2008 Delaware House of Representatives election

An election was held on November 4, 2008 to elect all 41 members to Delaware's House of Representatives. The election coincided with elections for other offices, including for U.S. President, U.S. Senate, U.S. House of Representatives, Governor, Lieutenant Governor, and state senate. The primary election was held on September 9, 2008.[1] Democrats regained control of the House after 24 years after gaining seven seats, winning 25 seats compared to 16 seats for the Republicans. Representative Dianna Williams (D - District 6) announced immediately after the election that she would be resigning. A special election was held on December 20, 2008 to fill the seat at which Tom Kovach gained the seat for the Republicans.

2008 Delaware House of Representatives election
November 4, 2008 (2008-11-04)
All 41 seats in the Delaware House of Representatives
21 seats needed for a majority
  Majority party Minority party
 
Leader Robert Gilligan Terry Spence (lost re-election)
Party Democratic Republican
Leader's seat 19th - Wilmington 18th- New Castle
Last election 18 23
Seats before 19 22
Seats won 25 16
Seat change Increase6 Decrease6
Popular vote 208,990 156,832
Percentage 56.87% 42.68%
Speaker before election

Terry Spence
Republican

 Elected Speaker

Robert Gilligan
Democratic

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Results
State House District Incumbent Party Elected Representative Party
1st Dennis Williams Dem Dennis Williams Dem
2nd Hazel Plant Dem Hazel Plant Dem
3rd Helene Keeley Dem Helene Keeley Dem
4th Gerald Brady Dem Gerald Brady Dem
5th Melanie George Marshall Dem Melanie George Marshall Dem
6th Diana McWilliams Dem Diana McWilliams Dem
7th Bryon Short Dem Bryon Short Dem
8th Bethany Hall-Long Dem Quinn Johnson Dem
9th Richard Cathcart Rep Richard Cathcart Rep
10th Robert Valihura Rep Dennis Williams Dem
11th Gregory Lavelle Rep Gregory Lavelle Rep
12th Deborah Hudson Rep Deborah Hudson Rep
13th Larry Mitchell Dem Larry Mitchell Dem
14th Peter Schwartzkopf Dem Peter Schwartzkopf Dem
15th Valerie Longhurst Dem Valerie Longhurst Dem
16th J.J. Johnson Dem J.J. Johnson Dem
17th Michael Mulrooney Dem Michael Mulrooney Dem
18th Terry Spence Rep Michael Barbieri Dem
19th Robert Gilligan Dem Robert Gilligan Dem
20th Nick Manolakos Rep Nick Manolakos Rep
21st Pamela Maier Rep Michael Ramone Rep
22nd Joseph Miró Rep Joseph Miró Rep
23rd Teresa Schooley Dem Teresa Schooley Dem
24th William Orbele Jr. Rep William Orbele Jr. Rep
25th John Kowalko Jr. Dem John Kowalko Jr. Dem
26th John Viola Dem John Viola Dem
27th Vincet Lofink Rep Earl Jaques Jr. Dem
28th William Carson Jr. Dem William Carson Jr. Dem
29th Pamela Thornburg Rep Pamela Thornburg Rep
30th William Outten Rep William Outten Rep
31st Nancy Wagner Rep Darryl Scott Dem
32nd Donna Stone Rep Brad Bennett Dem
33rd Robert Walls Dem Robert Walls Dem
34th Donald Blakey Rep Donald Blakey Rep
35th J. Benjamin Ewing Rep David Wilson Rep
36th V. George Carey Rep V. George Carey Rep
37th Joseph Booth Rep Joseph Booth Rep
38th Gerald Hocker Rep Gerald Hocker Rep
39th Daniel Short Rep Daniel Short Rep
40th Clifford Lee Rep Clifford Lee Rep
41st Gregory Hastings Rep John Atkins Dem

Statewide
PartyCandi-
dates		Votes %Seats+/–
Democratic37208,99056.87%25Increase7
Republican32156,83242.68%16Decrease7
Independent26420.17%0Steady
Working Families54310.12%0Steady
Blue Enigma33460.09%0Steady
Libertarian22430.07%0Steady
Total81367,484100%41Steady

Detailed Results

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 • District 18 • District 19 • District 20 • District 21 • District 22 • District 23 • District 24 • District 25 • District 26 • District 27 • District 28 • District 29 • District 30 • District 31 • District 32 • District 33 • District 34 • District 35 • District 36 • District 37 • District 38 • District 39 • District 40 • District 41

Results of the 2008 Delaware House of Representatives election by district:[2][3]

District 1

Incumbent Democrat Dennis Williams has represented the 1st district since 1994.

