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D Democratic · Incumbent · U.S. Senate, Delaware · Nov 3, 2026

Chris
Coons

Democratic incumbent Chris Coons seeks re-election to the U.S. Senate from Delaware in November 2026.

Researched checked 7 d ago
sources
24
positions
12
endorsements
14
chriscoons.com ↗(opens in a new tab) X(opens in a new tab)Bluesky(opens in a new tab)
Opponent Michael "Dr. Mike" Katz R Compare race →

Background

Chris Coons is the incumbent U.S. Senator from Delaware, first elected to the Senate in 2010. He was raised in Hockessin, Delaware, and currently lives in Wilmington. 2

Before his Senate career, Coons served as New Castle County Council president for four years and then as New Castle County executive for six years. Prior to entering elected office, he worked for Delaware-based manufacturing company W.L. Gore & Associates and was involved with the "I Have a Dream" Foundation, where he launched and ran its AmeriCorps program. 2

Coons holds a degree in chemistry and political science from Amherst College, a law degree from Yale Law School, and a master's degree in ethics from Yale Divinity School. 3

Coons is running as the Democratic candidate in the November 3, 2026, U.S. Senate general election in Delaware. 4

At a glance

Party
Democratic · Incumbent
Running for
U.S. Senate, Delaware
Election
Nov 3, 2026
Current office
U.S. Senator from Delaware
Website
chriscoons.com(opens in a new tab)

Where they stand

Each position links to the page it was drawn from. Quotes are verbatim.

Voting record

How Chris Coons voted in Congress: 118th Congress (2023–24) and 119th Congress (2025–26), Jan 23, 2023 to Sep 30, 2026. From the official House and Senate roll call records.

roll call votes
1,606
missed
5.4%
with their party’s majority
96%

Recent key votes

  • Sep 30, 2026 · Senate · PN1129 · Economy & jobs
    Keith Sonderling, of Florida, to be Secretary of Labor
    On the Nomination · Nomination Confirmed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    No
  • Sep 28, 2026 · Senate · S4668 · Education
    A bill to protect the name, image, and likeness rights of, and provide protections for, student athletes and to promote fair competition among intercollegiate athletics, and for other purposes.
    On Passage of the Bill · Bill Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Aug 8, 2026 · Senate · PN1078 · Crime & public safety
    Todd Blanche, of Florida, to be Attorney General
    On the Nomination · Nomination Confirmed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    No
  • Aug 8, 2026 · Senate · HR6500 · Taxes & budget
    An act making continuing appropriations and extensions for fiscal year 2027, and for other purposes.
    On Passage of the Bill · Bill Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Aug 7, 2026 · Senate · HR5334 · Foreign policy & defense
    An act to impose sanctions and other measures with respect to the Russian Federation, as championed by the late Senator Lindsey O. Graham, and for other purposes.
    On Passage of the Bill · Bill Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    Yes
  • Jul 28, 2026 · Senate · PN1092 · Foreign policy & defense
    Walter Clayton, of New York, to be Director of National Intelligence
    On the Nomination · Nomination Confirmed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    No
  • Jun 5, 2026 · Senate · S2 · Taxes & budget
    An original bill to provide for reconciliation pursuant to title II of S. Con. Res. 33.
    On Passage of the Bill · Bill Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    No
  • Apr 16, 2026 · Senate · HJRES140 · Climate & energy
    A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Bureau of Land Management relating to Public Land Order No. 7917 for Withdrawal of Federal Lands; Cook, Lake, and Saint Louis Counties, MN.
    On the Joint Resolution · Joint Resolution Passed
    Official roll call ↗(opens in a new tab)
    No

Key votes are final decisions on bills and joint resolutions, and top nominations. Software sorts each into an issue from its official title, so check the roll call. All 1,606 votes →

Timeline

  1. Nov 3
    news
    General election: Coons vs. Republican Mike Katz for Delaware U.S. Senate seat

    Coons and Katz are listed as the two Senate candidates for the November 3 general election. Early voting is reported to begin October 22. No general-election poll result for the Coons–Katz matchup was identified in available sources.

    Delaware election 2026: What to know about the U.S. Senate race between Chris Coons and Mike Katz - WHYY · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  2. Oct 10
    endorsement
    WHYY voter guide reports Coons endorsements and Palantir relationship announcement

    WHYY listed Coons endorsements including Delaware Gov. Matt Meyer, Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester, Rep. Sarah McBride, the Delaware Democratic Party, Planned Parenthood Action Fund, the League of Conservation Voters, and the Human Rights Campaign. WHYY also reported Coons announced a plan to end his relationship with Palantir, which had donated over $27,000 to his campaign, and noted over $500,000 in election-cycle donations from pro-Israel PACs.

