Chris Coons Wins Delaware Senate Primary, Defeating Challenger E. No-Trump Hansen
Incumbent Democrat secures nomination for a third term, fending off an opponent who legally changed his name to protest former President Trump.
Senator Chris Coons, D-Del., secured the Democratic nomination for his Senate seat on Tuesday, winning his party's primary election. He will now face Republican challengers Mike Katz or John Shulli in November as he seeks a third term.
Coons defeated a small field of primary contenders, including E. No-Trump Hansen. Hansen, formerly known as Eric Hansen, legally changed his name to reflect his opposition to former President Donald Trump. Hansen's platform focused on curbing presidential power and restoring checks and balances within the government.
Hansen stated that his name change was not a gimmick but a commitment to positive change. He explained his decision to run by referencing Trump's past statements about pursuing critics, asserting his willingness to face potential repercussions for the sake of addressing issues affecting Delawareans.
This election cycle marks Hansen's second run for the Senate in Delaware. In 2024, he ran as a Republican and secured the party's nomination but ultimately lost to Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester, D-Del. A statement of candidacy filed with the Federal Election Commission shows Hansen officially began campaigning under his new name in July.
Coons, a Democratic stalwart, has held his Senate seat since 2014. He previously entered Congress to fill the vacancy left by Joe Biden, who was selected as Barack Obama's running mate. Delaware has been a reliably Democratic state in Senate elections since 1966, when Republican J. Caleb Boggs lost his bid for re-election to a young Joe Biden.