Republican Anthony DelCollo, a political newcomer, upset long-standing Senate Pro Temp Patricia Blevins Tuesday night.
The 26-year political veteran, Patricia Blevins lost to DelCollo by 206 votes.
In a statement, Blevins thanked her family, friends and supporters for their work, calling it “an honor of a lifetime.”
I’m proud to have played a small part in moving our state forward. We’ve made some important strides in becoming a more vibrant, prosperous and welcoming state, and I hope that progress can continue under new leadership, said Blevins in her statement.
DelCollo didn’t return a request for comment.
With state Sen. Bethany Hall-Long winning the lieutenant governor’s race, Democrats and Republicans both retain 10 seats in the State Senate, with a special election for Hall-Long's seat holding the fate of the upper chamber.
The GOP hasn’t controlled the Senate for more than forty years and with Democrats losing even one seat, budget negotiations will be much less one-sided than in the past.
Should Republicans secure the Senate, it will be the first time the General Assembly has seen split chambers since 2007.
In other contested State Senate races, incumbent Democrats Harris McDowell (D-Wilmington North), David Sokola (D-Newark) and Bruce Ennis (D-Smyrna), fended off younger Republican James Spadola, Meredith Chapman and Carl Pace.
All House incumbents were also victorious Tuesday, leaving that chamber intact.