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.[1]
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.[2]
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.
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.[6] On November 22, Rucker withdrew her bid.[7]
On December 4, 2022, Blair was renominated as President of the Senate, unopposed.[8]
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.
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.[9] Below is a list of appointments made during the 85th Legislature.
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
^"2022 Elections Calendar" (PDF). West Virginia Secretary of State. May 10, 2021. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 5, 2021. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
^Staff Reports. "Making it official: State Sen. Mike Romano won't run for re-election, but will instead seek Harrison County Commission seat". WV News. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
^Wilson, Dave (October 12, 2021). "Senator Bob Beach will not seek re-election in 2022". WV MetroNews. Retrieved February 7, 2022.
^Jacobson, Louis (May 19, 2022). "The Battle for State Legislatures". Retrieved May 19, 2022.
^"Rucker Mounting Challenge to Blair for West Virginia Senate Presidency". theintelligencer.net. Retrieved September 2, 2022.
^McElhinny, Brad (November 22, 2022). "Senator Rucker announces she will withdraw from challenge of Senate president". WV MetroNews. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
^"W.Va. Senate President Blair, House Speaker Hanshaw maintain leadership roles". theintelligencer.net. Retrieved December 5, 2022.
^"West Virginia Code 3-10-5". West Virginia Code. Retrieved April 18, 2022.
^"Gov. Justice appoints Geffert to Senate in District 16". governor.wv.gov. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
^"Gov. Justice appoints Brown to Senate in District 1". governor.wv.gov. Retrieved September 10, 2022.
^"Senator Hannah Geffert Says She's Will be on the Ballot in November". Morgan County USA. March 2, 2022. Retrieved September 15, 2022.