The Delaware Senate is the upper house of the Delaware General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. State of Delaware. It is composed of 21 Senators, each of whom is elected to a four-year term, except when reapportionment occurs, at which time Senators may be elected to a two-year term. There is no limit to the number of terms that a Senator may serve. The Delaware Senate meets at the Legislative Hall in Dover.
In order to accommodate the ten-year cycle of reapportionment, the terms of office of the several Senators are staggered so that ten Senators are elected to terms of two years at the first biennial general election following reapportionment, followed by two four-year terms, and eleven Senators are elected at the said election for two four-year terms, followed by a two-year term.
Like other upper houses of state and territorial legislatures and the federal U.S. Senate, the Senate can confirm or reject gubernatorial appointments to the state cabinet, commissions, boards, or justices to the Delaware Supreme Court.
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Qualifications
Senators must be citizens of the United States, have lived in Delaware for three years, and have been a resident of their respective district for at least one year preceding their election. They must also be at least 27 years old at the time of their election.
Senate Leadership
The Lieutenant Governor of Delaware serves as the President of the Senate, but only casts a vote if required to break a tie. In his or her absence, the President Pro Tempore presides over the Senate. The President Pro Tempore is elected by the majority party caucus followed by confirmation of the entire Senate through a Senate Resolution. The President Pro Tempore is the chief leadership position in the Senate. The other Senate leaders are elected by their respective party caucuses.
The President of the Senate is Delaware Lieutenant Governor Matt Denn. The President Pro Tempore is Anthony J. DeLuca.[3]
The current leadership for the 144th senate is as follows:
- Sen. Patricia Blevins, Majority Leader
- Sen. Margaret Rose Henry, Majority Whip
- Sen. F. Gary Simpson, Minority Leader
- Sen. Liane Sorenson, Minority Whip
Make-up of the Senate
| Affiliation | Party
(Shading indicates majority caucus)
|
Total | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Republican | Vacant | ||
| End of previous legislature | 13 | 8 | 21 | 0 |
| Begin | 16 | 5 | 21 | 0 |
| June 23, 2009 [1] | 15 | 20 | 1 | |
| August 3, 2009 [2] | 6 | 21 | 0 | |
| Latest voting share | 71.4% | 28.6% | ||
Members
| District | Name | Party | First Elected | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harris McDowell III | Dem | 1976 | North Wilmington |
| 2 | Margaret Henry | Dem | 1994 | East Wilmington |
| 3 | Robert Marshall | Dem | 1978 | West Wilmington |
| 4 | Michael Katz | Dem | 2008 | Centerville |
| 5 | Catherine Cloutier | Rep | 2000 | Heatherbrooke |
| 6 | Liane Sorenson | Rep | 1995 | Hockessin |
| 7 | Patricia Blevins | Dem | 1990 | Elsmere |
| 8 | David Sokola | Dem | 1990 | Newark |
| 9 | Karen Peterson | Dem | 2002 | Stanton |
| 10 | Bethany Hall-Long | Dem | 2008 | Glasgow |
| 11 | Anthony J. DeLuca | Dem | 1998 | Varlano |
| 12 | Dorinda Connor | Rep | 1997 | Penn Acres |
| 13 | David McBride | Dem | 1980 | Hawk's Nest |
| 14 | Bruce Ennis | Dem | 2007 | Clayton |
| 15 | Nancy Cook | Dem | 1974 | Kenton |
| 16 | Colin R. J. Bonini | Rep | 1994 | South Dover |
| 17 | Brian Bushweller | Dem | 2008 | North Dover |
| 18 | F. Gary Simpson | Rep | 1999 | Milford |
| 19 | Joseph W. Booth | Rep | 2009 | Georgetown |
| 20 | George Bunting, Jr. | Dem | 1996 | Bethany Beach |
| 21 | Robert Venables, Sr. | Dem | 1988 | Laurel |
References
- "Delaware State Senate (lead page of sub-site)". Delaware General Assembly. State of Delaware. http://www.legis.state.de.us/Legislature.nsf/Lookup/SenateHome?open&nav=senate. Retrieved 2006-10-07.
- ^ "143rd General Assembly - Senators". Delaware General Assembly. State of Delaware. http://www.legis.state.de.us/LEGISLATURE.NSF/sen?openview&nav=senate. Retrieved 2006-10-07.
See also
- List of Delaware State Senators
- Delaware State Capitol
- Delaware General Assembly
- Delaware House of Representatives
External links
- Delaware State Senate official government website
- Project Vote Smart - State Senate of Delaware
References
- ^ Democrat Thurman Adams, Jr. died June 23, 2009.
- ^ Republican Joseph Booth won special election for the 19th district. [1] [2]
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