2020 United States Senate election in Delaware
November 3, 2020
 
Nominee Chris Coons Lauren Witzke
Party Democratic Republican
Popular vote 291,804 186,054
Percentage 59.44% 37.90%
Coons:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%      80–90%      >90%
Witzke:      40–50%      50–60%      60–70%      70–80%
     No data
U.S. senator before election

Chris Coons
Democratic

 Elected U.S. Senator

Chris Coons
Democratic

The 2020 United States Senate election in Delaware was held on November 3, 2020, to elect a member of the United States Senate to represent the State of Delaware, concurrently with the 2020 U.S. presidential election, as well as other elections to the United States Senate, elections to the United States House of Representatives, and various state and local elections.

Incumbent Democratic senator Chris Coons ran for reelection to a second full term and won against Republican challenger Lauren Witzke with 59.4% of the vote. He outperformed Democratic presidential nominee and former Delaware Senator Joe Biden (whose seat Coons was elected to in a 2010 special election) by 0.7 percentage points, compared to the concurrent presidential election.[1]

Democratic primary

Candidates

Nominee

Eliminated in primary

  • Jessica Scarane, technology executive[5][6]

Withdrawn

Declined

Endorsements

Chris Coons
U.S. vice presidents
State executives
State legislators
Individuals
Organizations
Jessica Scarane
State legislators
Organizations
Political Parties

Polling

Hypothetical head-to-head polling
with Lisa Blunt Rochester and Chris Coons
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[lower-alpha 1]		 Margin
of error		 Lisa
Blunt Rochester		 Chris
Coons		 Undecided
Data for Progress November 15–25, 2019 528 (LV) ± 6.1% 31% 35% 34%
with Chris Coons and more liberal female Democrat
Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[lower-alpha 1]		 Margin
of error		 Chris
Coons		 More liberal
female Democrat		 Undecided
Data for Progress November 15–25, 2019 528 (LV) ± 6.1% 24%[lower-alpha 2] 45% 31%
32%[lower-alpha 3] 36% 32%
32%[lower-alpha 4] 36% 33%

Results

Results by county:
  Coons—70–80%
  Coons—60–70%
Democratic primary results[46]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Chris Coons (incumbent) 87,332 72.85%
Democratic Jessica Scarane 32,547 27.15%
Total votes 119,879 100.00%

Republican primary

Candidates

Nominee

Eliminated in primary

Declined

Endorsements

James DeMartino
Organizations
  • Delaware Colonial Region Republicans[52]
Political Parties
Lauren Witzke
U.S. representatives
Individuals

Results

Results by county:
  Witzke—60–70%
  Witzke—50–60%
Republican primary results[46]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Lauren Witzke 30,702 56.89%
Republican James DeMartino 23,266 43.11%
Total votes 53,968 100.00%

Other candidates

Libertarian Party

Nominee

  • Nadine Frost, Libertarian candidate for U.S. Senate in 2018[57]

Independent Party of Delaware

Nominee

  • Mark Turley, small business owner[58]

General election

Prior to the election, Christopher Coons' re-election was considered to be a near certainty regardless of the Republican challenger. The choice of Lauren Witzke, a controversial extremist and believer of QANON, as the nominee only cemented this prediction. Networks declared Coons the winner as soon as voting ended based on Exit Polling alone. Coons also outperformed Biden (who also once held this Senate seat) in terms of percentage but underperformed in terms of raw vote, likely due to the lack of third-party Senate candidates.

