State legislative special elections, 2023
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State legislative elections Gubernatorial elections • Ballot measures |
In 2023, 53 state legislative special elections were scheduled in 21 states. Between 2011 and 2022, an average of 73 special elections took place each year. See the sections below for additional information on state legislative special elections in 2023.
- Causes: This section provides information on why special elections are held.
- Partisan control: This section provides information on the impact of special elections on the partisan composition of state legislatures.
- Special elections by date: This section lists all special elections held in 2023 in the order they were held.
- Historical data: This section contains data on special elections going back to 2010.
Causes
In 2023, special elections for state legislative positions were held for the following reasons:
- 10 due to appointment, election, or the seeking of election to another position
- 32 due to resignation
- 9 due to the death of the incumbent
- 2 due to removal from office
Partisan control
The partisan breakdown for the special elections was as follows:
- 33 Democratic seats
- 20 Republican seats
Noteworthy special elections
- New Hampshire District Rockingham 1
Hal Rafter (D) defeated James Guzofski (R) in the special election for New Hampshire House of Representatives District Rockingham 1 on September 19, 2023. The previous incumbent, Benjamin T. Bartlett IV (R), resigned on April 26, 2023, due to health concerns.[1]
The partisan composition on the day of the election was 198-196. Rafter's victory on the evening of September 19 brought the partisan composition to 198-197.
On August 13, 2023, the partisan composition of the New Hampshire House was 199 Republicans, 196 Democrats, two independents, and three vacancies. David Fracht (D) filled the first vacancy after being elected to Grafton 16 on August 22, bringing the partisan composition to 199-197 with two vacancies. Two additional House vacancies occurred when William Hatch (D) and Troy Merner (R) resigned on September 18 and 19, respectively.[2] Only one of the remaining three vacancies, Hillsborough 3, was scheduled for special election as of this writing on September 19. A Democratic victory in this district would bring the House's partisan composition to an even 198-198, while a Republican victory would result in a 199-197 split (with two independents and two vacancies).
Rafter was a partner for Waterline, an organization that provides river flow information for boaters and anglers. He previously worked for New Hampshire Housing for more than 35 years, and had served on the Nottingham School Board for eight years and the Nottingham Board of Selectmen for three years. Rafter said, "This election is important because the outcome could result in a NH House that is divided equally between Democrats and Republicans. ... If you are concerned about Republican attacks on education, women’s rights, voting rights, and their lack of attention to climate change, this election can make a difference."[3]
Guzofski was a Northwood selectman and a chaplain for the Northwood Fire Department. He had been in the ministry for 34 years. Guzofski said, "I have been elected twice to the office of selectman in Northwood dedicated to keep your taxes low. As selectman I have implemented plans for better communication between town officials and you. ... For years I have served our Nottingham and Northwood community, fighting for your needs in town."[4]
In 2020, former President Donald Trump (R) carried Rockingham 1 49.1% to 48.7%.[5] In 2022, U.S. Sen. Maggie Hassan (D) won the district 50% to 48%, while Democrats lost one of the district's three state House seats by 10 votes.[5] Heading into the election, New Hampshire had been a Republican trifecta since 2020. If Democrats won all three special elections, the state House would have split and New Hampshire's trifecta status would become divided. The state would remain a Republican trifecta if Democrats did not win all three special elections.
General election
Special general election for New Hampshire House of Representatives Rockingham 1
Hal Rafter defeated James Guzofski in the special general election for New Hampshire House of Representatives Rockingham 1 on September 19, 2023.
Candidate%Votes✔ Hal Rafter (D) 55.91,571 James Guzofski (R) 44.11,240 Total votes: 2,811 = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.
- Pennsylvania House of Representatives (February 7)
On May 16, 2023, Republicans won a special election in House District 108, while Democrats won a special election in House District 163, and as a result, Democrats maintained a majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. The results of these elections determined majority control of the chamber.
Michael Stender (R) defeated Trevor Finn (D) and Elijah Scretching (L) in District 108 with 70% of the vote to Finn's 26% and Scretching's 4%. Heather Boyd (D) defeated Katie Ford (R) and Alfe Goodwin (L) in District 163 with 60% of the vote to Ford's 39% and Goodwin's 1%. Following the new members' swearing in, partisan control of the chamber would be 102 Democrats to 101 Republicans.
