Delaware closed the 2026 primary election cycle with competitive nominating contests on September 15, featuring a Republican U.S. Senate matchup between Dr. Mike Katz and John Shulli. The primary results cap a turbulent national primary season defined by progressive Democratic insurgencies and Donald Trump’s continued dominance in GOP races.
Delaware U.S. Senate Primary Results and General Election Matchup
Dr. Mike Katz secured the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Democratic incumbent Sen. Chris Coons, according to election reporting. Katz defeated primary opponent John Shulli in the September 15 nominating contest.
The Associated Press called the primary race at 8:19 p.m., declaring Katz the winner as he captured 74% of the vote with roughly 22% of ballots counted, according to the outlet. Katz now advances to face Coons in the November 3 general election.
A former state senator, Katz is a pediatric critical care anesthesiologist and commercial real estate business owner. His political affiliation in Delaware has shifted over the years, with records showing he has identified as a Democrat, an independent, and a Republican.
Should Katz pull off an upset in the general election, he would become the first Republican elected to the seat in a quarter-century. The last Republican to represent Delaware in the U.S. Senate was the late Sen. William Roth, who served from 1971 to 2001.
Progressive Insurgencies Shape the National Democratic Primary Landscape
Delaware’s closing contests punctuated a national primary season that fundamentally altered the ideological dynamics of the Democratic Party. Left-wing candidates and contenders backed by the Democratic Socialists of America mounted historic challenges against establishment figures, winning key races and ousting long-serving incumbents.
The progressive wave gained momentum in June following the previous year’s mayoral victory by socialist New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani. In June primaries, left-wing challengers unseated entrenched members of Congress, including DSA member Melat Kiros defeating 15-term incumbent Democratic Rep. Diana DeGette in Colorado, and Darializa Avila Chevalier ousting five-term Democratic Rep. Adriano Espaillat in New York.
Those victories expanded into statewide Senate primaries in August, yielding major wins for Abdul El-Sayed in Michigan, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan in Minnesota, and state Rep. Angie Nixon in Florida. Many of these winning candidates campaigned on platforms calling for single-payer healthcare, cutting military aid to Israel, and abolishing ICE.
“It is undeniable that progressives have built a coalition and have a message that can serve to buoy a candidate when they are an acceptable alternative to the status quo.”
Joe Caiazzo, longtime Democratic strategist, via Fox News
Despite significant gains, the left also faced setbacks, most notably when frontrunner Francesca Hong lost the Democratic gubernatorial primary in battleground Wisconsin in August. Strategists note that the durability of the progressive movement depends on candidate quality and broad accessibility.
“What’s incumbent upon progressives if they want to continue to be successful is to put forward candidates who are serious, credible and are accessible to the public.”
Joe Caiazzo, longtime Democratic strategist, via Fox News
Donald Trump’s Influence and GOP Gubernatorial Setbacks
On the Republican side, Donald Trump maintained his status as the party’s dominant kingmaker, though his endorsement record faced some notable exceptions during the gubernatorial primaries.
Trump touted his political influence on social media, asserting that My Endorsements are stronger than ever….There has never been anything close!
Data from a Trump Primary Endorsement Tracker supported that claim in federal contests, showing the former president batting a thousand in Senate GOP primaries and logging a near-perfect record in House nominating showdowns.
Yet, gubernatorial contests proved less airtight for the MAGA wing.
- Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones
- South Carolina Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette
- Rep. Randy Feenstra of Iowa
- Wyoming Superintendent of Public Instruction Megan Degenfelder
- Minnesota businessman and My Pillow founder Mike Lindell
Veteran GOP strategist Ryan Williams noted that while a presidential endorsement provides a substantial primary boost, it does not guarantee victory.
“The Republican Party is Trump’s party, and there’s no question that an endorsement from the president provides a tremendous boost in a Republican primary. But it doesn’t necessarily mean the candidate’s going to win.”
Ryan Williams, veteran GOP strategist, via Fox News
voters still weigh a variety of factors before casting their ballots, meaning the final outcome remains uncertain despite the influence of a high-profile endorsement.
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