepublicanRepublican gainDistrict 2Republican2017 (appointed)RepublicanRepublican holdDistrict 3Republican2016RepublicanRepublican holdDistrict 4Republican2018RepublicanRepublican holdDistrict 5Democratic2014DemocraticDemocratic holdDistrict 6Republican2014RepublicanRepublican holdDistrict 7Democratic2006RepublicanRepublican gainDistrict 8Democratic2018RepublicanRepublican gainDistrict 9Republican2018RepublicanRepublican holdDistrict 10Democratic2017 (appointed)RepublicanRepublican gainDistrict 11Republican2018RepublicanRepublican holdDistrict 12 Democratic2014RepublicanRepublican gainDistrict 13 Democratic2010RepublicanRepublican gainDistrict 14 Republican2006RepublicanRepublican holdDistrict 15Republican2014RepublicanRepublican holdDistrict 16Democratic2021 (appointed)RepublicanRepublican gainDistrict 17Republican2014RepublicanRepublican hold
Predictions SourceRankingAs of Sabato's Crystal Ball 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. +↓304RepublicanDem.
2022 West Virginia Senate electionPartyRaces contestedRaces wonVotesPercentage% changeSeats beforeSeats after+/–Republican1716307,20167.01% 5.8%2330 7Democratic121131,30528.64% 7.5%114 7Libertarian2013,7232.99% 2.3%00Upwising WV105,1481.12% 1.1%00Independent101,0850.24% 0.2%00Totals17458,462100.00%—3434—Turnout39.76% 23.5%
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. DistrictIncumbentPartyAppointeeRef.Departing memberFirst electedIncoming memberAppt. date162020Dem12018Dem
Close races DistrictWinnerMarginDistrict 13Republican (flip)0.5%District 5Democratic7.9%District 8Republican (flip)13.5%
List of districts District 1 • District 2 • District 3 • District 4 • District 5 • District 6 • District 7 • District 8 • District 9 • District 10 • District 11 • District 12 • District 13 • District 14 • District 15 • District 16 • District 17 __NOTOC__
District 1 Incumbent Owens Brown was appointed in 2021.
General election
District 2 Incumbent Charles Clements was first elected in 2016.
General election
District 3 Incumbent Michael Azinger was first elected in 2016.
General election
District 4 Incumbent Eric Tarr was first elected in 2018.
General election
District 5 Incumbent Mike Woelfel was first elected in 2014.
General election
District 6 Incumbent Mark Maynard was first elected in 2014.
General election
District 7 Incumbent Ron Stollings was first elected in 2006.
General election
District 8 Incumbent Richard Lindsay was first elected in 2018.
General election
District 9 Incumbent Rollan Roberts was first elected in 2018.
General election
District 10 Incumbent Stephen Baldwin was appointed in 2017.
General election
District 11 Incumbent Bill Hamilton was first elected in 2018.
General election
District 12 Incumbent Mike Romano was first elected in 2014. He retired, leaving an open seat.
General election
District 13 Incumbent Bob Beach was first elected in 2010. He retired, leaving an open seat.
General election
District 14 Incumbent David Sypolt was first elected in 2006. He retired, leaving an open seat.
General election
District 15 Incumbent Charles Trump was first elected in 2014.
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.
General election
District 17 Incumbent Tom Takubo was first elected in 2014.
General election
References