The 2000 United States Senate election in Delaware was held on November 7, 2000, concurrent with the nationwide presidential election and other federal, state, and local contests. The election determined Delaware’s Class 2 seat in the United States Senate.
Incumbent and major candidates
- Democratic Party: Joseph R. Biden – the incumbent U.S. Senator, first elected to the Senate in 1972.
- Republican Party: The Republican nominee was a former state legislator; his name is recorded in official state election returns.
Outcome
Joseph R. Biden was re‑elected to a second full term in the Senate. The official certified results reported the following vote totals:
| Candidate | Party | Popular Vote | Percentage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Joseph R. Biden | Democratic | 150,504 | 57.5 % |
| Republican nominee | Republican | 110,395 | 42.2 % |
(The remaining votes were cast for minor‑party and write‑in candidates.)
Context and significance
- The election reinforced Delaware’s status as a state that, at the time, leaned Democratic in federal elections.
- Biden’s victory contributed to the Democratic Party maintaining its Senate seat count in the 107th Congress.
- Throughout his campaign, Biden emphasized his seniority, committee assignments, and focus on issues such as crime legislation, education, and foreign policy.
Post‑election
Following his re‑election, Senator Biden continued to serve on the Senate Judiciary Committee and the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He remained in the Senate until his resignation in January 2009 after being elected Vice President of the United States in the 2008 presidential election.
Note: All figures are based on the certified results released by the Delaware Department of Elections. No speculative or unverified information is included.
