Delaware has 14 contested state legislative primaries this year, an 8% increase from 2020.
Of the 14 contested primaries, there are 11 for Democrats and three for Republicans. For Democrats, this is down from 12 in 2020, an 8% decrease. For Republicans, the number is up 67% from one in 2020.
Eight incumbents face primary challenges, representing 15% of all incumbents running for re-election. This is lower than in 2020 and 2014, but higher than the 2018 and 2016 election cycles.
Of the eight incumbents in contested primaries, six are Democrats and two are Republicans.
Overall, 108 major party candidates—62 Democrats and 46 Republicans—filed to run. All 41 House and 21 Senate seats are up for election.
Seven of those seats are open, meaning no incumbents filed. This guarantees that at least 11% of the legislature will be represented by newcomers next year, the second-largest such percentage compared to the four preceding election cycles behind 2018, when 21% of seats were guaranteed to newcomers.
Delaware has had a Democratic trifecta since the party won control of the House in 2008. Democrats currently have a 26-15 majority in the House and a 14-7 majority in the Senate.
Delaware’s state legislative primaries are scheduled for Sept. 13, the 17th and final statewide primary date of the 2022 state legislative election cycle.
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