Delaware Sen. Chris Coons faces primary challenger named “E. No-Trump Hansen” and more races to watch today
Delaware Sen Chris Coons Faces a Primary Challenge
Wertynews.com – In Delaware’s final primary contests of the 2026 midterm cycle, Delaware Sen Chris Coons faces three Democratic challengers as voters choose nominees for the U.S. Senate, the state’s lone U.S. House district and local offices.
Delaware law schedules state and local primaries for the second Tuesday after the first Monday in September during general-election years. The vote falls in the third week of September, closing the primary season before November’s general election.
Coons Seeks Another Senate Term
Delaware Sen Chris Coons faces a primary as he seeks another term in the seat he first won in 2010, after Joe Biden resigned from the Senate to become vice president. Coons is widely expected to win the Democratic nomination.
Among his Democratic opponents is former business executive Eric Hansen, listed on the ballot as “E. No-Trump Hansen.” Coons has raised more than $6.8 million for his reelection effort. His closest primary opponent has reported about $150,000, while Hansen and another challenger have not disclosed fundraising.
Two Republicans are competing for their party’s Senate nomination. The eventual GOP nominee will face a difficult statewide environment: Delaware has not elected a Republican to the U.S. Senate since J. Caleb Boggs won in 1966.
Boggs was defeated six years later by Biden, who was 29 when he won the Senate seat. Biden became one of the youngest people elected to the chamber before later serving as president.
McBride Has No Democratic Primary Opponent
Rep. Sarah McBride, Delaware’s only member of the U.S. House, is running for reelection without a Democratic primary challenger. Democrats have held the state’s at-large House seat since 2010.
McBride became the first transgender person elected to Congress. During her first term, she has also faced frequent criticism from Republican lawmakers on Capitol Hill.
Before McBride took office following the November 2024 election, House Speaker Mike Johnson announced a rule requiring members to use restrooms corresponding with their biological sex. Republican Rep. Nancy Mace, who introduced the restriction, said it was aimed at McBride.
“Distract from the real issues facing this country,”
McBride said at the time when describing the rule’s purpose. She said she would comply with it.
“Folks who are coming after me” in Congress “were trying to bait me into a fight to get attention, and I refused to be used as a political pawn.”
McBride made those comments to The New York Times last year. On the Republican side, three candidates are seeking the chance to face her in November, including Earl Cooper and John Whalen III. Cooper previously ran against McBride in the 2024 Democratic primary before changing parties, while Whalen was her Republican opponent in the 2024 general election.
What Delaware’s Primary Will Decide
Delaware Sen Chris Coons faces an intraparty vote that will determine the Democratic nominee, while Republicans select the candidate who will oppose that nominee in November. The contest also gives campaigns an indication of voter participation and enthusiasm before the general election.
In the House race, McBride’s uncontested Democratic primary places attention on the Republican nomination. Once the primary results are set, Senate and House candidates will turn fully toward their general-election campaigns.
Delaware Primary FAQ
When do Delaware voters cast primary ballots? Delaware holds its state and local primaries on the second Tuesday after the first Monday in September during general-election years.
What offices are on the ballot? Voters are selecting party nominees for the U.S. Senate, Delaware’s at-large U.S. House seat and several local offices.
Why does the Senate primary matter? The primary determines which Democratic and Republican candidates will appear on Delaware’s November general-election ballot.
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