‘People before party’ | Delaware’s Independent U.S. Senate candidate Dr. Mike Katz

DOVER, Del. – A former Democratic State Senator in Delaware has changed his party affiliation and is now running as an Independent for U.S. Senate.

Dr. Mike Katz tells WMDT News that he’s ready to tackle the challenges that face America on day one. Our Rob Petree sat down to discuss why Dr. Katz chose to run Independently and what his plans are if he’s elected.

“Most Delawareans that I speak with are just really tired of the hate,” Dr. Katz stressed. “The ongoing hate in the country, and the two parties, I believe, are the cause of that dysfunction and that hate.”

With the country historically divided, many Democrats and Republicans are unable to find common ground in today’s political climate. Dr. Katz says the need to see across party lines to unify the people should be the top priority of lawmakers on Capitol Hill, but it’s not.

“Their core value is to win, they’re focused on tribal politics, the core-value of winning,” Dr. Katz said of the two party rule. “Really, like most Americans, I really feel that, I’m really concerned about the direction of country, the division, the divisiveness and the dysfunction in Congress.”

The former state lawmaker is looking to fill the seat currently held by Delaware’s Senior U.S. Senator Tom Carper who’s retiring. He says, if elected, he would not caucus with either party.

“I am a committed Independent, I will remain Independent,” Dr. Katz said emphatically. “My sole commitment is to the citizens. If and when we are elected as Delaware’s next United States Senator, I’ll remain as an independent, and I will not caucus exclusively with either party. In fact, we’ll be establishing an independent caucus which we will invite Republicans and Democrats to join.”

Dr. Katz dedicated thousands of hours in the operating room, overseeing the care of tens of thousands of patients during his medical career as an anesthesiologist. It’s through that experience that he tells us he’s gained a unique perspective into the country’s health care woes that will aide him in his fight to fix what he calls a broken system.

“It’s very expensive,” Dr. Katz explained. “We’re very good at treating but we need to change our health system to become a well-health system focusing on population and community health.”

If he’s sent to Capitol Hill as Delaware’s next U.S. Senator, Dr. Katz says he will tackle a host of issues that he says are all integrated.

“The economy, jobs, cost of living, health care, and education are all integrated,” Dr. Katz said. “And that’s one of the problems that legislators typically face, is that they’re typically down-stream, reactionary.”

That’s something Dr. Katz says he will not be if elected. He had the following message for voters: “I’m really the only candidate that has the skill sets, the qualifications, and the experience to address the difficult challenges that our country faces.”

Dr. Katz has refused to accept any campaign contributions, telling WMDT News that his campaign is citizen driven and grassroots based.

“We’re working to eradicate corruption and the influence of money from government,” Dr. Katz emphasized. “Being independent and focusing solely on the needs of the citizens is I believe the right thing to do.”

Dr. Katz is running against Democratic Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester and Republican Eric Hansen.

The general election will take place Tuesday, November 5, 2024⁩.