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]

Quick Facts 17 of 34 seats in the West Virginia Senate 18 seats needed for a majority, Majority party ...

2022 West Virginia Senate elections

← 2020 November 8, 2022 2024 →
17 of 34 seats in the West Virginia Senate 18 seats needed for a majority
Majority party Minority party   GOP DEM Leader Craig Blair Stephen Baldwin (lost re-election) Party Republican Democratic Leader since January 13, 2021 January 13, 2021 Leader's seat 15th district 10th district Seats before 23 11 Seats after 30 4 Seat change 7 7 Popular vote 307,201 131,305 Percentage 67.0% 28.6% Swing 5.8% 7.5% Seats up 9 8 Races won 16 1
Holds and Gains by party Margin of victory Results of the elections:      Republican gain      Democratic hold      Republican hold Results by margin of victory:      Republican 50%-60%      Republican 60%-70%      Republican 70%-80%      Republican 80%-90%      Republican >90%%      Democratic 50%-60%
Senate President before election Craig Blair Republican Elected Senate President Craig Blair Republican

Close

Three members of the West Virginia Senate - two Democrats, and one Republican, did not run for re-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.

The 2023 West Virginia Senate Presidential election will be 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.

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.

More information Party, Races Won ...

2022 West Virginia Senate election
Party		Races Won	Votes	Percentage	% Change	Seats before	Seats after	+/–
	Republican	16	307,201	67.01%	5.8%	23	30	7
	Democratic	1	131,305	28.64%	7.5%	11	4	7
	Libertarian	0	13,723	2.99%	2.3%	0	0
	Upwising WV	0	5,148	1.12%	1.1%	0	0
	Independent	0	1,085	0.24%	0.2%	0	0
Totals		17	458,462	100.00%	—	34	34	—
Turnout				39.76%	23.5%

Close

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.