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Chris Coons

Democratic candidate for U.S. Senator, Delaware · Incumbent

U.S. Senator from Delaware

Chris Coons is a Democrat who has represented Delaware in the U.S. Senate since winning a 2010 election, and he is running for another term. He won the Democratic primary on Sept. 15, 2026, beating Jeff Appelhans, Eric No-Trump Hansen and Mary Louve. In the Nov. 3 general election he faces Republican Dr. Michael "Mike" Katz.

Where Coons stands

Campaign priorities: Says his priorities are opportunity, security and justice: raising wages, protecting residents from threats abroad and at home, and rooting out corruption in Washington.
Federal spending and debt: Says both parties share responsibility for deficits. Supports raising taxes on wealthy Americans and highly profitable corporations while giving relief to working families.
Social Security: Supports raising the income cap on Social Security payroll taxes. Supports a bipartisan process to consider other changes to strengthen the program.
Health care: Defends the Affordable Care Act as a way to expand access to insurance and preventive care. Argues that better access to primary care can reduce costly emergency treatment.
Tariffs and trade: Opposes the Trump administration's broad tariffs, arguing they raise prices for consumers and businesses, including Delaware's chemical, agriculture and port industries. Favors removing trade barriers.
Iran: Opposes the administration's conduct of the war with Iran, citing poor planning and too little consultation with Congress and allies. Calls for ending the conflict and reopening shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
Ukraine: Supports continued U.S. support for Ukraine against Russia's invasion.
Senate filibuster: Supports keeping the Senate filibuster. Is open to some reforms, especially for voting rights legislation.
Immigration: Supports border security combined with more accountability for federal immigration enforcement and legal pathways for qualifying immigrants.
Artificial intelligence: Supports responsible AI development, with an emphasis on safeguards and on how data centers affect local communities.

Background

U.S. Senator from Delaware, 2010–present
Committees: Appropriations, Foreign Relations, Judiciary, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Ethics (vice chair)
Ranking Democrat, Senate Defense Appropriations Subcommittee
New Castle County Executive, 2005–2010 (not verified in this session)
President, New Castle County Council, 2001–2005 (not verified in this session)
Education: Amherst College (B.A.); Yale Law School (J.D.); Yale Divinity School (M.A.) (not verified in this session)

In the news

Delaware Republican U.S. Senate candidate alleges campaign interference by ‘powerful elite’ during forum WHYY, October 22, 2026
Coons declines student-led UD debate as Katz calls for face-to-face forum Delaware LIVE News, October 15, 2026
Katz calls for televised debate with Coons after campaign says UD debates canceled Delaware LIVE News, September 29, 2026
Chris Coons defeats challengers in Delaware’s Democratic primary for U.S. Senate WHYY, September 15, 2026

Also running for U.S. Senator

Michael "Dr. Mike" Katz Republican

Sources

Last researched October 23, 2026. Written in neutral language from the sources above. Spot an error? See how to report it.