    Delaware election 2026: What to know about the U.S. Senate race between Chris Coons and Mike Katz - WHYY · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  3. Oct 10
    news
    WHYY voter guide summarizes Coons's 2026 campaign priorities

    Coons emphasized cost of living, affordable housing, health-care access, protecting the ACA and Medicaid, education, manufacturing, labor rights, gun-prevention measures, Delaware infrastructure, and agriculture. He stated: 'Whether it's fighting to repair storm damage in Sussex County beaches...they can count on me as being a solid partner for the things that matter to Delaware and Delawareans.'

    Delaware election 2026: What to know about the U.S. Senate race between Chris Coons and Mike Katz - WHYY · Oct 10, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  4. Oct 6
    controversy
    Politico reports on Coons's Israel stance and AIPAC support amid Democratic criticism

    Politico reported Coons continues to support Israel's security partnership and accept AIPAC support, while facing criticism from some Democrats. Coons stated: 'I take money from everyone who is engaged in advocacy on behalf of my constituents and Americans.' The characterization of a 'turnabout' is Politico's framing.

    How Chris Coons has changed in the 3 years since the Oct. 7 attacks · Oct 6, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  5. Sep 28
    debate
    Coons declines WDEL debate offer; Katz calls for televised debate

    WDEL reported it invited Coons to debate Republican Mike Katz, with the event to air on WDEL and CoastTV. Coons rejected the offer. Katz urged the University of Delaware or a media outlet to organize a professionally moderated debate. WDEL's offer remained open as of October 7.

    Debating debates: Will Delaware have a broadcast debate in 2026? · Sep 28, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  6. Sep 25
    controversy
    WHYY reports Coons received donations from now-imprisoned contractor M. Kao

    WHYY reported that contractor M. Kao and his wife donated $18,700 to Coons's campaign in the 2014 and 2020 cycles. After Kao's guilty plea, the campaign redirected $18,800 to four charities in October 2023. The donations were not described as illegal contributions to Coons.

    Now-imprisoned contractor donated to DE U.S. Sen. Coons · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  7. Sep 15
    news
    Chris Coons wins Delaware Democratic Senate primary with 78% of the vote

    Coons defeated primary challengers Jeff Appelhans, Mary Louve, and Eric Hansen, receiving 78.0% of the vote to secure the Democratic nomination for the 2026 U.S. Senate race in Delaware.

    Delaware Senate Primary Election 2026 Live Results - NBC News · Sep 15, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  8. Jun 30
    filing
    FEC snapshot: Coons raised ~$3.94M, holds ~$4.71M cash on hand

    Through June 30, 2026, Coons had raised approximately $3.94 million, spent approximately $1.42 million, and reported approximately $4.71 million cash on hand, per FEC data cited by CivicGate.

    Christopher A. Coons — CivicGate · Sep 23, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  9. Oct 1, 2023
    news
    Coons campaign donates $18,800 to four charities after Kao guilty plea

    After contractor M. Kao pleaded guilty in cases involving illegal campaign contributions to another senator, Coons's campaign donated a total of $18,800 to four charities in October 2023, according to WHYY.

    Now-imprisoned contractor donated to DE U.S. Sen. Coons · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  10. Jan 1, 2020
    news
    Kao donations to Coons campaign continued through 2020 cycle

    The final portion of M. Kao and his wife's $18,700 in total contributions to Coons was made during the 2020 cycle, per WHYY reporting.

    Now-imprisoned contractor donated to DE U.S. Sen. Coons · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab)
  11. Jan 1, 2014
    news
    Contractor M. Kao and wife begin making donations to Coons's campaign

    Contractor M. Kao and his wife gave Coons's campaign $18,700 across the 2014 and 2020 election cycles, according to WHYY reporting. The contributions predated the 2026 race and were not described as illegal contributions to Coons.

    Now-imprisoned contractor donated to DE U.S. Sen. Coons · Sep 25, 2026 (opens in a new tab)

