Delaware held its general election on November 6, 2012, deciding 62 legislative seats and 3 statewide offices led by the governorship. No chamber changed party control.
Highlights
- Democrats kept full control of state government and their three-fifths supermajorities in both chambers. Republicans gained a net Senate seat, trimming the Democratic edge to 13-8, and Democrats gained one House seat for a 27-14 majority.
- Gov. Jack Markell (D) easily won a second term, beating Jeff Cragg (R) by about 41 points. Cragg had attacked the state's unemployment and Markell's spending to lure Fisker Automotive and Bloom Energy. Lt. Gov. Matthew Denn (D) and Insurance Commissioner Karen Weldin Stewart (D) were also re-elected comfortably.
- Both Republican Senate pickups went to House GOP leaders. Greg Lavelle (R), who had been the House minority leader, unseated Sen. Michael Katz (D) by fewer than 800 votes in Senate District 4, and former House minority whip Gerald Hocker (R) won the open District 20, which a Democrat had held. Democrats answered when Nicole Poore (D) unseated Sen. Dorinda Connor (R) in District 12.
- Across the 62 legislative races on the first maps drawn after the 2010 census, 4 seats changed party and 3 incumbents lost; 23 races had only one candidate. Democrats' House gain came when Trey Paradee (D) unseated Rep. Lincoln Willis (R) by about 9 points in House District 29. Rep. John Atkins (D) held House District 41 by fewer than 70 votes over Rich Collins (R).
Legislature
- House (41 seats): 26 D, 15 R before the election, 27 D, 14 R after; control stayed with Democrats.
- Senate (21 seats): 14 D, 7 R before the election, 13 D, 8 R after; control stayed with Democrats.
Statewide races
| Race | Winner | Others | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Governor | Jack Markell (D) 69.34% | Jeff Cragg (R) 28.59%, Mark Perri (G) 1.15% | |
| Insurance Commissioner | Karen Weldin Stewart (D) 61.11% | Benjamin Mobley (R) 36.84%, David Eisenhour (L) 2.05% | |
| Lt. Governor | Matthew Denn (D) 61.6% | Sher Valenzuela (R) 37.1%, Margie Waite-McKeown (L) 1.3% |