GOP Digest — September 16, 2026 | Katz Wins Delaware Senate Nod as Trump Rallies Gastonia for Whatley

Wednesday's Republican brief: the last regular primary of the 2026 cycle is in the books, Delaware Republicans have their full November slate, and the president takes the stage in North Carolina tonight with 48 days until the Nov. 3 election.

Today's Digest

• PRIMARY — Mike Katz wins Delaware's Republican Senate primary: The Associated Press called the race at 8:19 p.m. Tuesday, and as of 8:40 p.m. Katz held 74% of the vote over John Shulli with about 22% of ballots counted. Katz, a former state senator who works as a pediatric critical care anesthesiologist and owns a commercial real estate company, advances to the Nov. 3 general election. If he wins, he would be the first Republican to hold the seat in 25 years; the last Republican to represent Delaware in the Senate was the late Sen. William Roth, who served from 1971 to 2001.
• HOUSE — Joseph Arminio takes the GOP nod for Delaware's lone House seat: The AP called the three-way contest at 8:55 p.m., with Arminio at 46%, John Whalen III at 33% and Earl Cooper at 22%. The Wilmington native ran hard on inflation and the cost of groceries, gasoline and housing, and will face Democratic Rep. Sarah McBride, who was first elected in 2024 and was unopposed in her own primary.
• CAMPAIGN TRAIL — Trump rallies tonight in Gastonia for Michael Whatley: The president is scheduled to speak around 7 p.m. at Gastonia Municipal Airport, in Whatley's hometown, according to the White House. Whatley has tied himself closely to Trump's agenda in the race for the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Thom Tillis, and has trailed Democratic nominee Roy Cooper in both fundraising and polling. Libertarian Shannon Bray and Green Party candidate Michael Dublin are also on the ballot.
• DEM WATCH — Chris Coons renominated, but drew three challengers at home: The AP called the Democratic primary for the incumbent at 8:16 p.m., and as of 8:23 p.m. Coons held 84% with about 30% of ballots counted. He turned back artificial intelligence systems builder Jeff Appelhans, business executive Eric No Trump Hansen and small business owner Mary Louve. Coons, first elected in 2010, is seeking a fourth term.
• DOWN BALLOT — Republicans draw an open seat for Delaware treasurer: Democrat Ted Lauzen won his primary — The New York Times called it at 8:59 p.m., and as of 9:10 p.m. he held 47% with about 43% of ballots counted — and will face Republican Michael Ramone, a former state representative who ran unopposed, for the seat left open by two-term Treasurer Colleen C. Davis. In the other statewide race, Republican David Graham will take on Democratic Attorney General Kathy Jennings, who is seeking a third four-year term in a state where her party holds all nine statewide elective seats.