Pair of downstate Republicans won’t seek re-election

Rep. Rich Collins, R-Millsboro, and Rep. Charles Postles, R-Milford, have each announced they will not seek re-election in 2026, and candidates have already started filing to seek their vacant seats. 

Collins, 76, who has represented the 41st District since 2014, said he felt some remorse over the decision but believes 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,” he 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.”

Throughout his tenure, Collins has consistently been rated among the most conservative members of the Delaware General Assembly by the American Conservative Union. He has been an outspoken critic of government actions he believed infringed on citizens’ freedoms and has authored numerous bills aimed at reducing taxes, limiting state agencies' regulatory authority and increasing government accountability.

“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,” Collins 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.”

An alumnus of Seaford High School and the University of Delaware, Collins has decades of experience in the insurance industry, having owned and operated Access Insurance & Financial Services. He has also been a teacher and farmer, and is the former executive director of the Positive Growth Alliance, a group dedicated to protecting private property rights.

Also not seeking re-election in 2026 is Rep. Charles Postles, R-Milford. Postles, also 76, said in a statement that he is recovering from a recent illness and wants to have more time for personal family issues.

“I have been wrestling with this over for the past several months,” Postles said. “After speaking with my family, a few colleagues and praying for guidance, I concluded that this was the best course of action.

“I have been blessed to work for the people of the 33rd District,” he continued. “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 was born and raised in Kent County. He attended public school in Frederica, graduated from Milford High School, and went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in agriculture business management at the University of Delaware, where he met his wife Janet.

Candidates file 

Candidates have already filed for the 41st District seat. Democrat Ryan Stuckey filed to run Oct. 23, and Republican Douglas Conaway filed Nov. 20. 

In the 33rd District, Republican Matt Bucher has filed to fill Postles’ seat, while Republican Morgan Hudson has announced she will also run for the seat. Hudson unsuccessfully ran against Postles in the 2016 Republican primary. 

Republican Greg Fuller filed Nov 19 to run for re-election for the Sussex County row office of register of wills.