DE State Reps. Collins, Postles Not Seeking Reelection in 2026
DELAWARE – State Representatives Rich Collins (R-District 41) and Charles Postles (R-District 33) have announced that they will not be seeking reelection next fall.
Both gentleman are members of the Republican Party, and have cited personal reasons for not seeking another term.
State Representative Rich Collins
Collins has represented the 41st Representative District, located in south-central Sussex County, since 2014. It includes the municipalities of Millsboro, Dagsboro, Frankford, and Selbyville, as well as the unincorporated communities of Roxanna and Gumboro.
The Representative said on Monday that he felt some remorse over the decision, but believed it was the right move to gain the flexibility he needs at this point in his life.
“I want to thank all the people of the 41st District who, for more than a decade, have placed their faith in me to make their voices heard at Legislative Hall,” Collins said. “It has been a challenging job at times, but one that I have always taken pride in performing to the best of my abilities.”
During his tenure, he has been a vocal critic of government actions he believed infringed on citizens’ freedoms. Further, Collins has authored numerous bills aimed at reducing taxes, limiting state agencies’ regulatory authority, and increasing government accountability. While he isn’t running in 2026, he made it evident that his work isn’t finished quite yet.
“Let me be clear that I will remain fully engaged with the community and will continue to serve them as I always have through the end of my term on Election Day next year,” he said. “Even though I am leaving elected office, I will continue to share my views on state and federal policy, help educate the public about what is happening in D.C. and Dover, and work to protect our community from government excess.”
State Representative Charles Postles
Postles has represented the 33rd Representative District, located in southeast Kent County, since 2016. It includes all or portions of the municipalities of Milford, Frederica, Bowers, Magnolia, and Houston.
Postles said on Tuesday that he came to the decision after recovering from a recent illness, and is seeking to have more time to deal with personal family issues.
“I have been blessed to work for the people of the 33rd District,” he said. “While I have often been disappointed by the laws that have emerged from Legislative Hall, I believe I did everything within my power to represent my constituents’ perspectives and resolve problems they had with the state bureaucracy.”
Postles has actively supported the agricultural community in the General Assembly, and is notably one of the few active farmers serving in the legislature. During his tenure, he has advocated for improving public education and protecting citizens’ rights from governmental intrusion. He is also a member of the Joint Finance Committee.
