2018 West Virginia Senate election
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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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Elections in West Virginia |
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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.
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 the Mountain State, 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[]
No incumbents retired in 2018. All 17 incumbent Senators ran for re-election.
Incumbents defeated[]
In primary elections[]
Three incumbents were defeated in the May primaries, one more than were defeated in the 2016 primaries.
Republicans[]
- 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[]
Republicans[]
- District 1: Ryan Ferns lost to William J. Ihlenfeld.
- District 8: Ed Gaunch lost to Richard Lindsay.
Results summary[]
All 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
|
Close races[]
District | 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[]
State Senate District | Incumbent | Party | Elected Senator | Party | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
West Virginia 1 | Ryan Ferns | Rep | William Ihlenfeld | Dem | ||
West Virginia 2 | Charles Clements | Rep | Charles Clements | Rep | ||
West Virginia 3 | Mike Azinger | Rep | Mike Azinger | Rep | ||
West Virginia 4 | Mark Drennan* | Rep | Eric Tarr | Rep | ||
West Virginia 5 | Mike Woelfel | Dem | Mike Woelfel | Dem | ||
West Virginia 6 | Mark Maynard | Rep | Mark Maynard | Rep | ||
West Virginia 7 | Ron Stollings | Dem | Ron Stollings | Dem | ||
West Virginia 8 | Ed Gaunch | Rep | Richard Lindsay | Dem | ||
West Virginia 9 | Lynne Arvon* | Rep | Rollan Roberts | Rep | ||
West Virginia 10 | Stephen Baldwin | Dem | Stephen Baldwin | Dem | ||
West Virginia 11 | Robert L. Karnes* | Rep | Bill Hamilton | Rep | ||
West Virginia 12 | Mike Romano | Dem | Mike Romano | Dem | ||
West Virginia 13 | Bob Beach | Dem | Bob Beach | Dem | ||
West Virginia 14 | David Sypolt | Rep | David Sypolt | Rep | ||
West Virginia 15 | Charles Trump | Rep | Charles Trump | Rep | ||
West Virginia 16 | John Unger | Dem | John Unger | Dem | ||
West Virginia 17 | Tom Takubo | Rep | Tom Takubo | Rep |
Detailed results by State Senate District[]
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[]
Republican primary[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Ryan Ferns (incumbent) | 5,233 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 5,233 | 100.0% |
Democratic primary[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | William J. Ihlenfeld II | 8,500 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 8,500 | 100.0% |
General election[]
Party | 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[]
Republican primary[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Charles Clements (incumbent) | 6,809 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 6,809 | 100.0% |
Democratic primary[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Denny Longwell | 5,388 | 58.94% | |
Democratic | Carla Jones | 3,753 | 41.06% | |
Total votes | 9,141 | 100.0% |
General election[]
Party | 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[]
Republican primary[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Mike Azinger (incumbent) | 6,404 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 6,404 | 100.0% |
Democratic primary[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Jim Leach | 3,695 | 58.94% | |
Democratic | Simon Hargus | 3,009 | 44.88% | |
Total votes | 6,704 | 100.0% |
General Election[]
Party | 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[]
Republican primary[]
Party | 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[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Brian Prim | 6,819 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 6,819 | 100.0% |
General election[]
Party | 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[]
Republican primary[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Larry Brooke Lunsford | 4,819 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 4,819 | 100.0% |
Democratic primary[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Mike Woelfel (incumbent) | 7,753 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 7,753 | 100.0% |
General election[]
Party | 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[]
Republican primary[]
Party | 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[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Charles E. Sammons | 6,305 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 6,305 | 100.0% |
General election[]
Party | 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[]
Republican primary[]
Party | 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[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Ron Stollings (incumbent) | 9,276 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 9,276 | 100.0% |
General election[]
Party | 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[]
Republican primary[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Ed Gaunch (incumbent) | 5,475 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 5,475 | 100.0% |
Democratic primary[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Richard Lindsay | 4,721 | 51.72% | |
Democratic | Mark Hunt | 4,407 | 48.28% | |
Total votes | 9,128 | 100.0% |
General election[]
Party | 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[]
Republican primary[]
Party | 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[]
Party | 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[]
Party | 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[]
Republican primary[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | George Ambler | 4,169 | 56.45% | |
Republican | Dan Hill | 3,216 | 43.55% | |
Total votes | 7,385 | 100.0% |
Democratic primary[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Stephen Baldwin (incumbent) | 10,311 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 10,311 | 100.0% |
General election[]
Party | 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[]
Republican primary[]
Party | 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[]
Party | 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[]
Party | 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[]
Republican primary[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Waymond Cork II | 5,820 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 5,820 | 100.0% |
Democratic primary[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Mike Romano (incumbent) | 9,814 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 9,814 | 100.0% |
General election[]
Party | 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[]
Republican primary[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Mike Oliverio | 4,763 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 4,763 | 100.0% |
Democratic primary[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Bob Beach (incumbent) | 9,383 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 9,383 | 100.0% |
General election[]
Party | 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[]
Republican primary[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | David Sypolt (incumbent) | 8,997 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 8,997 | 100.0% |
Democratic primary[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Stephanie Zucker | 7,813 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 7,813 | 100.0% |
General election[]
Party | 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[]
Republican primary[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Charles S. Trump (incumbent) | 7,965 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 7,965 | 100.0% |
General election[]
Party | 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[]
Republican primary[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Michael Craig Folk | 5,729 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 5,729 | 100.0% |
Democratic primary[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | John Unger (incumbent) | 6,309 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 6,309 | 100.0% |
General election[]
Party | 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[]
Republican primary[]
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Tom Takubo (incumbent) | 5,873 | 100.0% | |
Total votes | 5,873 | 100.0% |
Democratic primary[]
Party | 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[]
Party | 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[]
- ^ "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.
- 2018 West Virginia elections
- West Virginia state senators
- 2018 state legislature elections in the United States
- West Virginia Senate elections