Delaware voters will cast ballots on Tuesday in primary elections for the U.S. Senate, U.S. House, and various local offices. These contests represent the final primaries of the 2026 midterm election cycle. Delaware law requires these elections to be held on the second Tuesday after the first Monday in September during general election years, which placed the 2026 primary in the third week of the month.
Incumbent Sen. Chris Coons (D-DE) is seeking the Democratic nomination. Coons originally entered the Senate following a 2010 election to fill the seat vacated by then-Vice President Joe Biden. In the current race, Coons faces three primary challengers, including former business executive Eric Hansen, who is listed on the ballot as "E. No-Trump Hansen."
Financial disclosures show Coons has raised more than $6.8 million for his reelection campaign. His closest primary challenger has reported $150,000 in fundraising, while Hansen and a third candidate have not reported any funds raised. On the Republican side, two candidates are competing for the nomination. A Republican has not won a U.S. Senate seat in Delaware since 1966.
In the state's single U.S. House district, incumbent Rep. Sarah McBride (D-DE) is running for reelection without a primary challenger. Democrats have maintained control of this House seat since 2010. Three Republicans are vying for their party's nomination to face McBride in the general election, including John Whalen III and Earl Cooper, the latter of whom previously ran as a Democrat.
A person living in Delaware will notice the finalization of their November ballot options following Tuesday’s results. Specifically, Republican voters will choose between three candidates for the U.S. House and two for the U.S. Senate. While the primary determines candidates, the general election will decide representation for the state's population in a Congress currently addressing internal policy disputes, such as the restroom usage rules implemented by House Speaker Mike Johnson.
The primary results will set the stage for the general election in a state where Democrats have held the lone House seat since 2010 and a Republican has not won a Senate seat since 1966. Following the certification of Tuesday's votes, candidates will enter the final two-month campaign period leading to the November midterm elections. The U.S. Senate is also scheduled to return for its final legislative session before the midterms, which will determine the future partisan control of both chambers of Congress.