Delaware House of Representatives 1st district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dennis Williams (incumbent) 7,422 91.09%
Republican James McClain Jr. 726 8.91%
Total votes 8,148 100%
Democratic hold

District 2

Incumbent Democrat Hazel Plant has represented the 2nd district since 2000.

Delaware House of Representatives 2nd district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Hazel Plant (incumbent) 5,729 94.26%
Independent Robert Brown 349 5.74%
Total votes 6,078 100%
Democratic hold

District 3

Incumbent Democrat Helene Keeley has represented the 3rd district and its predecessors since 1996.

Delaware House of Representatives 3rd district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Helene Keeley (incumbent) 5,419 100%
Total votes 5,419 100%
Democratic hold

District 4

Incumbent Democrat Gerald Brady has represented the 4th district since 2006.

Delaware House of Representatives 4th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Gerald Brady (incumbent) 7,174 73.36%
Republican Tyler Patrick Nixon[lower-alpha 1] 2,605 26.64%
Total votes 9,779 100%
Democratic hold

District 5

Incumbent Democrat Melanie George Marshall has represented the 5th district since 2002.

Delaware House of Representatives 5th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Melanie George Marshall (incumbent) 7,212 100%
Total votes 7,212 100%
Democratic hold

District 6

Incumbent Democrat Diana McWilliams has represented the 6th district since 2004.

Delaware House of Representatives 6th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Diana McWilliams (incumbent) 8,331 100%
Total votes 8,331 100%
Democratic hold

District 7

Incumbent Democrat Bryon Short has represented the 7th district since winning a 2007 special election.

Delaware House of Representatives 7th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Bryon Short (incumbent) 6,281 58.57%
Republican James Bowers 4,443 41.43%
Total votes 10,724 100%
Democratic hold

District 8

Incumbent Democrat Bethany Hall-Long has represented the 8th district since 2002. Hall-Long retired to run for the state senate and fellow Democrat Quinn Johnson won the open seat.

Delaware House of Representatives 8th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Quinn Johnson 7,524 57.24%
Republican Martha Sturtevant 5,621 42.76%
Total votes 13,145 100%
Democratic hold

District 9

Incumbent Republican Richard Cathcart has represented the 9th district since 1998.

Delaware House of Representatives 9th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Richard Cathcart (incumbent) 7,436 53.84%
Democratic Rebecca Walker 6,375 46.16%
Total votes 13,811 100%
Republican hold

District 10

Incumbent Republican Robert Valihura Jr. has represented the 10th district since 1998. Valihura lost re-election to Democrat Dennis Williams.

Delaware House of Representatives 10th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Dennis Williams[lower-alpha 2] 5,091 50.97%
Republican Robert Valihura Jr. (incumbent) 4,898 49.03%
Total votes 9,989 100%
Democratic gain from Republican

District 11

Incumbent Republican Gregory Lavelle has represented the 11th district since 2001.

Delaware House of Representatives 11th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gregory Lavelle (incumbent) 6,731 63.34%
Democratic Charles Old Jr. 3,895 36.66%
Total votes 10,626 100%
Republican hold

District 12

Incumbent Republican Deborah Hudson has represented the 12th district since 1994.

Delaware House of Representatives 12th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Deborah Hudson (incumbent) 7,428 100%
Total votes 7,428 100%
Republican hold

District 13

Incumbent Democrat Larry Mitchell has represented the 13th district since 2006.

Delaware House of Representatives 13th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Larry Mitchell (incumbent) 6,547 96.14%
Blue Enigma Jeffrey Brown 263 3.86%
Total votes 6,810 100%
Democratic hold

District 14

Incumbent Democratic Majority Leader Peter Schwartzkopf has represented the 14th district since 2002.

Delaware House of Representatives 14th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Peter Schwartzkopf (incumbent) 10,616 100%
Total votes 10,616 100%
Democratic hold

District 15

Incumbent Democrat Valerie Longhurst has represented the 15th district since 2004.

Delaware House of Representatives 15th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Valerie Longhurst (incumbent) 10,570 100%
Total votes 10,570 100%
Democratic hold

District 16

Incumbent Democrat J.J. Johnson has represented the 16th district since 2004.

