Delaware House of Representatives District 15
Delaware House of Representatives District 15 is represented by Kamela Smith (D).
As of the 2020 Census, Delaware state representatives represented an average of 24,167 residents. After the 2010 Census, each member represented 21,973 residents.
About the office
Members of the Delaware House of Representatives serve two-year terms and are not subject to term limits.[1] Delaware legislators assume office the first Wednesday after the first Monday in November (the day after election day).[2][3]
Qualifications
Article II, Section 3 of the Delaware Constitution states: "No person shall be a Representative who shall not have attained the age of twenty-four years, and have been a citizen and inhabitant of the State three years next preceding the day of his or her election, and the last year of that term an inhabitant of the Representative District in which he or she shall be chosen, unless he or she shall have been absent on the public business of the United States or of this State."[4]
Salaries
- See also: Comparison of state legislative salaries
| State legislative salaries, 2024[5] | |
|---|---|
| Salary | Per diem |
| $50,678/year | No per diem is paid. |
Vacancies
If there is a vacancy in the Delaware General Assembly, the presiding officer of the house in which the vacancy happens must call for a special election within 10 days of the creation of the vacancy. The election must be called for no less than 30 days but no more than 35 days after the writ for the special election has been issued. The governor may issue a writ if the legislature is not in session.[6]
See sources: Delaware Code Ann. tit. 15, § 7101
District map
Redistricting
2020-2022
On November 2, 2021, Gov. John Carney (D) signed Senate Bill 199 into law, enacting the state's new House and Senate district lines.[7] The Delaware General Assembly previously approved the final House and Senate map proposals on November 1, 2021.[8] The Delaware House of Representatives voted 40-1 in favor of the maps with state Rep. Michael Smith (R) voting against it. The Delaware State Senate approved the maps along party lines with all 14 Democrats in favor and all seven Republicans against.[8] These maps took effect for Delaware's 2022 legislative elections.
How does redistricting in Delaware work? Because Delaware has only one congressional district, congressional redistricting is not necessary. The state legislature draws state legislative district lines. The governor may veto the lines drawn by the state legislature.[9][10]
State law requires that state legislative districts be "insofar as possible, contiguous and bounded by roads, streams and other natural boundaries." Further, state law stipulates that district lines "may not be drawn to unduly favor any person or political party." Because these requirements are statutory, the legislature may amend them at its discretion.[9][10]
Delaware House of Representatives District 15
until November 8, 2022
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Delaware House of Representatives District 15
starting November 9, 2022
Click a district to compare boundaries.
Elections
2024
See also: Delaware House of Representatives elections, 2024
General election
General election for Delaware House of Representatives District 15
Kamela Smith won election in the general election for Delaware House of Representatives District 15 on November 5, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ |  | Kamela Smith (D)  | 100.0 | 9,286 |
| Total votes: 9,286 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Delaware House of Representatives District 15
Kamela Smith defeated incumbent Valerie Longhurst in the Democratic primary for Delaware House of Representatives District 15 on September 10, 2024.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Kamela Smith | 53.3 | 1,453 |
 | Valerie Longhurst | 46.7 | 1,273 | |
| Total votes: 2,726 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
2022
General election
General election for Delaware House of Representatives District 15
Incumbent Valerie Longhurst defeated Michael Higgin in the general election for Delaware House of Representatives District 15 on November 8, 2022.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Valerie Longhurst (D) | 68.9 | 5,086 |
 | Michael Higgin (R) | 31.1 | 2,301 | |
| Total votes: 7,387 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Valerie Longhurst advanced from the Democratic primary for Delaware House of Representatives District 15.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Michael Higgin advanced from the Republican primary for Delaware House of Representatives District 15.
2020
General election
General election for Delaware House of Representatives District 15
Incumbent Valerie Longhurst defeated Michael Higgin and Amy Merlino in the general election for Delaware House of Representatives District 15 on November 3, 2020.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Valerie Longhurst (D) | 67.8 | 9,112 |
| Michael Higgin (R) | 30.5 | 4,091 | |
| Amy Merlino (L) | 1.7 | 227 | |
| Total votes: 13,430 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
The Democratic primary election was canceled. Incumbent Valerie Longhurst advanced from the Democratic primary for Delaware House of Representatives District 15.
Republican primary election
The Republican primary election was canceled. Michael Higgin advanced from the Republican primary for Delaware House of Representatives District 15.
2018
General election
General election for Delaware House of Representatives District 15
Incumbent Valerie Longhurst defeated Amy Merlino in the general election for Delaware House of Representatives District 15 on November 6, 2018.
Candidate | % | Votes | ||
| ✔ | | Valerie Longhurst (D) | 87.9 | 7,329 |
| Amy Merlino (L) | 12.1 | 1,011 | |
| Total votes: 8,340 | |||
| = 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. | ||||
Democratic primary election
Democratic primary for Delaware House of Representatives District 15
Incumbent Valerie Longhurst advanced from the Democratic primary for Delaware House of Representatives District 15 on September 6, 2018.
Candidate | ||
| ✔ | | Valerie Longhurst |
| ||||
| = 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. | ||||
2016
Elections for the Delaware House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election took place on September 13, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was July 12, 2016.
