The 2018 West Virginia Senate elections were held on November 6, 2018, as part of the biennial United States elections. Seventeen of West Virginia's 34 state senators were up for election. West Virginia Senate districts each have two elected representatives. State senators serve staggered four-year terms in West Virginia, with one senator from each district up in even-numbered years corresponding to presidential election years (most recently held in 2016), and the other up in even-numbered years corresponding to presidential midterm years.
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17 of the 34 seats in the West Virginia Senate 18 seats needed for a majority | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Results of the elections: Democratic gain Democratic hold Republican hold | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Primary elections in the state were held on May 8. After the previous 2016 state elections, Republicans held a majority in the Senate, holding 22 seats to the Democrats' 12. The Republican Party had long been the minority party in West Virginia, but the decline of the strength of coal worker unions, the Democratic Party's increasing focus on environmentalism, the unpopularity of President Barack Obama, and the increasing social conservatism of the Republican Party have helped the GOP solidify power in the state rapidly since 2000.
Despite the high popularity of President Donald Trump within the state and his 42-point margin of victory there in 2016, the Democrats gained two seats in the West Virginia Senate in 2018. This can be attributed to the competitive U.S. Senate race at the top of the ticket (which was won by incumbent Democrat Joe Manchin), the increasing insulation of the West Virginia Democratic Party from the national Democratic Party (particularly on social issues, such as abortion), and a strong year for the Democratic Party nationally, in which they gained control of the U.S. House of Representatives.
Following the state's 2018 Senate elections, Republicans maintained control of the Senate with 20 seats to the Democrats' 14.
Retirements
editNo incumbents retired in 2018. All 17 incumbent senators ran for re-election.
Incumbents defeated
editIn primary elections
editThree incumbents were defeated in the May primaries, one more than were defeated in the 2016 primaries.
Republicans
edit- District 4: Mark Drennan lost renomination to Eric Tarr.
- District 9: Lynne Arvon lost renomination to Rollan Roberts.
- District 11: Robert Karnes lost renomination to Bill Hamilton.
In the general election
editRepublicans
edit- District 1: Ryan Ferns lost to William J. Ihlenfeld.
- District 8: Ed Gaunch lost to Richard Lindsay.
Results summary
editAll results are certified by the Secretary of State of West Virginia.
Party | Votes | Seats | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Votes | % | Total before |
Up | Won | Total after |
± | ||||||||
Republican Party | 306,182 | 53.41 | 22 | 11 | 9 | 20 / 34
|
2 | |||||||
Democratic Party | 267,073 | 44.05 | 12 | 6 | 8 | 14 / 34
|
2 | |||||||
Independents | 14,567 | 2.54 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 / 34
|
Senate President Election
editOn January 9, 2019, the West Virginia Senate convened to elect a President for the 84th West Virginia Legislature. The incumbent president, Mitch Carmichael, was nominated by Randy Smith. The nomination was then seconded by Charles Trump. Roman Prezioso received a nomination from Bob Beach, which was seconded by Ron Stollings. In a 19 to 14 vote, Mitch Carmichael was re-elected President of the Senate, having received the support of the eighteen other Republicans present, as well as Senator Prezioso. Mike Maroney, a Republican, was the sole absent member.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Mitch Carmichael (incumbent) | 19 | 57.6 | |
Democratic | Roman Prezioso | 14 | 42.4 | |
Total votes | 33 | 100.0 | ||
Republican hold |
Close races
editDistrict | Winner | Margin |
---|---|---|
District 8 | Democratic (flip) | 0.5% |
District 16 | Democratic | 4.3% |
District 13 | Democratic | 4.4% |
District 17 | Republican | 5.0% |
District 1 | Democratic (flip) | 5.8% |
District 10 | Democratic | 6.3% |
District 9 | Republican | 8.1% |
District 12 | Democratic | 9.0% |
Summary of results by State Senate District
editDistrict | Incumbent | Elected Senator | Result | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Member | Party | First elected | Member | Party | ||
District 1 | Ryan Ferns | Republican | 2014 | William Ihlenfeld | Democratic | Democratic Gain |
District 2 | Charles Clements | Republican | 2017 (appointed) | Charles Clements | Republican | Republican Hold |
District 3 | Mike Azinger | Republican | 2016 | Mike Azinger | Republican | Republican Hold |
District 4 | Mark Drennan | Republican | 2017 (appointed) | Eric Tarr | Republican | Republican Hold |
District 5 | Mike Woelfel | Democratic | 2014 | Mike Woelfel | Democratic | Democratic Hold |
District 6 | Mark Maynard | Republican | 2014 | Mark Maynard | Republican | Republican Hold |
District 7 | Ron Stollings | Democratic | 2006 | Ron Stollings | Democratic | Democratic Hold |
District 8 | Ed Gaunch | Republican | 2014 | Richard Lindsay | Democratic | Democratic Gain |
District 9 | Lynne Arvon | Republican | 2018 (appointed) | Rollan Roberts | Republican | Republican Hold |
District 10 | Stephen Baldwin | Democratic | 2017 (appointed) | Stephen Baldwin | Democratic | Democratic Hold |
District 11 | Robert Karnes | Republican | 2014 | Bill Hamilton | Republican | Republican Hold |
District 12 | Mike Romano | Democratic | 2014 | Mike Romano | Democratic | Democratic Hold |
District 13 | Bob Beach | Democratic | 2010 | Bob Beach | Democratic | Democratic Hold |
District 14 | David Sypolt | Republican | 2006 | David Sypolt | Republican | Republican Hold |
District 15 | Charles Trump | Republican | 2014 | Charles Trump | Republican | Republican Hold |
District 16 | John Unger | Democratic | 1998 | John Unger | Democratic | Democratic Hold |
District 17 | Tom Takubo | Republican | 2014 | Tom Takubo | Republican | Republican Hold |