Delaware House of Representatives 16th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic J.J. Johnson (incumbent) 7,078 100%
Total votes 7,078 100%
Democratic hold

District 17

Incumbent Democrat Michael Mulrooney has represented the 17th district since 1998.

Delaware House of Representatives 17th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Michael Mulrooney (incumbent) 6,981 83.41%
Republican David Lee Osborn 1,388 16.59%
Total votes 8,369 100%
Democratic hold

District 18

Incumbent Republican House Speaker Terry Spence has represented the 18th district and its predecessors since 1980. Spence lost re-election to Democrat Michael Barbieri.

Delaware House of Representatives 18th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Michael Barbieri 4,164 51.99%
Republican Terry Spence (incumbent)[lower-alpha 3] 3,845 48.01%
Total votes 8,009 100%
Democratic gain from Republican

District 19

Incumbent Democrat House Speaker Robert Gilligan has represented the 19th district since 1972.

Delaware House of Representatives 19th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert Gilligan (incumbent) 6,482 78.38%
Republican Joseph Sakeley 1,729 20.91%
Blue Enigma Stephen Michael Annand 59 0.71%
Total votes 8,270 100%
Democratic hold

District 20

Incumbent Republican Nick Manolakos has represented the 20th district since 2006.

Delaware House of Representatives 20th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Nick Manolakos (incumbent) 8,045 99.70%
Blue Enigma Daniel Rappa Jr. 24 0.30%
Total votes 8,069 100%
Republican hold

District 21

Incumbent Republican Pamela Maier has represented the 21st district since 1994. Maier didn't seek re-election and fellow Republican Michael Ramone won the open seat.

Delaware House of Representatives 21st district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Michael Ramone 5,474 55.14%
Democratic Patricia Creedon 4,454 44.86%
Total votes 9,928 100%
Republican hold

District 22

Incumbent Republicans Joseph Miró has represented the 22nd district since 1998.

Delaware House of Representatives 22nd district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joseph Miró (incumbent) 6,999 66.13%
Democratic Rebecca Young 3,585 33.87%
Total votes 10,584 100%
Republican hold

District 23

Incumbent Democrat Teresa Schooley has represented the 23rd district since 2004.

Delaware House of Representatives 23rd district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Teresa Schooley (incumbent) 6,098 74.95%
Republican Jesse Priester IV[lower-alpha 4] 2,038 25.05%
Total votes 8,136 100%
Democratic hold

District 24

Incumbent Republican William Orbele Jr. has represented the 24th district since 1976.

Delaware House of Representatives 24th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William Orbele Jr. (incumbent)[lower-alpha 5] 4,057 54.01%
Democratic Daniel Basara 3,455 45.99%
Total votes 7,512 100%
Republican hold

District 25

Incumbent Democrat John Kowalko Jr. has represented the 25th district since 2006.

Delaware House of Representatives 25th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Kowalko Jr. (incumbent) 5,008 73.39%
Republican James Gates 1,816 26.61%
Total votes 6,824 100%
Democratic hold

District 26

Incumbent Democrat John Viola has represented the 26th district since 1998.

Delaware House of Representatives 26th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Viola (incumbent) 6,316 79.93%
Republican Jeremy Filliben 1,586 20.07%
Total votes 7,902 100%
Democratic hold

District 27

Incumbent Republican Vincet Lofink has represented the 27th district since 1990. Lofink lost re-election to Democrat Earl Jaques Jr..

Delaware House of Representatives 27th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Earl Jaques Jr. 4,708 48.72%
Republican Vincet Lofink (incumbent)[lower-alpha 6] 4,662 48.25%
Independent James Spencer 293 3.03%
Total votes 9,663 100%
Democratic gain from Republican

District 28

Incumbent Democrat Bruce Ennis has represented the 28th district since 1982. Ennis retired to run for the state senate and fellow Democrat William Carson Jr. won the open seat.

Delaware House of Representatives 28th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic William Carson Jr. 7,198 100%
Total votes 7,198 100%
Democratic hold

District 29

Incumbent Republican Pamela Thornburg has represented the 29th district since 2000.

Delaware House of Representatives 29th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Pamela Thornburg (incumbent) 5,624 50.22%
Democratic Charles Paradee 5,574 49.78%
Total votes 11,198 100%
Republican hold

District 30

Incumbent Republican William Outten has represented the 30th district since 2004.

