Story perspectives

Coons, Katz Win Delaware Senate Primaries With Big Margins

By Drooid · Sep 16, 2026, 2:29 PM UTC · How we work

Center

No Republican Opposition

Delaware held primary elections on Sept. 15, 2026, choosing party nominees for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, attorney general, state treasurer and other offices.
Incumbents Coons, Jennings and McBride secured nominations, and many contests were decided because winners faced no Republican opponent.
Chris Coons received about 81% of the Democratic Senate primary vote.
Michael Katz won roughly 75.6% of the Republican Senate primary vote.
Approximately 128,600 voters participated, yielding about a 22% turnout.

Right

Outsider Republican Surge

Delaware held its statewide primary elections on Sept. 15, 2026, choosing party nominees for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, attorney general, state treasurer and other offices.
Republican nominees are political outsiders and former Democrats who aim to end decades of Democratic control in the state.
Mike Katz, former Democratic state senator and pediatric anesthesiologist, won the Republican Senate nomination.
Joseph Arminio won the Republican House nomination, defeating Rev. Earl Cooper and John Whalen.

Blindspot

Approximately 128,600 voters participated in Delaware’s September 15, 2026 primary, yielding a turnout of about 22 %.
Within this story's sources, this angle appears mainly in Center-leaning coverage and receives less attention in Right-leaning coverage.

History

Historical Context

The 1992 Delaware gubernatorial election saw Democrat Tom Carper defeat Republican B. Dale with 64% of the vote, cementing Democratic control. Carper’s victory, recorded by the Delaware Election Commission, occurred amid a 55% voter turnout overall, while Dale garnered only 35%. In the September 15, 2026 primary, Democratic incumbent Chris Coons captured 81% of the Senate vote, and Republican Michael Katz faced minimal opposition despite lacking a Democratic challenger. Such entrenched partisan margins risk suppressing competition, prompting the Delaware Secretary of State to consider reforms after the 22% turnout recorded.

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No Republican Opposition

Delaware held primary elections on Sept. 15, 2026, choosing party nominees for U.S. Senate, U.S. House, attorney general, state treasurer and other offices.
Incumbents Coons, Jennings and McBride secured nominations, and many contests were decided because winners faced no Republican opponent.
Chris Coons received about 81% of the Democratic Senate primary vote.
Michael Katz won roughly 75.6% of the Republican Senate primary vote.
Approximately 128,600 voters participated, yielding about a 22% turnout.

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