Detailed results by State Senate District
edit
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 |
All results are certified by the Secretary of State of West Virginia.[2]
District 1
editRepublican primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Ryan Ferns (incumbent) | 5,233 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 5,233 | 100.0% |
Democratic primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | William J. Ihlenfeld II | 8,500 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 8,500 | 100.0% |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | William J. Ihlenfeld II | 18,450 | 52.88% | |
Republican | Ryan Ferns (incumbent) | 16,438 | 47.12% | |
Total votes | 34,888 | 100% | ||
Democratic gain from Republican |
District 2
editRepublican primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Charles Clements (incumbent) | 6,809 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 6,809 | 100.0% |
Democratic primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Denny Longwell | 5,388 | 58.94% | |
Democratic | Carla Jones | 3,753 | 41.06% | |
Total votes | 9,141 | 100.0% |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Charles H. Clements (incumbent) | 19,895 | 58.79% | |
Democratic | Denny Longwell | 13,944 | 41.21% | |
Total votes | 33,839 | 100% | ||
Republican hold |
District 3
editRepublican primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Mike Azinger (incumbent) | 6,404 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 6,404 | 100.0% |
Democratic primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Jim Leach | 3,695 | 58.94% | |
Democratic | Simon Hargus | 3,009 | 44.88% | |
Total votes | 6,704 | 100.0% |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Mike Azinger (incumbent) | 19,964 | 57.40% | |
Democratic | Jim Leach | 14,818 | 42.60% | |
Total votes | 34,782 | 100% | ||
Republican hold |
District 4
editRepublican primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Eric Tarr | 4,994 | 54.76% | |
Republican | Mark Drennan (incumbent) | 4,126 | 45.24% | |
Total votes | 9,120 | 100.0% |
Democratic primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Brian Prim | 6,819 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 6,819 | 100.0% |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Eric Tarr | 18,885 | 51.78% | |
Democratic | Brian Prim | 13,583 | 37.24% | |
Independent | Amy Nichole Grady | 4,005 | 10.98% | |
Total votes | 36,473 | 100% | ||
Republican hold |
District 5
editRepublican primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Larry Brooke Lunsford | 4,819 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 4,819 | 100.0% |
Democratic primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Mike Woelfel (incumbent) | 7,753 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 7,753 | 100.0% |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Mike Woelfel (incumbent) | 20,305 | 59.66% | |
Republican | Larry Brooke Lunsford | 13,732 | 40.34% | |
Total votes | 34,037 | 100% | ||
Democratic hold |
District 6
editRepublican primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Mark Maynard (incumbent) | 3,209 | 61.04% | |
Republican | Wesley Blankenship | 2,048 | 38.96% | |
Total votes | 5,257 | 100.0% |
Democratic primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Charles E. Sammons | 6,305 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 6,305 | 100.0% |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Mark R. Maynard (incumbent) | 17,536 | 61.51% | |
Democratic | Charles E. Sammons | 10,972 | 38.49% | |
Total votes | 28,508 | 100% | ||
Republican hold |
District 7
editRepublican primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Jason Stephens | 1,851 | 51.81% | |
Republican | Gary L. Johngrass | 1,722 | 48.19% | |
Total votes | 3,573 | 100.0% |
Democratic primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Ron Stollings (incumbent) | 9,276 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 9,276 | 100.0% |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Ron Stollings (incumbent) | 15,181 | 56.70% | |
Republican | Jason Stephens | 11,594 | 43.30% | |
Total votes | 26,775 | 100% | ||
Democratic hold |
District 8
editRepublican primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Ed Gaunch (incumbent) | 5,475 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 5,475 | 100.0% |
Democratic primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Richard Lindsay | 4,721 | 51.72% | |
Democratic | Mark Hunt | 4,407 | 48.28% | |
Total votes | 9,128 | 100.0% |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Richard Lindsay | 16,537 | 50.25% | |
Republican | Ed Gaunch (incumbent) | 16,372 | 49.75% | |
Total votes | 32,909 | 100% | ||
Democratic gain from Republican |
District 9
editRepublican primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Rollan Roberts | 3,384 | 52.87% | |
Republican | Lynne Arvon (incumbent) | 3,017 | 47.13% | |
Total votes | 6,401 | 100.0% |
Democratic primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | William R. Wooton | 3,649 | 43.44% | |
Democratic | John Queensberry | 2,171 | 25.84% | |
Democratic | Steve Davis | 1,731 | 20.60% | |
Democratic | Wayne Williams | 850 | 10.12% | |
Total votes | 8,401 | 100.0% |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Rollan Roberts | 16,111 | 54.07% | |
Democratic | William R. Wooton | 13,686 | 45.93% | |
Total votes | 29,797 | 100% | ||
Republican hold |
District 10
editRepublican primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | George Ambler | 4,169 | 56.45% | |
Republican | Dan Hill | 3,216 | 43.55% | |
Total votes | 7,385 | 100.0% |
Democratic primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Stephen Baldwin (incumbent) | 10,311 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 10,311 | 100.0% |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Stephen Baldwin (incumbent) | 17,495 | 53.15% | |
Republican | George Ambler | 15,421 | 46.85% | |
Total votes | 32,916 | 100% | ||
Democratic hold |
District 11
editRepublican primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Bill Hamilton | 6,523 | 62.25% | |