Delaware House of Representatives 30th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican William Outten (incumbent) 6,921 100%
Total votes 6,921 100%
Republican hold

District 31

Incumbent Republican Nancy Wagner has represented the 31st district since 1992. Wagner lost re-election to Democrat Darryl Scott.

Delaware House of Representatives 31st district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Darryl Scott 4,372 52.64%
Republican Nancy Wagner (incumbent) 3,934 47.36%
Total votes 8,306 100%
Democratic gain from Republican

District 32

Incumbent Republican Donna Stone has represented the 32nd district since 1994. Stone lost re-election to Democrat Brad Bennett.

Delaware House of Representatives 32nd district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Brad Bennett 3,742 57.03%
Republican Donna Stone (incumbent) 2,820 42.97%
Total votes 6,562 100%
Democratic gain from Republican

District 33

Incumbent Democrat Robert Walls has represented the 33rd district since 2006.

Delaware House of Representatives 33rd district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Robert Walls (incumbent) 5,546 53.66%
Republican Harold Peterman 4,790 46.34%
Total votes 10,336 100%
Democratic hold

District 34

Incumbent Republican Donald Blakey has represented the 34th district since 2006.

Delaware House of Representatives 34th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Donald Blakey (incumbent) 6,229 61.30%
Democratic G. Bruce Hamilton 3,933 38.70%
Total votes 10,162 100%
Republican hold

District 35

Incumbent Republican J. Benjamin Ewing has represented the 35th district since 1986. Ewing didn't seek re-election and fellow Republican David Wilson won the open seat.

Delaware House of Representatives 35th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican David Wilson 5,174 60.98%
Democratic L. Aaron Chaffinch 3,311 39.02%
Total votes 8,485 100%
Republican hold

District 36

Incumbent Republican V. George Carey has represented the 36th district since 1984.

Delaware House of Representatives 36th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican V. George Carey (incumbent) 8,963 100%
Total votes 8,963 100%
Republican hold

District 37

Incumbent Republican Joseph Booth has represented the th district since 2002.

Delaware House of Representatives 37th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Joseph Booth (incumbent) 6,242 64.20%
Democratic Helen Truitt 3,480 35.80%
Total votes 9,722 100%
Republican hold

District 38

Incumbent Republican Gerald Hocker has represented the 38th district since 2002.

Delaware House of Representatives 38th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Gerald Hocker (incumbent) 9,769 72.08%
Democratic Mary Ryan 3,784 27.92%
Total votes 13,553 100%
Republican hold

District 39

Incumbent Republican Daniel Short has represented the 39th district since 2006.

Delaware House of Representatives 39th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Daniel Short (incumbent) 5,185 68.79%
Democratic Jerry Semper[lower-alpha 7] 2,352 31.21%
Total votes 7,537 100%
Republican hold

District 40

Incumbent Republican Clifford Lee has represented the 40th district since 1990.

Delaware House of Representatives 40th district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Clifford Lee (incumbent) 5,191 58.85%
Democratic Barbara Hudson 3,630 41.15%
Total votes 8,821 100%
Republican hold

District 41

Incumbent Republican Gregory Hastings has represented the 41st district since winning a special election in May 2007. Hastings lost re-election to his predecessor, John Atkins, now a member of the Democratic Party.

Democratic primary
Delaware House of Representatives 41st district Democratic primary election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Atkins 1,095 53.86%
Democratic Barbara Lifflander 938 46.14%
Total votes 2,033 100%
General election
Delaware House of Representatives 41st district general election, 2008
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic John Atkins 5,665 52.99%
Republican Gregory Hastings (incumbent) 5,025 47.01%
Total votes 10,690 100%
Democratic gain from Republican

Notes
  1. Also nominated by the Libertarian Party.
  2. Also nominated by the Working Families Party.
  3. Also nominated by the Working Families Party.
  4. Also nominated by the Libertarian Party.
  5. Also nominated by the Working Families Party.
  6. Also nominated by the Working Families Party.
  7. Also nominated by the Working Families Party.

References
  1. "Delaware House of Representatives elections, 2008". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  2. "State of Delaware Primary Election (Official Results)". State of Delaware Department of Elections. October 2, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
  3. "State of Delaware General Election (Official Results)". State of Delaware Department of Elections. December 15, 2008. Retrieved June 22, 2023.
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