Sen. Chris Coons Wins Delaware Primary, Defeats 'No-Trump' Challenger
Delaware Sen. Chris Coons secured the Democratic nomination for his third term, easily defeating E. No-Trump Hansen in Tuesday's primary.
Sen. Chris Coons, D-Del., clinched the Democratic nomination for his Senate seat on Tuesday, defeating a field of primary challengers that included E. No-Trump Hansen.
Hansen, formerly known as Eric Hansen, legally changed his name to reflect his opposition to former President Donald Trump. He ran on a platform advocating for the curbing of presidential power.
"The name E. (Eric) No-Trump Hansen isn’t a gimmick — it’s his complete commitment to positive change," Hansen's campaign stated. He told WHYY that he believed Trump would "go after his critics by any means available" and that he was willing to bear that risk.
Hansen officially began campaigning under his new name in July, according to a statement of candidacy filed with the Federal Election Commission. In 2024, he had run as a Republican and secured the GOP nomination, ultimately losing to Sen. Lisa Blunt-Rochester.
Coons' victory over Hansen, Jeff Appelhans, and Mary Louve sets up a November general election contest against either Mike Katz or John Shulli. Coons, the top-ranking Democrat on the Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, first entered Congress to replace Joe Biden. He won his first full term in 2014 and has held the seat since. Delaware has not elected a Republican to the Senate since 1966, when Sen. J. Caleb Boggs lost re-election to Joe Biden.