Pennsylvania House Democrats won 102 districts to Republicans' 101 as a result of the 2022 elections. Three Democratic representatives left office after those elections, giving Republicans a functional 101-99 seat majority to start the 2023 legislative session. Democratic candidates then won special elections in all three vacant districts on February 7, 2023, giving the party a majority. Zabel's resignation reduced the majority by one. Click here to view a chart listing the key events affecting the partisan control of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives since October 2022.
Stender defeated Finn and Scretching in District 108 to succeed Lynda Schlegel Culver (R), who resigned on February 28, 2023, after she won a special election in the Pennsylvania State Senate.[6] Finn was elected to the Montour County commission in 2004.[7] He said his campaign platforms were "economic development, [advancing] the cause of all citizens, and protecting our small town heritage."[8] Stender was elected as an at-large member of the Shikellamy School Board in 2021.[9] Stender's campaign website said, "he supports American energy independence, backs our workers and small businesses and works to bring fiscal responsibility to state government."[10] As of the election, Scretching was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He said, "I love my family, my state, and my country, and I’m ready to continue serving."[11]
Boyd defeated Ford and Goodwin to succeed Michael Zabel (D) — who resigned on March 16, 2023 — in District 163.[12] Boyd worked as the district director for U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D) and said she was running "to make sure that every person and family in our district gets the resources and representation they deserve. ... [I] will fight for laws and budgets that serve the district."[13] Ford was a special needs instructor and said one of her priorities "will be to fight for the increased funding needed to properly educate our children, including those with special needs. ... Public safety, adequate funding, and training for law enforcement will also be a top priority."[14] Goodwin previously worked as a police officer, was a brigade command chaplain, and founded Follow Your Bliss LLC.[15] She said, "This is a wonderful opportunity for voters to take a second look and re-consider not only who we vote for but why we vote in the first place."[11]
According to CNalysis, in the 2020 presidential election under current district boundaries, Donald Trump (R) would have received 65% of the vote in District 108, while Joe Biden (D) would have received 62% of the vote in District 163.[16]
District 32
General election
Special general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 32
Joe McAndrew defeated Clay Walker in the special general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 32 on February 7, 2023.
Candidate%Votes✔ Joe McAndrew (D) 75.09,604 Clay Walker (R) 25.03,195 Total votes: 12,799 If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.
District 34
General election
Special general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 34
Abigail Salisbury defeated Robert Pagane in the special general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 34 on February 7, 2023.
Candidate%Votes✔ Abigail Salisbury (D) 87.910,282 Robert Pagane (R) 12.11,416 Total votes: 11,698 If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.
Withdrawn or disqualified candidates
- Bhavini Patel (D)
District 35
General election
Special general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 35
Matthew Gergely defeated Donald Nevills in the special general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 35 on February 7, 2023.
Candidate%Votes✔ Matthew Gergely (D) 74.76,792 Donald Nevills (R) 25.32,302 Total votes: 9,094 If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.
- Pennsylvania House of Representatives (May 16)
On May 16, 2023, Republicans won a special election in House District 108, while Democrats won a special election in House District 163, and as a result, Democrats maintained a majority in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. The results of these elections determined majority control of the chamber.
Michael Stender (R) defeated Trevor Finn (D) and Elijah Scretching (L) in District 108 with 70% of the vote to Finn's 26% and Scretching's 4%. Heather Boyd (D) defeated Katie Ford (R) and Alfe Goodwin (L) in District 163 with 60% of the vote to Ford's 39% and Goodwin's 1%. Following the new members' swearing in, partisan control of the chamber would be 102 Democrats to 101 Republicans.
Pennsylvania House Democrats won 102 districts to Republicans' 101 as a result of the 2022 elections. Three Democratic representatives left office after those elections, giving Republicans a functional 101-99 seat majority to start the 2023 legislative session. Democratic candidates then won special elections in all three vacant districts on February 7, 2023, giving the party a majority. Zabel's resignation reduced the majority by one. Click here to view a chart listing the key events affecting the partisan control of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives since October 2022.
