Michael Katz

According to his Ballotpedia survey response, Mike Katz grew up in a working-class family and was the first man in his family to attend college.[3] He earned a medical degree and an MBA in international business from Georgetown University.[4][5] His campaign website says he came to Delaware in 1996 when he was recruited from Boston Children's Hospital to A.I. duPont Hospital for Children, and that he has practiced as a pediatric critical care anesthesiologist in the state for more than 20 years.[3][4] He is also a business owner; WHYY reports that he owns a commercial real estate company, and his campaign website says he has held leadership roles with the Medical Society of Delaware and the American Medical Association.[4][5]

Katz was elected as a Democrat to Delaware State Senate District 4, north of Wilmington and including Greenville, Centreville and Hockessin, and served from 2009 to 2013.[4][5] In the State Senate he worked on legislation about lobbying reform, term limits and health care policy, and his campaign website also cites the creation of the Delaware Health Information Network.[4][5] In 2024 he ran for U.S. Senate as an Independent for the seat vacated by Tom Carper, losing to Lisa Blunt Rochester.[4][5] Katz won the September 15, 2026, Republican primary over John Shulli. He lives in Delaware with his wife, Trish, and, according to his campaign materials, they have three adult children.[2][3][4] During the campaign, he said he was running on lowering the cost of living, health care reform, term limits and fiscal accountability.[2][3][4][5] He received 36.4% of the vote to Chris Coons's 63.6%, according to unofficial results reported by NBC News.[1]