Republican | Robert Karnes (incumbent) | 3,955 | 37.75% | |
Total votes | 10,478 | 100.0% |
Democratic primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Laura M. Finch | 5,087 | 52.42% | |
Democratic | Margaret Kerr Beckwith | 4,617 | 47.58% | |
Total votes | 9,704 | 100.0% |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Bill Hamilton | 23,718 | 70.44% | |
Democratic | Laura M. Finch | 9,953 | 29.56% | |
Total votes | 33,671 | 100% | ||
Republican hold |
District 12
editRepublican primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Waymond Cork II | 5,820 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 5,820 | 100.0% |
Democratic primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Mike Romano (incumbent) | 9,814 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 9,814 | 100.0% |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Mike Romano (incumbent) | 18,919 | 54.51% | |
Republican | Waymond Cork II | 15,791 | 45.49% | |
Total votes | 34,710 | 100% | ||
Democratic hold |
District 13
editRepublican primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Mike Oliverio | 4,763 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 4,763 | 100.0% |
Democratic primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Bob Beach (incumbent) | 9,383 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 9,383 | 100.0% |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Bob Beach (incumbent) | 18,692 | 52.18% | |
Republican | Mike Oliverio | 17,129 | 47.82% | |
Total votes | 35,821 | 100% | ||
Democratic hold |
District 14
editRepublican primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | David Sypolt (incumbent) | 8,997 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 8,997 | 100.0% |
Democratic primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Stephanie Zucker | 7,813 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 7,813 | 100.0% |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | David Sypolt (incumbent) | 21,936 | 60.22% | |
Democratic | Stephanie Zucker | 14,492 | 39.78% | |
Total votes | 36,428 | 100% | ||
Republican hold |
District 15
editRepublican primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Charles S. Trump (incumbent) | 7,965 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 7,965 | 100.0% |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Charles S. Trump (incumbent) | 25,937 | 71.06% | |
Independent | Jason A. Armentrout | 10,562 | 28.94% | |
Total votes | 36,499 | 100% | ||
Republican hold |
District 16
editRepublican primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Michael Craig Folk | 5,729 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 5,729 | 100.0% |
Democratic primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | John Unger (incumbent) | 6,309 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 6,309 | 100.0% |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | John Unger (incumbent) | 18,802 | 52.14% | |
Republican | Michael Craig Folk | 17,257 | 47.86% | |
Total votes | 36,059 | 100% | ||
Democratic hold |
District 17
editRepublican primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Tom Takubo (incumbent) | 5,873 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 5,873 | 100.0% |
Democratic primary
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Terrell Ellis | 5,317 | 52.01% | |
Democratic | Mary Ann Claytor | 3,746 | 36.64% | |
Democratic | Justin 'Dick' Salsbury | 1,161 | 11.36% | |
Total votes | 10,224 | 100.0% |
General election
editParty | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Tom Takubo (incumbent) | 18,466 | 52.46% | |
Democratic | Terrell Ellis | 16,735 | 47.54% | |
Total votes | 35,201 | 100% | ||
Republican hold |
References
edit- ^ "Election Night Reporting".
- ^ "Election Night Reporting".
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 1ST - REP". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 1ST - DEM". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 2nd - REP". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 2nd-DEM". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 3RD - REP". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 3RD - DEM". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 4TH - REP". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 4TH - DEM". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 5TH - REP". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 5TH - DEM". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 6TH - REP". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved June 9, 2020.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 6TH - DEM". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 7TH - REP". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 7TH - DEM". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 8TH - REP". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 8TH - DEM". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 9TH - REP". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 9TH - DEM". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 10TH - REP". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 10TH - DEM". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 11TH - REP". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 11TH - DEM". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 12TH - REP". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 12TH - DEM". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 13TH - REP". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 13TH - DEM". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 14TH - REP". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 14TH - DEM". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 15TH - REP". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 16TH - REP". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 16TH - DEM". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 17TH - REP". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
- ^ "STATE SENATOR, 17TH - DEM". Secretary of State of West Virginia. Retrieved February 21, 2021.