Christopher A. Coons
U.S. Senate · DE · Democrats · since 2021
alsoCandidate for U.S. Senate · DE
Biography
Overview
Christopher A. Coons is a Democrat serving as Delaware's senior U.S. Senator since 2010. He is a lawyer who previously served as New Castle County executive from 2005 to 2010. Coons graduated from Amherst College, Yale Divinity School, and Yale Law School. Before entering electoral politics, he worked as a legal clerk, in-house counsel for a manufacturing company, and for several nonprofit organizations including the Coalition for the Homeless. He is known for his work on foreign relations and appropriations policy, and currently serves as Vice Chair of the Senate Ethics Committee.
Career
Coons secured appointment to the Appropriations Committee in 2013, becoming the first Delaware senator on the committee in 40 years. As county executive, he balanced the budget with a surplus while maintaining a AAA bond rating. In the Senate, he has championed intellectual property protection, supported the Appropriations Committee's role in government funding, and maintained strong influence on foreign relations matters. He was Biden's co-chair for the 2024 reelection campaign and is described as among Biden's closest Senate allies. He was considered a candidate for Secretary of State in the Biden administration.
Prior political experience
Coons was first elected to the Senate in a 2010 special election, defeating Republican Christine O'Donnell with 56.6% of the vote. He was elected to a full term in 2014, winning 55.8% of the vote against Republican Kevin Wade and Green Party candidate Andrew Groff. In 2020, Coons defeated Republican Lauren Witzke in the general election with 59% of the vote. He also easily defeated progressive challenger Jessica Scarane in the 2020 Democratic primary.
Biographical material adapted from the Wikipedia article (retrieved April 29, 2026), available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Ideology
Liberal–Conservative (DW-NOMINATE dim 1)
Secondary axis (DW-NOMINATE dim 2)(?)
Campaigns targeting Christopher A. Coons
No active campaigns target Christopher A. Coons right now.
Start a campaign targeting Christopher A. CoonsOfficeholding history
| Term | Seat | Term dates | Termination | Predecessor | Successor |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3rd | U.S. Senate DE Class 2 | 2021–present | In progress | Christopher A. Coons | — |
| 2nd | U.S. Senate DE Class 2 | 2015–2021 | Term ended | Christopher A. Coons | Christopher A. Coons |
| 1st | U.S. Senate DE Class 2 | 2010–2015 | Term ended | — | Christopher A. Coons |
Committee assignments
- Department of DefenseSenateRanking Member· 2021–present
- East Asia, the Pacific, and International Cybersecurity PolicySenateRanking Member· 2021–present
- SenateVice Chairman· 2021–present
- Africa and Global Health PolicySenate· 2021–present
- Senate· 2021–present
- State Department and USAID Management, International Operations, and Bilateral International DevelopmentSenate· 2021–present
- Privacy, Technology, and the LawSenate· 2021–present
- Intellectual PropertySenate· 2021–present
- Crime and CounterterrorismSenate· 2021–present
- Financial Services and General GovernmentSenate· 2021–present
- Senate· 2021–present
- Energy and Water DevelopmentSenate· 2021–present
- Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related AgenciesSenate· 2021–present
- Multilateral International Development, Multilateral Institutions, and International Economic, Energy, and Environmental PolicySenate· 2021–present
- Border Security and ImmigrationSenate· 2021–present
- State, Foreign Operations, and Related ProgramsSenate· 2021–present
- Senate· 2021–present
- Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related AgenciesSenate· 2021–present
- Senate· 2021–present
Current term legislation
Bills sponsored this term10
- S. 1974
ABC-ED Act of 2025
Jun 5, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - S. 1883
DISRUPT Act
May 22, 2025INTRODUCED - S. 1731
COUNTER Act of 2025
May 13, 2025INTRODUCED - S. 1660
Research Advancing to Market Production for Innovators Act
May 7, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - S. 1659
Bankruptcy Administration Improvement Act of 2025
May 7, 2025INTRODUCED - S. 1553
PREVAIL Act
May 1, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - S. 1463
Finding ORE Act
Apr 10, 2025INTRODUCED - S. 1461
Safe SHORES Act of 2025
Apr 10, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - S. 1395
NO TIME TO Waste Act);
Apr 9, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - S. 1367
NO FAKES Act of 2025
Apr 9, 2025IN_COMMITTEE
Bills cosponsored this term10
- S. 2523
John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act of 2025
Jul 29, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - S. 2524
Restoring Essential Healthcare Act
Jul 29, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - S. 2514
Gun Violence Prevention Research Act of 2025
Jul 29, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - S. 2461
Promotion and Expansion of Private Employee Ownership Act of 2025
Jul 24, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - S. 2426
Equitable Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act
Jul 24, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - S. 2408
Access to Fertility Treatment and Care Act
Jul 23, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - S. 2387
LEAD Act of 2025
Jul 23, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - S. 2386
Preventing Authoritarian Policing Tactics on America’s Streets Act
Jul 22, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - S. 2377
EACH Act of 2025
Jul 22, 2025IN_COMMITTEE - S. 2379
Countering Threats and Attacks on Our Judges Act
Jul 22, 2025INTRODUCED
Elections
| Year | Seat | Result | Vote share | Field |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | U.S. Senate DE Class 1 | Won | 59.44% |
|