2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
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2 candidates · ballot order · Chris Coons currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
'We need a strong floor and no ceiling, so every Delawarean has the opportunity to build a better future,' including raising wages.
Protecting Delawareans 'from threats abroad and at home.'
Rooting out corruption in Washington.
Opposing the policies of the Trump administration; he cosponsored a war powers resolution on Iran.
A campaign theme of 'Make Washington More Like Delaware.'
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
U.S. Senator since November 2010; vice chair of the Senate Ethics Committee and ranking Democrat on the Defense Appropriations subcommittee.
Has never won less than 55% of the vote in a Senate election; the best Republican showing against him has been 42%.
Won the 15 September 2026 Democratic primary with 78.0% of the vote.
Held about $4.8 million in campaign cash as of 26 August 2026.
Endorsed by Gov. Matt Meyer, Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, Rep. Sarah McBride, the Delaware State AFL-CIO, the Delaware Building Trades, the Delaware State Education Association, Planned Parenthood Action Fund and the League of Conservation Voters, among others.
Arguments in favor
His priorities for a new term are 'making sure Delawareans have opportunity, security and justice through raising wages, protecting residents from threats abroad and at home and rooting out corruption in Washington, D.C.'
— Chris Coons, to WHYY
Delaware's governor, its other senator and its congresswoman, along with the state AFL-CIO, building trades and teachers' union, back him for re-election.
— Endorsements listed by the Coons campaign
Arguments against
Over fifteen years he has been 'reliably present in Washington, reliably voting with his party, reliably collecting endorsements, while Delaware's real problems go unaddressed.'
— Dr. Mike Katz's campaign
He declined WDEL's offer of a broadcast debate; after nearly 16 years voters deserve 'a job-performance review' with both candidates 'on the same stage, answering the same difficult questions.'
— Dr. Mike Katz, as reported by Delaware LIVE
What we couldn’t verify
Whether any televised debate will be held; the Katz campaign says the University of Delaware's traditional debates will not take place this year, and the Coons campaign had not responded publicly when this was written.
His primary challengers ran on positions to his left, including on U.S. policy toward Israel and Gaza, but their direct criticisms of him were not found in published reporting.
'Put Delaware families ahead of party politics and special interests. Every vote in Washington should answer one question: How does this help Delaware?'
Lowering health care and prescription drug costs, a focus on prevention, and more physicians in Kent and Sussex counties.
Halting 'wasteful federal spending,' making the pro-growth tax cuts permanent and cutting regulation on small business.
An advanced VA facility in southern Delaware within his first 90 days.
Completing the southern border wall, passing the SAVE Act's proof-of-citizenship requirement and a national voter ID standard.
Opposing red flag laws and federal firearm registries; defining eligibility for women's sports by biological sex.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Delaware state senator for the 4th District, 2009–2013, as a Democrat; lost re-election in 2012.
Anesthesiologist trained at Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School; MD and MBA from Georgetown.
Briefly sought the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination.
Chair of the Independent Party of Delaware and its 2024 U.S. Senate nominee, receiving about 4% of the vote.
Won the 15 September 2026 Republican primary with 77.3%, endorsed by the Delaware Republican Party and the Independent Party of Delaware.
Held less than $100,000 in campaign cash as of late August 2026.
Arguments in favor
'Few people seeking public office bring this combination of medical, health care, executive, business and legislative experience.' He has built 'a coalition of Republicans, independents, and common sense Democrats.'
— Dr. Mike Katz, to WHYY and Delaware Public Media
When the Republican House nominee repeatedly misgendered Rep. Sarah McBride at a September forum, he called for him to leave the race: 'disagreement is not an excuse for disrespect.'
— Dr. Mike Katz, in a statement reported by Spotlight Delaware
Arguments against
'Katz is a Democrat, and a coward, and a traitor to the Republican Party of Delaware. He should either withdraw from the race or change his affiliation to Democrat.'
— John Shulli, his Republican primary opponent, in a video reported by Spotlight Delaware
He has moved from the Democratic Party to the Independent Party to the Republican Party in a few years, joining the GOP only recently before seeking its nomination.
— John Shulli, during the Republican primary, as reported by Spotlight Delaware
What we couldn’t verify
No published criticism of him by the Coons campaign or the Delaware Democratic Party was found.
How his healthcare platform would be paid for has not been detailed.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
Delaware held its primary on 15 September 2026, the last in the country. Sen. Chris Coons, in office since 2010, won the Democratic nomination with 78.0% of the vote over Jeff Appelhans (10.6%), Mary Louve (7.5%) and Eric 'No-Trump' Hansen (3.9%). Dr. Michael 'Mike' Katz, a former Democratic state senator who ran for Delaware's other Senate seat in 2024 as the Independent Party of Delaware's nominee, won the Republican nomination with 77.3% over John Shulli.
Two names are on the November ballot, per the Delaware Department of Elections' general election candidate list (updated 6 October 2026): Coons and Katz. Dexter Bland, an independent who was reported earlier in the year to have filed paperwork, does not appear on the state's list. The order below follows the Department of Elections' list.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Delaware ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Delaware Department of Elections.