Stender defeated Finn and Scretching in District 108 to succeed Lynda Schlegel Culver (R), who resigned on February 28, 2023, after she won a special election in the Pennsylvania State Senate.[17] Finn was elected to the Montour County commission in 2004.[18] He said his campaign platforms were "economic development, [advancing] the cause of all citizens, and protecting our small town heritage."[19] Stender was elected as an at-large member of the Shikellamy School Board in 2021.[20] Stender's campaign website said, "he supports American energy independence, backs our workers and small businesses and works to bring fiscal responsibility to state government."[21] As of the election, Scretching was a U.S. Marine Corps veteran. He said, "I love my family, my state, and my country, and I’m ready to continue serving."[11]
Boyd defeated Ford and Goodwin to succeed Michael Zabel (D) — who resigned on March 16, 2023 — in District 163.[22] Boyd worked as the district director for U.S. Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (D) and said she was running "to make sure that every person and family in our district gets the resources and representation they deserve. ... [I] will fight for laws and budgets that serve the district."[13] Ford was a special needs instructor and said one of her priorities "will be to fight for the increased funding needed to properly educate our children, including those with special needs. ... Public safety, adequate funding, and training for law enforcement will also be a top priority."[14] Goodwin previously worked as a police officer, was a brigade command chaplain, and founded Follow Your Bliss LLC.[23] She said, "This is a wonderful opportunity for voters to take a second look and re-consider not only who we vote for but why we vote in the first place."[11]
According to CNalysis, in the 2020 presidential election under current district boundaries, Donald Trump (R) would have received 65% of the vote in District 108, while Joe Biden (D) would have received 62% of the vote in District 163.[24]
District 108
General election
Special general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 108
Michael Stender defeated Trevor Finn and Elijah Scretching in the special general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 108 on May 16, 2023.
Candidate%Votes✔ Michael Stender (R) 58.46,600 Trevor Finn (D) 38.24,318 Elijah Scretching (L) 3.5393 Total votes: 11,311 If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.
District 163
General election
Special general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 163
Heather Boyd defeated Katie Ford and Alfe Goodwin in the special general election for Pennsylvania House of Representatives District 163 on May 16, 2023.
Candidate%Votes✔ Heather Boyd (D) 60.29,415 Katie Ford (R) 38.66,040 Alfe Goodwin (L) 1.2194 Total votes: 15,649 If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.
- Virginia State Senate District 7
Aaron Rouse (D) defeated Kevin Adams (R) in the January 10, 2023, special general election for Virginia State Senate District 7. Rouse's victory gave Democrats a 22-18 majority in the state Senate.[25] The special election was called after the previous incumbent, Sen. Jennifer Kiggans (R), resigned on November 15, 2022, after being elected to represent Virginia's 2nd Congressional District.[26]
Going into the election, Democrats had a 21-18 majority in the state Senate (with the District 7 vacancy). According to Daily Kos' David Nir, District 7 "has been very swingy: In 2019, Kiggans won it by less than one point, while Joe Biden carried it by 10 points the following year, only to see [Glenn] Youngkin prevail by 4 points in 2021."[27]
At the time of the election, Rouse, a former NFL player, had been an at-large member of the Virginia Beach City Council since 2018. Rouse said, “So much is at stake in this upcoming election, from a woman’s fundamental right to choose, which I will fiercely defend, to the efforts that will set us back on voting rights, to addressing climate change, protecting the Chesapeake Bay and waterways, to criminal justice reform.”[28] Rouse listed education as his top priority, including raising teacher salaries and expanding access to preschool.[29] Rouse also listed the economy, healthcare, and public safety as priorities.[29]
At the time of the election, Adams was a retired U.S. Navy lieutenant commander who founded and operated a handyman business. Adams said he will "continue working to pass Governor Glenn Youngkin’s pro-veteran agenda, cut taxes, ease regulations, keep our communities safe, and make it easier for small business owners like me to get started and stay in business.”[30] Adams' platform included working to improve education and workforce training, supporting veterans, lowering gas, grocery, and sales taxes, and growing "school funding while shrinking the power of left-wing idealogues."[31]
General election
Special general election for Virginia State Senate District 7
Incumbent Aaron Rouse defeated Kevin Adams in the special general election for Virginia State Senate District 7 on January 10, 2023.