Predictions

Source Ranking As of
The Cook Political Report[59] Safe D October 29, 2020
Inside Elections[60] Safe D October 28, 2020
Sabato's Crystal Ball[61] Safe D November 2, 2020
Daily Kos[62] Safe D October 30, 2020
Politico[63] Safe D November 2, 2020
RCP[64] Safe D October 23, 2020
DDHQ[65] Safe D November 3, 2020
538[66] Safe D November 2, 2020
Economist[67] Safe D November 2, 2020

Endorsements

Chris Coons (D)
U.S. vice presidents
State Executives
State legislators
Individuals
Labor unions
Organizations
Lauren Witzke (R)
Members of U.S. Congress
  • Paul Gosar, Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Arizona (2011-present)[54]
Individuals
  • Nick Fuentes, far-right political commentator, podcaster and white nationalist[71]

Polling

Poll source Date(s)
administered		 Sample
size[lower-alpha 1]		 Margin
of error		 Chris
Coons (D)		 Lauren
Witzke (R)		 Other/
Undecided
University of Delaware September 21–27, 2020 847 (LV) – 57% 27% 17%[lower-alpha 5]

Results

United States Senate election in Delaware, 2020[72]
Party Candidate Votes % ±%
Democratic Chris Coons (incumbent) 291,804 59.44% +3.61%
Republican Lauren Witzke 186,054 37.90% -4.33%
Independent Mark Turley 7,833 1.59% N/A
Libertarian Nadine Frost 5,244 1.07% N/A
Total votes 490,935 100.0%
Democratic hold
By county
County Chris Coons
Democratic		 Lauren Witzke
Republican		 Mark Turley
IPoD		 Nadine Frost
Libertarian		 Margin Total
votes
# % # % # % # % # %
Kent 43,893 51.65 38,571 45.39 1,553 1.83 958 1.13 5,322 6.26 84,975
New Castle 191,774 68.62 80,081 28.65 4,277 1.53 3,330 1.19 111,693 39.97 279,462
Sussex 56,137 44.38 67,402 53.28 2,003 1.58 956 0.76 -11,265 -8.90 126,498
Totals 291,804 59.44 186,054 37.90 7,833 1.60 5,244 1.07 105,750 21.54 490,935
Counties that flipped from Republican to Democratic[73]

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 Key:
    A – all adults
    RV – registered voters
    LV – likely voters
    V – unclear
  2. ↑ After being presented with a liberal set of arguments regarding Chris Coons
  3. ↑ After being presented with a conservative set of arguments regarding Chris Coons
  4. ↑ Voting intention without being presented with any arguments regarding Chris Coons
  5. ↑ "None/other/undecided" with 11%; Turley (DI) with 4%; Frost (L) with 2%

