Election Results Are In - Here are Key Takeaways

By Tyler Micik

In January, we’ll see nine new faces in Legislative Hall—three in the Senate and six in the House. Six of the nine seats were open following the retirements of Representatives David Bentz, Andria Bennett, John Kowalko, and Senators Bruce Ennis and Ernie Lopez. Additionally, two other seats were open after Rep. Steve Smyk chose to run for State Senate instead of his House seat, and an extra seat was created in central Sussex County after redistricting. The nine newly elected legislators are:

• SD 6: Russ Huxtable (D) defeated Steve Smyk (R) with 51% of the vote--this seat flipped from Republican to Democrat
• SD 14: Kyra Hoffner (D) defeated Mark Pugh (R) with 52% of the vote
• SD 16: Eric Buckson (R) ran unopposed
• RD 4: Jeff Hilosky (R) defeated Keegan Worley (D) with 57% of the vote--this seat flipped from Democrat to Republican
• RD 13: DeShanna Neal (D) defeated Carlucci Coelho (R) with 60% of the vote
• RD 18: Sophie Phillips (D) defeated Gloria Payne (R) with 72% of the vote
• RD 20: Stell Parker Selby (D) defeated Dallas Wingate (R) with 51% of the vote--this seat flipped from Republican to Democrat
• RD 25: Cyndie Romer (D) defeated Lynn May (R) with 65% of the vote
• RD 32: Kerri Harris (D) defeated Cheryl Precourt (R) with 58% of the vote

It's important to note that the makeup of Democrats to Republicans in the House will remain the same at 26 (D) to 15 (R). In the Senate, Democrats picked up one seat, strengthening their majority to 15 and reducing the Republican Caucus to 6.
 
OTHER RESULTS INCLUDE:
Federal:

• Lisa Blunt-Rochester (D) won with 56% of the vote over her opponents.

 
Statewide

• Attorney General: Kathy Jennings (D) won with 54% of the vote over Republican Julianne Murray.
• Treasurer: Colleen Davis (D) won with 54% of the vote over Republican Greg Coverdale.
• Auditor: Lydia York (D) won with 54% of the vote over Republican Janice Lorrah.

 
Overall, voter turnout was down this year. Approximately, 325,620 ballots were cast on Tuesday out of 762,908 registered voters--that’s a 42.68% turnout. In 2018, the last midterm election cycle, 52.2% of eligible Delawareans voted.

A complete list of the election results can he found here. The State Chamber will share information regarding leadership decisions and committee assignments as that information becomes available. If you have any questions, please contact me at [email protected].
 

*As of November 9, these results have not yet been validated by the Department of Elections. Percentages are approximations.

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