Candidate%Votes✔ Aaron Rouse (D) 50.819,923 Kevin Adams (R) 49.119,227 Other/Write-in votes 0.134 Total votes: 39,184 If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.
- Wisconsin State Senate District 8
Daniel Knodl (R) defeated Jodi Habush Sinykin (D) in the special general election for Wisconsin Senate District 8 on April 4, 2023. Republicans regained a supermajority in the state Senate after Knodl won the election. As of the election, a party with a two-thirds supermajority in the Senate could suspend Senate rules and impeach state officials.[32]
Republicans represented the district since 1993, following Alberta Darling's (R) election in 1992. Republicans gained a supermajority in 2022. Darling's December 1, 2022, retirement reduced Senate Republicans' 22-member supermajority to a 21-member majority.[33]
Habush Sinykin was an environmental lawyer and textile mill owner. Her campaign website said, "Jodi is running on the issues that actually matter to the people of the 8th Senate District: keeping good paying jobs here in Wisconsin, ensuring public safety, and protecting a woman's right to [choose]."[34]
Knodl owned a lakeside resort and had served as a member of the Wisconsin Assembly since 2009. He represented District 24. Knodl's campaign website said, "My priority is to help keep our communities safe and thriving and make sure state government is working efficiently for the people."[35]
During redistricting, the 8th District was redrawn to include portions of Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Washington, and Waukesha counties. Before redistricting, the district leaned 54% Republican.
General election
Special general election for Wisconsin State Senate District 8
Daniel Knodl defeated Jodi Habush Sinykin in the special general election for Wisconsin State Senate District 8 on April 4, 2023.
Candidate%Votes✔ Daniel Knodl (R) 50.838,492 Jodi Habush Sinykin (D) 49.137,200 Other/Write-in votes 0.159 Total votes: 75,751 If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey. Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.
Special elections by date
Vacancies
Partisan breakdown of vacancies
- See also: State legislative vacancies, 2023
In 2023, there were 155 state legislative vacancies in 44 states.
The process for filling vacancies varies among the state legislatures. Twenty-five states fill vacancies in the state legislature through special elections. Twenty-one states fill vacancies through appointments, and four states fill vacancies through a hybrid system that uses both appointments and special elections. The most common reasons for a state legislative vacancy include officeholders resigning, dying, leaving for a new job, being elected or appointed to a different office, or receiving a legal conviction.
The table below details the partisan breakdown for state legislative vacancies in 2023. The number on the left reflects how many vacant seats were originally held by each party, while the number on the right shows how many vacant seats each party held after the special elections and appointments took place.
| Partisan breakdown of the vacancies (2023) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of vacancy | After vacancy | |
| Democratic Party | |||
| Republican Party | |||
| Independent | |||
| Total | 155 | 155 | |
Seats that changed party control
The table below details how many seats changed parties as the result of a special election in 2023. The number on the left reflects how many vacant seats were originally held by each party, while the number on the right shows how many vacant seats each party won in the special elections.
Note: This table reflects information for elections that were held and not the total number of vacant seats.
| Partisan Change from Special Elections (2023) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | As of Special Election | After Special Election | |
| Democratic Party | 33 | 33 | |
| Republican Party | 20 | 20 | |
| Independent | 0 | 0 | |
| Total | 53 | 53 | |
Flipped seats
In 2023, four seats flipped as a result of state legislative special elections.
Seats flipped from D to R
- Maine House of Representatives District 45 (June 13)
- Massachusetts State Senate Worcester & Hampshire District (November 8)
Seats flipped from R to D
- Virginia State Senate District 7 (January 10)
- New Hampshire House of Representatives District Rockingham 1 (September 19)
Historical data
State breakdown by year
The table below details how many state legislative special elections were held in a state in a given year. From 2010 to 2024, Georgia held the most state legislative special elections with 82. Pennsylvania held the second-most special elections with 69.