References

  1. ↑ Rakich, Nathaniel (December 2, 2020). "There Wasn't That Much Split-Ticket Voting In 2020". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved December 2, 2020.
  2. ↑ Schor, Elana; Everett, Burgess (May 8, 2018). "Meet the GOP's favorite Democrat". Politico.
  3. ↑ "Chris Coons, U.S. Senator for Delaware". Chris Coons.
  4. ↑ "COONS, CHRISTOPHER A. – Candidate overview". FEC.gov.
  5. ↑ Dayen, David (November 17, 2019). "Centrist Senator Chris Coons Faces Primary Challenge in Delaware". The American Prospect.
  6. ↑ "Jessica Scarane | Democrat for U.S. Senate". Jessica Scarane | Democrat for U.S. Senate.
  7. ↑ Rob Petree (November 8, 2018). "Scott Walker thanks Sussex County, announces 2020 run against Coons". Archived from the original on October 5, 2019. Retrieved November 8, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Fmr. House Candidate Scott Walker suspends longshot Democratic presidential campaign, says he's writing book". Delaware 105.9 FM. June 13, 2019. Archived from the original on August 7, 2019. Retrieved August 7, 2019.
  9. ↑ "Austin Auen on Facebook". Facebook. Retrieved September 8, 2019.
  10. ↑ "Scott Walker, Democrat again, to wield his homemade signs against Chris Coons for Senate". Delaware Online. October 1, 2019. Retrieved October 1, 2019.
  11. ↑ "State of Delaware - Department of Elections · Office of the State Election Commissioner". elections.delaware.gov.
  12. ↑ "Data for Progress" (PDF).
  13. ↑ "Team Kerri on Facebook". www.facebook.com.
  14. ↑ Schmidt, Sophia (December 7, 2018). "Kerri Harris reflects on her U.S. Senate run and its impact". delawarepublic.org.
  15. 1 2 Levine, Marianne (June 23, 2020). "The Biden whisperer in the Senate". POLITICO.
  16. 1 2 Markell, Jack Markell and Carla. "Jack and Carla Markell: We must re-elect Chris Coons to represent Delaware". The News Journal.
  17. 1 2 Delaware, HOY en (August 18, 2020). "Retired State Sen. Margaret Rose Henry endorses US Sen. Chris Coons".
  18. 1 2 "Sen. Chris Coons is a man of action". Cape Gazette.
  19. 1 2 Delaware, HOY en (September 3, 2020). "Sen. Chris Coons endorsement".
  20. 1 2 "Lit Drop for Chris Coons & Sarah McBride! · Chris Coons for Delaware". Mobilize.
  21. 1 2 "Endorsed Candidates — 314actionfund". 314 Action. Archived from the original on April 4, 2020. Retrieved December 28, 2019.
  22. 1 2 3 4 "ABA and the Delaware Bankers Association Join to Release New Ads Thanking Sen. Chris Coons". www.aba.com. Archived from the original on September 13, 2020. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  23. 1 2 "Brady Endorses Delaware Sen. Chris Coons for Re-Election". Brady Campaign. February 20, 2020.
  24. 1 2 "Latest predictions on control of the Senate next year". Council for a Livable World. October 22, 2020. Archived from the original on September 29, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  25. 1 2 3 4 "Delaware AFL-CIO".
  26. 1 2 "Delaware Building and Construction Trades Council".
  27. 1 2 "Democratic Majority for Israel". DMFI PAC.
  28. 1 2 Muller, Tiffany (January 21, 2020). "End Citizens United Endorses 39 Candidates 10 Years After Citizens United Decision". End Citizens United.
  29. 1 2 "Everytown for Gun Safety Action Fund Endorses Senator Chris Coons for U.S. Senate". Everytown. June 30, 2020.
  30. 1 2 "Giffords Endorses Slate of Senators Running to Bring a Gun Safety Majority to the US Senate". Giffords. May 8, 2020.
  31. 1 2 Society, Humane. "2020 Endorsements". Humane Society Legislative Fund.
  32. 1 2 "Human Rights Campaign Announces Pro-Equality Leaders for U.S. Senate". HRC. August 14, 2020.
  33. 1 2 "2020 Endorsements". Archived from the original on July 26, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  34. 1 2 "Meet the 2020 Candidates". Joint Action Committee for Political Affairs.
  35. 1 2 Connnon, Courtnee (May 27, 2020). "LCV Action Fund Endorses Senator Chris Coons for Re-Election". League of Conservation Voters.
  36. 1 2 "Everytown For Gun Safety Action Fund Announces New U.S. House and Senate Endorsements". Moms Demand Action. June 30, 2020.
  37. 1 2 "NARAL Pro-Choice America Endorses Senator Chris Coons (D-DE) and Representative Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE)". NARAL Pro-Choice America. September 3, 2020.
  38. 1 2 "Six Environmental Champions Win NRDC Action Fund Endorsements". nrdcactionfund.org. May 18, 2020.
