Delaware's 17th Senate district

Delaware's 17th Senate district is one of 21 districts in the Delaware Senate. It has been represented by Democrat W. Charles Paradee since 2018, succeeding fellow Democrat Brian Bushweller.^[3]

Delaware's 17th State Senate district
Senator	W. Charles Paradee D–Dover
Registration	51.8% Democratic 23.1% Republican 25.1% No party preference
Demographics	46% White 39% Black 7% Hispanic 2% Asian 1% Native American 4% Other
Population (2018)	46,208[1]
Registered voters	31,330[2]

Geography

District 17 is based in Dover, covering most of the city proper as well as the nearby Kent County communities of Camden, Wyoming, and Rodney Village.^[4][5]

Like all districts in the state, the 17th Senate district is located entirely within Delaware's at-large congressional district. It overlaps with the 28th, 29th, 31st, 32nd, and 34th districts of the Delaware House of Representatives.^[6]

Recent election results

Delaware Senators are elected to staggered four-year terms. Under normal circumstances, the 17th district holds elections in midterm years, except immediately after redistricting, when all seats are up for election regardless of usual cycle.

2024

Delaware Senate 17th district general election, 2024

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	W. Charles Paradee	14,630	100%
Total votes			14,630	100%
	Democratic hold

2018

2018 Delaware Senate election, District 17^[7]

Primary election
Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Justin King	1,240	67.5
	Republican	Donyale Hall	596	32.5
Total votes			1,836	100
General election
	Democratic	W. Charles Paradee	9,343	64.3
	Republican	Justin King	5,194	35.7
Total votes			14,537	100
	Democratic hold

2014

2014 Delaware Senate election, District 17^[7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Brian Bushweller (incumbent)	5,811	60.0
	Republican	Kim Warfield	3,881	40.0
Total votes			9,692	100
	Democratic hold

2012

2012 Delaware Senate election, District 17^[7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Brian Bushweller (incumbent)	13,161	100
Total votes			13,161	100
	Democratic hold

Federal and statewide results

Year	Office	Results[8][9]
2020	President	Biden 65.2 – 32.9%
2016	President	Clinton 58.1 – 36.2%
2014	Senate	Coons 57.4 – 41.1%
2012	President	Obama 61.9 – 36.7%
	Senate	Carper 68.8 – 27.1%
	Governor	Markell 68.4 – 29.1%