Federal race · November 3, 2026

U.S. Senate

One of Delaware's two U.S. senators, who vote on federal legislation, confirm presidential nominees and ratify treaties.

6-year term. Regular election for the full term beginning January 2027. Incumbent Democrat Chris Coons first won the seat in a 2010 special election. Both candidates won their party primaries on September 15, 2026. The Republican candidate is listed on the official candidate list as Michael "Dr. Mike" Katz.

The candidates

Listed alphabetically by last name.

  • Chris Coons

    U.S. Senator from Delaware (since 2010)
    DemocraticIncumbent

    Chris Coons is a Democrat who has represented Delaware in the U.S. Senate since winning a 2010 special election, after a decade in New Castle County government. He is seeking another full term on a campaign organized around opportunity, security and justice, with a focus on wages, housing, health care and his record on the Trump administration.

  • Michael Katz

    Anesthesiologist and commercial real estate business owner; former Delaware state senator
    Republican

    Michael "Dr. Mike" Katz is a physician and business owner who served one term in the Delaware State Senate as a Democrat from 2009 to 2013 and ran for the U.S. Senate as an Independent in 2024. He won the 2026 Republican primary and says his top priorities are lowering the cost of living, changing the health care system and federal fiscal responsibility.

Compare on the issues

Summaries of each candidate's stated positions. See each profile for sources and details.

Candidate positions by issue for U.S. Senate
IssueChris Coons
Democratic
Michael Katz
Republican
Economy & Jobs

Supports education and workforce training and investment in American manufacturing and innovation; cites a record of protecting organized labor's rights and pensions.

Supports a "One In, Multiple Out" rule for federal regulations, targeted incentives and "strategic tariffs" for energy, technology and pharmaceuticals, and reducing federal spending.

Energy & Environment

Calls climate change a "generational threat" and supports new clean energy technologies to reduce and eventually replace reliance on fossil fuels.

Supports a diversified energy strategy that includes nuclear power; says federal offshore wind and grid decisions should not raise costs for families.

Guns

As co-chair of the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, supports more resources for local police and stricter gun violence prevention measures.

Opposes state and federal red-flag laws, mandatory waiting periods, and universal background checks that would cover private family transfers.

Health Care

Says everyone should have access to quality, affordable health care; opposes cuts to the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid.

Supports lowering health care and prescription drug costs, more price transparency, and more funding for rural care in Kent and Sussex counties.

Immigration

Supports comprehensive immigration reform and enforcing existing laws; introduced legislation to create an oversight body for ICE and bar agents from sensitive locations such as schools and hospitals.

Supports completing the southern border wall, reinstating the "Remain in Mexico" policy, designating cartels as foreign terrorist organizations, and withholding federal funds from sanctuary jurisdictions.

Abortion

Says he defends constitutional rights, including access to reproductive health care.

No public position found yet
Elections & DemocracyNo public position found yet

Supports the SAVE Act's proof-of-citizenship requirement for voter registration, nationwide photo ID, and limiting mail-in voting to specific exceptions.

Foreign Policy

Says he has worked across the aisle on tools to compete with China and is committed to standing with Ukraine; WHYY reports he has supported Israel in its war in Gaza.

No public position found yet
Housing

Supports reforming rental assistance, expanding homeowner incentives and streamlining federal housing programs; opposes tariffs he says raise building costs.

No public position found yet
TaxesNo public position found yet

Says he would vote to make tax cuts he calls "pro-growth" permanent; opposes efforts to raise taxes on working families.

VeteransNo public position found yet

Supports the Major Richard Star Act to end the offset between military retirement pay and VA disability compensation, and a new VA facility in southern Delaware.

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