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Delaware Senate

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 meet at the Legislative Hall in Dover.

In order to accommodate the 10 year cycle of reapportionment, the terms of office of the several Senators are staggered so that 10 Senators are elected to terms of 2 years at the first biennial general election following reapportionment, followed by two 4 year terms, and 11 Senators are elected at the said election for two 4 year terms, followed by a 2 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.

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 John C. Carney, Jr. The President Pro Tempore is Democrat Thurman Adams, Jr. of District 19 (Bridgeville).

The current leadership for the 144th senate is as follows:

Sen. Anthony DeLuca, Majority Leader

Sen. Patricia Blevins, Majority Whip

Sen. Charles L. Copeland, Minority Leader

Sen. Liane M. Sorenson, Minority Whip

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.

Make-up of the Senate

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Affiliation		Members
	Democratic Party	13
	Republican Party	8
Total		21
Majority		5

References

Delaware State Senate (lead page of sub-site). Delaware General Assembly. State of Delaware. Retrieved on 2006-10-07..
143rd General Assembly - Senators. Delaware General Assembly. State of Delaware. Retrieved on 2006-10-07..