Incumbent Valerie Longhurst ran unopposed in the Delaware House of Representatives District 15 general election.[11][12]
| Delaware House of Representatives, District 15 General Election, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic |  Valerie Longhurst Incumbent (unopposed) |
100.00% | 9,390 | |
| Total Votes | 9,390 | |||
| Source: Delaware Department of Elections | ||||
Incumbent Valerie Longhurst defeated James Burton in the Delaware House of Representatives District 15 Democratic primary.[13][14][11]
| Delaware House of Representatives, District 15 Democratic Primary, 2016 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
| Democratic | Valerie Longhurst Incumbent |
64.45% | 1,106 | |
| Democratic | James Burton | 35.55% | 610 | |
| Total Votes | 1,716 | |||
2014
Elections for the Delaware House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on September 9, 2014. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was July 8, 2014. Incumbent Valerie Longhurst defeated James Burton in the Democratic primary, while Matthew Lenzini was unopposed in the Republican primary. Longhurst defeated Lenzini in the general election.[15][16][17][18]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Valerie Longhurst Incumbent |
68.1% | 3,906 | |
| Republican | Matthew Lenzini | 31.9% | 1,828 | |
| Total Votes | 5,734 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Valerie Longhurst Incumbent |
64.3% | 626 |
| James Burton | 35.7% | 347 |
| Total Votes | 973 | |
2012
Elections for the office of Delaware House of Representatives consisted of a primary election on February 11, 2012, and a general election on November 6, 2012. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in this election was February 6, 2012. Incumbent Valerie Longhurst defeated James D. Burton in the August 14 Democratic primary election, before defeating Amy Merlino (L) in the general election. Merlino ran without primary opposition.[19] [20]
| Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Democratic | Valerie Longhurst Incumbent |
93.5% | 8,385 | |
| Libertarian | Amy Merlino | 6.5% | 585 | |
| Total Votes | 8,970 | |||
| Candidate | Vote % | Votes |
|---|---|---|
|
Valerie Longhurst Incumbent |
57.9% | 665 |
| James D. Burton | 42.1% | 483 |
| Total Votes | 1,148 | |
Campaign contributions
From 2000 to 2024, candidates for Delaware House of Representatives District 15 raised a total of $705,526. Candidates who raised money in contributions earned $26,131 on average. All figures come from Follow the Money
| Campaign contributions, Delaware House of Representatives District 15 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Amount | Candidates | Average |
| 2024 | $163,189 | 2 | $81,595 |
| 2022 | $91,080 | 2 | $45,540 |
| 2020 | $47,125 | 2 | $23,563 |
| 2018 | $33,675 | 2 | $16,838 |
| 2016 | $57,121 | 2 | $28,561 |
| 2014 | $113,731 | 3 | $37,910 |
| 2012 | $30,150 | 3 | $10,050 |
| 2010 | $20,427 | 3 | $6,809 |
| 2008 | $14,233 | 1 | $14,233 |
| 2006 | $36,610 | 2 | $18,305 |
| 2004 | $40,305 | 2 | $20,153 |
| 2002 | $48,430 | 2 | $24,215 |
| 2000 | $9,450 | 1 | $9,450 |
| Total | $705,526 | 27 | $26,131 |
See also
- Delaware State Legislature
- Delaware State Senate
- Delaware House of Representatives
- Delaware state legislative districts
External links
Footnotes
- ↑ Delaware General Assembly," "Delaware House of Representatives," accessed December 16, 2013
- ↑ Delaware Constitution, "Article II, Section 3," accessed November 1, 2021
- ↑ Delaware Constitution, "Article II, Section 4," accessed November 1, 2021
- ↑ The Delaware Code Online, "Article II. Legislature - Section 3," accessed January 25, 2023
- ↑ National Conference of State Legislatures, "2024 Legislator Compensation," August 21, 2024
- ↑ Delaware Legislature, "Delaware Election Code," accessed May 22, 2014 (Statutes § 7101 and § 7104, Delaware Code)
- ↑ Delaware General Assembly, "Senate Bill 199," accessed Nov. 15, 2021
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 WGMD, "Redistricting Legislation Passes in Delaware – Waiting for Governor’s Signature," Nov. 1, 2021
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 All About Redistricting, "Delaware," accessed April 22, 2015
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Delaware Code, "Title 29, Chapter 8," accessed April 22, 2015
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Delaware.gov, "General election candidates," accessed September 27, 2016 Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; name "glist16" defined multiple times with different content - ↑ Delaware Department of Elections, "General Election (Official Results)," accessed November 23, 2016
- ↑ Delaware.gov, "Primary election candidates," accessed July 13, 2016
- ↑ Delaware Department of Elections, Primary Election (Official Returns)," accessed September 22, 2016
- ↑ State of Delaware, "Official primary election candidate list," accessed July 10, 2014
- ↑ State of Delaware, "Official general election candidate list," accessed July 10, 2014
- ↑ State of Delaware, "Official primary election results," accessed September 17, 2014
- ↑ State of Delaware, "Official general election results," accessed November 13, 2014
- ↑ Delaware Secretary of State, "2012 General Election," November 4, 2013
- ↑ Delaware Secretary of State, "2012 General Primary,” November 4, 2013