See also
- State legislative elections, 2023
- State legislative elections, 2022
- State legislative elections, 2021
- State legislative elections, 2020
- State legislative elections, 2019
- State legislative elections, 2018
- State legislative special elections, 2022
- State legislative special elections, 2021
- State legislative special elections, 2020
- State legislative special elections, 2019
- State legislative special elections, 2018
Footnotes
- ↑ New Hampshire Bulletin, "Citing poor health, Nottingham Republican House member steps down," April 26, 2023
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Democrats flip key New Hampshire seat, putting them inches from erasing GOP's majority," September 19, 2023
- ↑ Facebook, "Rafter for State Representative," August 4, 2023
- ↑ Elect James Guzofski State Representatives, "Continuing Service To Our Community," accessed August 14, 2023
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Daily Kos, "How the New Hampshire House could wind up in an exact tie between Democrats and Republicans," May 31, 2023
- ↑ pennlive.com, "Schlegel Culver seated in Pa. Senate, leaving House with an open seat," February 28, 2023
- ↑ Montour County, "Office of the County Commissioners," accessed May 1, 2023
- ↑ Trevor Finn State Representative, "Home," accessed May 7, 2023
- ↑ The Daily Item, "Four elected to board at Shikellamy," November 2, 2021
- ↑ Michael Stender State House, "Home," accessed April 2, 2023
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Libertarian Party of Pennsylvania, "Libertarians Enter Special Elections For 108th & 163rd," March 30, 2023
- ↑ Spotlight PA, "Pa. House lawmaker accused of sexual harassment says he will resign," March 8, 2023
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Twitter, "PA House Dems," March 27, 2023
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 Politics PA, "Delco GOP Picks Ford As Candidate For HD-163," March 24, 2023
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Alfeia DeVaughn- Goodwin, Ph.D., MPHL, MAR.," accessed April 19, 2023
- ↑ CNalysis, "2020 Presidential by 2020s Legislative Districts," accessed April 2, 2023
- ↑ pennlive.com, "Schlegel Culver seated in Pa. Senate, leaving House with an open seat," February 28, 2023
- ↑ Montour County, "Office of the County Commissioners," accessed May 1, 2023
- ↑ Trevor Finn State Representative, "Home," accessed May 7, 2023
- ↑ The Daily Item, "Four elected to board at Shikellamy," November 2, 2021
- ↑ Michael Stender State House, "Home," accessed April 2, 2023
- ↑ Spotlight PA, "Pa. House lawmaker accused of sexual harassment says he will resign," March 8, 2023
- ↑ LinkedIn, "Alfeia DeVaughn- Goodwin, Ph.D., MPHL, MAR.," accessed April 19, 2023
- ↑ CNalysis, "2020 Presidential by 2020s Legislative Districts," accessed April 2, 2023
- ↑ Wavy.com, "Democrat Rouse defeats GOP’s Adams in 7th District Va. Senate race," January 10, 2023
- ↑ WRIC, "Special election to fill Kiggans’ Virginia Senate seat set for Jan. 10," November 15, 2022
- ↑ Daily Kos, "Want to keep on winning? We have the chance for a huge flip in Virginia next month," December 7, 2022
- ↑ 13 News Now, "Aaron Rouse will run for Virginia Senate seat held by Jen Kiggans," November 14, 2022
- ↑ 29.0 29.1 Aaron Rouse, "Priorities," accessed December 20, 2022
- ↑ Wavy, "Rouse, Adams running to fill Va. State Senate seat vacated by Kiggans," November 14, 2022
- ↑ Kevin Adams 2022 campaign website, "My Platform," accessed December 11, 2022
- ↑ Wisconsin Examiner, "Knodl to win tight race for Senate seat, securing Republican supermajority," April 5, 2023
- ↑ Urban Milwaukee, "Sen. Alberta Darling Is Retiring," November 26, 2022
- ↑ Jodi Habush Sinykin For State Senate, "Get Involved!" accessed February 27, 2023
- ↑ Knodl For State Senate, "Welcome," accessed February 27, 2023
- ↑ 36.0 36.1 36.2 Candidates running for special elections in Virginia are selected through firehouse primaries administered by each political party.
- ↑ This contest was between the candidates who tied in the general election on November 8, 2022.
- ↑ The special election was called for January 9, 2024, but the election was won outright in the primary runoff on October 24, 2023.
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