He served as the minority leader in the House from 2011 to 2013, during which time he was a leading opponent to marriage equality in Delaware.
[3][4] In 2012, Lavelle resigned his House seat to challenge incumbent Democrat Michael Katz in the Senate's 4th district, which he won in a three-way general election.
He served as the minority whip when he was ousted from his seat in 2018 in a major upset that was one of several losses for prominent Republicans in Delaware.
Lavelle was a large proponent against LGBT rights during his time in the Delaware General Assembly.
However, Lavelle voted in favor of legalizing medical marijuana to treat anxiety in 2015 and for reducing punishments for drug possession in 2011.