DOVER, DE — Dr. Mike Katz today announced the endorsement of Jeff Hague, President of the Delaware State Sportsmen's Association (DSSA) — Delaware's largest and longest-established organization representing law-abiding gun owners, hunters, sportsmen, and sportswomen. Hague's endorsement adds one of the state's most recognized Second Amendment voices to the growing coalition backing the Katz campaign heading into the September 15 Republican Primary.
Writing to Delawareans on DSSA letterhead, Hague described a relationship with Dr. Katz that predates the current campaign by more than a decade — a relationship built through shared work defending the constitutional freedoms of Delaware gun owners.
"I am proud to personally endorse Dr. Mike Katz for the United States Senate. I have known and worked alongside Mike for well over a decade. I know his character, his commitment, and where he stands when it comes to protecting and defending our constitutional freedoms and the rights of Delaware's law-abiding gun owners, hunters, sportsmen and sportswomen."
— Jeff Hague, President, Delaware State Sportsmen's Association
Hague emphasized that Dr. Katz is not a newcomer to the fight — he is a DSSA member who has stood with the organization consistently over the years.
"Mike is a member and longtime supporter of the Delaware State Sportsmen's Association. He has stood with us for years, not because he was running for office, but because he believes in what we have fought to protect."
— Jeff Hague
Hague framed the 2026 election as a decisive moment for Delaware's constitutional freedoms, pointing to recent legislation restricting commonly owned firearms, banning standard-capacity magazines, and imposing new permit-to-purchase requirements on law-abiding citizens.
"Dr. Mike Katz understands that the right to keep and bear arms is not a privilege granted by government. It is a fundamental constitutional right guaranteed by the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and Article I, Section 20 of the Delaware Constitution. Those rights are under attack. We have watched politicians in Dover restrict commonly owned firearms, ban standard-capacity magazines, impose permit-to-purchase requirements, and place more burdens on law-abiding citizens while failing to hold violent criminals accountable. Mike understands what is at stake, and I trust him to stand and fight when our rights are threatened."
— Jeff Hague
Hague warned that Delaware is "just one seat away from a double supermajority in the Delaware General Assembly," making a strong Republican ticket essential — and starting at the top of that ticket with the Senate race.
"The stakes have never been higher. We are just one seat away from a double supermajority in the Delaware General Assembly. We cannot afford to sit back and allow our constitutional freedoms to be stripped away. Protecting our Second Amendment rights is a never-ending fight. We must stay engaged, we must show up, and we must elect men and women who will stand with us when it matters. That starts with the Republican primary. We need a strong candidate at the top of the ticket who can bring voters to the polls across Delaware, defeat Chris Coons, and help elect pro-Second Amendment candidates up and down the ballot. Dr. Mike Katz is that candidate."
— Jeff Hague
Hague closed his letter by drawing on his own years of work defending Delaware's Second Amendment community and giving Dr. Katz his "complete trust" and "highest recommendation."
"Dr. Mike Katz has my complete trust, my highest recommendation, and my full support. On September 15th, I urge EVERY DSSA member and EVERY freedom-loving Delawarean to stand with me and vote for Dr. Mike Katz for United States Senate."
— Jeff Hague
Dr. Katz expressed his gratitude for Hague's endorsement and for the years of shared work that led up to it.
"Jeff Hague has spent decades fighting to protect the constitutional rights of Delaware sportsmen, hunters, and law-abiding gun owners. His endorsement means an enormous amount to me because it is grounded in years of working together, long before this campaign began. Delaware's Second Amendment community deserves a Senator who will show up for them, who will listen, and who will fight for their rights in Washington. That is the commitment I will carry to the United States Senate."
— Dr. Mike Katz
Jeff Hague's endorsement joins a rapidly growing coalition of Republican leaders, county committees, and grassroots organizations backing Dr. Katz's candidacy, including the Sussex County Republican Party, State Senator Dave Wilson (18th District), State Rep. and Former House Minority Leader Danny Short, America First Insight, Trump-endorsed former U.S. Attorney and former Delaware GOP Chair Julianne Murray, the Delaware Republican Party, the Independent Party of Delaware, the Northern New Castle County Republican Party, the national College Republicans of America, the Delaware College Republicans, former two-time Republican congressional nominee Lee Murphy, State Senator Dave Lawson, and other state and county Republican officials.
Dr. Katz faces the Republican primary election on September 15, 2026. Early voting begins September 2. The winner advances to the November general election against incumbent Senator Chris Coons.
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About Jeff Hague and the Delaware State Sportsmen's Association Jeff Hague is President of the Delaware State Sportsmen's Association (DSSA), Delaware's largest organization representing law-abiding gun owners, hunters, sportsmen, and sportswomen. DSSA has worked for decades to defend the constitutional rights of Delawareans under both the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution and Article I, Section 20 of the Delaware Constitution.
About Dr. Mike Katz Dr. Mike Katz is the Delaware Republican Party-endorsed candidate for the United States Senate. A pediatric critical care anesthesiologist, business executive, former Delaware State Senator, and nationally recognized healthcare leader, Dr. Katz has dedicated more than three decades to serving Delaware families through medicine, business leadership, and public service. He and his wife, Trish, have called Delaware home for thirty years, where they raised their family. His campaign is focused on restoring accountability, strengthening Delaware's economy, supporting law enforcement and veterans, defending agriculture, securing America's borders, protecting constitutional freedoms, making America healthy again, and always putting Delaware first.
Media Contact Hunter Dworsky, Executive Director (Campaign Manager) Hunter@drmikekatz.com