Delaware voters concluded their primary elections on September 15, 2026, selecting nominees for the U.S. Senate, the lone U.S. House seat, and various local offices as the final contests of the midterm election cycle. Democratic Senator Chris Coons and Representative Sarah McBride secured their party nominations, positioning themselves for the November general election.
What Happened
Incumbent Democratic Senator Chris Coons overwhelmingly defeated three challengers in the September 15 primary, solidifying his bid for a fourth term. Coons, first elected in 2010 to fill the seat after Joe Biden became vice president, faced opponents including Eric Hansen, who qualified on the ballot as “E. No-Trump Hansen.” Coons’ fundraising advantage was significant, having raised over $6.8 million compared to Hansen’s $150,000; the other challengers did not report any fundraising.
On the Republican side, former state legislator Mike Katz won the nomination, setting up a general election contest expected to favor Coons heavily. Delaware’s political landscape remains solidly Democratic, with no Republican having won a Senate seat since 1966.
For the U.S. House, Representative Sarah McBride, Delaware’s sole congressional representative, ran unopposed in the Democratic primary. She will face Republican Joe Arminio, who defeated his GOP primary opponents including McBride’s 2024 general election rival and a former Democratic primary challenger who switched parties.
Key Facts
Senator Coons’ campaign fundraising outpaced his competitors substantially, with over $6.8 million raised according to campaign reports, dwarfing the $150,000 reported by Eric Hansen. The state’s blue political leaning is historically entrenched; no Republican has secured a Senate seat since J. Caleb Boggs in 1966.
Sarah McBride, the first transgender U.S. congressperson, continues to hold the Democratic seat that has been in the party’s control since 2010. GOP opposition includes Republican Joe Arminio, who secured his party’s nomination on September 15.
What This Means
Delaware’s primaries have essentially reaffirmed the state’s Democratic political dominance as the general election approaches. Senator Coons, a well-established incumbent with a massive fundraising lead, is positioned for an expected easy victory in November, maintaining the Democrats’ hold on one of the state’s highest federal offices.
Representative McBride’s renomination puts a spotlight on her role as a historic figure in Congress and the cultural and political debates she has attracted, particularly relating to transgender rights. Despite Republican efforts to challenge her seat, Delaware’s electorate has demonstrated continuity in favoring Democratic candidates.
The political stability indicated by these results shapes the November midterms, providing insight into the electorate’s preferences in Delaware and reflecting broader national trends where incumbents with strong fundraising and party backing tend to prevail. Voters will now turn their attention to the general election contests, where Delaware’s blue-leaning electorate is expected to reaffirm its current congressional representation.
Background
Senator Coons entered the Senate in 2010 when Joe Biden vacated the seat upon becoming vice president. Since then, Coons has been reelected multiple times, benefiting from Delaware’s Democratic-leaning voter base. The state has not elected a Republican Senator since J. Caleb Boggs, who held the seat until Biden unseated him in 1972.
Sarah McBride, elected in 2024, made history as the first transgender member of Congress. Since taking office, she has been a focal point of partisan debates, including rules affecting members’ restroom use based on biological sex instituted by House Republicans.
What Comes Next
The victorious nominees will advance to the general election scheduled for November 2026, where Senator Coons and Representative McBride are heavily favored to retain their seats given Delaware’s Democratic lean.
Sources
This article is based on reporting and publicly available information from the following sources:
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