Endorsements

  • Human Rights Campaign organization
    Listed as an endorser in WHYY's August 26, 2026 voter guide; endorsement date not specified. whyy.org
  • Delaware Democratic Party organization
    Reported as an endorser by WHYY on August 26, 2026; endorsement date not specified. whyy.org
  • Delaware State Education Association union
    Reported as an endorser by WHYY on August 26, 2026; endorsement date not specified. whyy.org
  • Delaware Building and Construction Trades Council union
    Reported as an endorser by WHYY on August 26, 2026; endorsement date not specified. whyy.org
  • Planned Parenthood Action Fund organization
    Listed on 2026 endorsed-candidates page; endorsement date not specified. plannedparenthoodaction.org
  • Delaware Stonewall Political Action Committee organization
    Listed as an endorser in WHYY's August 26, 2026 voter guide; endorsement date not specified. whyy.org
  • The Steady State organization
    Organization of former national-security and public-service officials announced endorsement on September 29, 2026. steadystate1.substack.com · Sep 29, 2026
  • League of Conservation Voters Action Fund organization
    Congratulated Coons on primary win as an endorsed candidate on September 16, 2026; original endorsement date not specified. lcv.org · Sep 16, 2026
  • American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) union
    Announced endorsement on August 13, 2026, citing Coons's support for federal workers and collective-bargaining rights. afge.org · Aug 13, 2026
  • GIFFORDS PAC organization
    Announced endorsement on July 1, 2026. giffords.org · Jul 1, 2026
  • Gov. Matt Meyer official
    Listed as endorser with supportive statement reported on June 12, 2026. wgmd.com · Jun 12, 2026
  • Sen. Lisa Blunt Rochester official
    Listed as endorser with supportive statement reported on June 12, 2026. wgmd.com · Jun 12, 2026
  • Rep. Sarah McBride official
    Listed as endorser with supportive statement reported on June 12, 2026. wgmd.com · Jun 12, 2026
  • Delaware Attorney General Kathy Jennings official
    Listed as endorser reported on June 12, 2026. wgmd.com · Jun 12, 2026

Past elections

General election results for federal office, from the Federal Election Commission.

YearSeatResultVotesShare
2020U.S. Senate DE · DWon291,80459.4%

Covers the 2016 to 2022 general elections. The FEC has not yet published 2024 congressional results.

Campaign finance

Totals filed with the Federal Election Commission for the 2026 election cycle.

Raised
$6.90M
Spent
$3.94M
Cash on hand
$4.79M

As of Aug 26, 2026. Filings are periodic, so recent money may not be included yet. ↳ FEC record S0DE00092(opens in a new tab)

Sources 24

  1. [1] Delaware election 2026: What to know about the U.S. Senate race between Chris Coons and Mike Katz - WHYY(opens in a new tab) Oct 10, 2026
  2. [2] 2026 Planned Parenthood Action Fund Endorsed Candidates(opens in a new tab) Oct 9, 2026
  3. [3] How Chris Coons has changed in the 3 years since the Oct. 7 attacks(opens in a new tab) Oct 6, 2026
  4. [4] THE STEADY STATE ENDORSES CHRIS COONS FOR ...(opens in a new tab) Sep 29, 2026
  5. [5] Debating debates: Will Delaware have a broadcast debate in 2026?(opens in a new tab) Sep 28, 2026
  6. [6] Now-imprisoned contractor donated to DE U.S. Sen. Coons(opens in a new tab) Sep 25, 2026
  7. [7] Christopher A. Coons — CivicGate(opens in a new tab) Sep 23, 2026
  8. [8] LCV Action Fund Congratulates Endorsed Candidates on Delaware Primary Election Victories(opens in a new tab) Sep 16, 2026
  9. [9] Delaware Senate Primary Election 2026 Live Results - NBC News(opens in a new tab) Sep 15, 2026
  10. [10] DE election 2026: Democratic primary voter guide for Senate(opens in a new tab) Aug 26, 2026
  11. [11] Largest Federal Employee Union Endorses Delaware's ...(opens in a new tab) Aug 13, 2026
  12. [12] GIFFORDS PAC endorses Sen. Chris Coons in Delaware(opens in a new tab) Jul 1, 2026
  13. [13] US Senator Chris Coons Announces Run for Re-election(opens in a new tab) Jun 12, 2026
  14. [14] Priorities - Chris Coons(opens in a new tab) Jun 10, 2026
  15. [15] ICYMI: Senator Coons lays out economic policies to help working Delawareans in new op-ed(opens in a new tab) May 26, 2026
  16. [16] Senators Coons, Warren introduce ICE Accountability Act to ...(opens in a new tab) Mar 17, 2026
  17. [17] EXCERPTS: Senator Coons lays out positive policy vision ...(opens in a new tab) Feb 4, 2026
  18. [18] Economic Opportunity - Senator Christopher Coons(opens in a new tab) Dec 5, 2025
  19. [19] Health Care - Senator Christopher Coons(opens in a new tab) Dec 5, 2025
  20. [20] Public Safety - Senator Christopher Coons(opens in a new tab) Dec 5, 2025
  21. [21] Women's Rights - Senator Christopher Coons(opens in a new tab) Dec 5, 2025
  22. [22] Senator Coons statement on Senate passage of the Republican tax ...(opens in a new tab) Jul 1, 2025
  23. [23] Sen. Coons Statement on New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen decision(opens in a new tab) Jun 27, 2025
  24. [24] Sen. Coons' statement on the anniversary of January 6, 2021(opens in a new tab) Jun 27, 2025
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