  39. 1 2 "2020 Endorsements". plannedparenthoodaction.org. Archived from the original on April 12, 2020. Retrieved January 25, 2020.
  40. 1 2 "Endorsements – Pro-Israel America". proisraelamerica.org. Archived from the original on July 22, 2020. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  41. 1 2 "Sierra Club #ClimateVoter Guide: Endorsements". Sierra Club.
  42. ↑ Kowalko, John. "For Delaware, Jess Scarane is the right choice for U.S. senator". The News Journal.
  43. 1 2 "Jess Scarane Wants To "Create a Government That Puts People Over Profit"". Jacobin Magazine.
  44. ↑ "Jessica Scarane for U.S. Senate 2020 - Brand New Congress". Brand New Congress. Archived from the original on September 17, 2020. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  45. ↑ "Our 2020 Endorsements - Working Families". workingfamilies.org/.
  46. 1 2 "2020 State Primary Election Report". Delaware.gov. Retrieved September 17, 2020.
  47. ↑ "Political newcomer with QAnon ties, Lauren Witzke, wins GOP U.S. Senate primary in Delaware". CBS News. September 16, 2020.
  48. ↑ "Republican nominee for US Senate in Delaware has repeatedly promoted QAnon conspiracy theory, once called self 'flat earther'". Chicago Tribune. September 17, 2020.
  49. ↑ Sommer, Will (September 16, 2020). "New QAnon-Allied GOP Senate Candidate Also Pushed Anti-Semitism, Flat Earthism, and 9/11 Conspiracies". The Daily Beast.
  50. ↑ Shannon, Josh (July 23, 2020). "Candidate slate set for Delaware's fall election". Newark Post Alone. Retrieved August 29, 2020.
  51. ↑ "Arlett For Delaware" – via Facebook.
  52. ↑ "Delaware Colonial Region Republicans". www.facebook.com.
  53. ↑ Gamard, Sarah. "Delaware Republican Party makes endorsements amid contention between members, candidates". The News Journal.
  54. 1 2 "Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ) Endorses White Nationalist Senate Candidate with Nazi-Sympathizing Campaign Manager". Learn who's fueling antisemitism. May 11, 2020.
  55. ↑ Associated Press and Haaretz (September 18, 2020). "Delaware GOP Primary Winner Linked to QAnon, White Nationalist Nick Fuentes". Haaretz. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  56. ↑ Sommer, Will (September 16, 2020). "New QAnon-Allied GOP Senate Candidate Also Pushed Anti-Semitism, Flat Earthism, and 9/11 Conspiracies". The Daily Beast. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  57. ↑ "State of Delaware - Department of Elections · Office of the State Election Commissioner". elections.delaware.gov.
  58. ↑ Mueller, Sarah (October 23, 2019). "Independent party candidate challenges Sen. Coons in 2020". delawarepublic.org.
  59. ↑ "2020 Senate Race Ratings for October 29, 2020". The Cook Political Report. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  60. ↑ "2020 Senate Ratings". Senate Ratings. The Rothenberg Political Report. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  61. ↑ "2020 Senate race ratings". Sabato's Crystal Ball. Retrieved March 12, 2021.
  62. ↑ "2020 Senate Race Ratings". Daily Kos Elections. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  63. ↑ "2020 Election Forecast". Politico. November 19, 2019.
  64. ↑ "Battle for the Senate 2020". RCP. October 23, 2020.
  65. ↑ "2020 Senate Elections Model". Decision Desk HQ. September 2, 2020. Retrieved September 2, 2020.
  66. ↑ Silver, Nate (September 18, 2020). "Forecasting the race for the Senate". FiveThirtyEight. Retrieved September 18, 2020.
  67. ↑ "Forecasting the US elections". The Economist. November 2, 2020. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  68. ↑ "IFPTE Releases Its 2020 Congressional Endorsements". ifpte.org. International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers. July 6, 2020. Archived from the original on October 26, 2020. Retrieved September 21, 2020.
  69. ↑ "Info". www.dsea.org. Retrieved November 12, 2020.(subscription required)
  70. ↑ "U.S. Senate - Education Votes". educationvotes.nea.org.
  71. ↑ Craven, Julia (September 16, 2020). "Meet Lauren Witzke, the QAnon-Friendly Senate Nominee in Delaware". Slate Magazine.
  72. ↑ "2020 General Election Report". Delaware Department of Elections. Retrieved November 11, 2020.
  73. ↑ "Delaware U.S. Senate Election Results". The New York Times. November 3, 2020. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
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