A former businessman was attempting a risky strategy to win the Democratic Senate primary in Delaware, but it fell short of expectations.
On Tuesday, E. No-Trump Hansen ended up in fourth place in the primary. Incumbent Sen. Chris Coons, who has been in office since 2010, won decisively, achieving 78% of the expected vote.
‘The name E. (Eric) No-Trump Hansen isn’t just for show — it reflects his full dedication to promoting positive change.’
Hansen garnered around 3,400 votes, translating to only about 3.9% of the total expected. Jeff Appelhans and Mary Louve took second and third places, respectively.
Shortly after 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Coons, who celebrated his 63rd birthday last week, announced his victory on social media: “A heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers and grassroots donors who made this campaign possible, and to every Democrat brave enough to put their name forward for office in Delaware. This moment calls for unity from us all, and I’m honored to stand with you in this fight.”
Given the stature of Coons as a strong candidate seeking re-election, Hansen was considered an underdog. He changed his name from Eric Hansen to E. No-Trump Hansen as a statement of his “commitment” to his political platform.
Hansen’s campaign website emphasizes, “The name E. (Eric) No-Trump Hansen isn’t a gimmick — it’s his complete commitment to positive change.”
The timing of his name change is somewhat unclear; however, reports indicate he used it in his official candidacy statement filed on July 20, 2026.
“Trump has indicated he’s willing to go after his critics by any means necessary,” Hansen told a local radio outlet last month. “He might target me, but I’m ready to face that challenge anyway — because the alternative is just letting things deteriorate further for the people of Delaware.”
Moreover, Hansen has made significant changes in his political journey. In 2024, he attempted to secure a Senate seat in Delaware as a Republican but faced a landslide defeat against Democrat Lisa Blunt Rochester, losing 56% to 39%. At that time, records show he was running under the name “Eric Hansen.”
Requests for comments from Hansen were not answered.
