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Portrait of Christopher A. CoonsPhoto: unitedstates.github.io

DE · Officeholder

Christopher A. Coons

DU.S. Senator · Delaware

On the ballot Nov 3, 2026: U.S. Senate · Delaware

Biography

Chris Coons is the Democratic incumbent seeking re-election. A Delaware lawyer and former manufacturing-company employee, he served on and then led New Castle County government before being elected to the U.S. Senate in 2010. He sits on the Appropriations, Foreign Relations, Judiciary, Small Business and Ethics committees and is running on his Senate record.[1][2][3]

Chris Coons was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, in 1963, and, according to his Senate website, was raised in Hockessin, Delaware.[2][3] He earned a bachelor's degree in chemistry and political science from Amherst College in 1985, spent a semester at the University of Nairobi in Kenya, and later received a master of arts in religion from Yale Divinity School and a J.D. from Yale Law School, both in 1992.[2][3] After college he worked with the South African Council of Churches in the anti-apartheid movement, and as a law student he founded the Delaware chapter of the national "I Have a Dream" Foundation, later launching and running its AmeriCorps program, according to his Senate website.[3] He then worked for the Delaware-based W.L. Gore & Associates before entering county government; Ballotpedia also describes him as a nonprofit executive and attorney.[2][3]

Coons served as president of the New Castle County Council from 2001 to 2005 and as New Castle County Executive from 2005 to 2010.[2][3] He was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2010 and has served since. His Senate site lists committee service on Appropriations, Foreign Relations, Judiciary, Small Business and Entrepreneurship, and Ethics; he is Vice Chair of the Ethics Committee and the ranking Democrat on the Defense Appropriations subcommittee.[2][3] According to the same site, he was an ordained elder in the Presbyterian Church and is one of three senators with a divinity degree. He lives in Wilmington with his wife, Annie; they have three grown children.[3]

  1. 1.United States Senate election in Delaware, 2026 · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
  2. 2.Chris Coons · Ballotpedia · 2026-09-25 Reference
  3. 3.Meet Chris · Office of Senator Chris Coons, U.S. Senate Official record

Researched from the cited sources on 2026-10-21.

On the ballot

Full candidate research ›U.S. Senate · Delaware ›

Also on the ballot for this seat

Michael KatzCandidateRU.S. Senate · DelawareDelawareTravis StevensCandidateUnaffiliatedU.S. Senate · DelawareDelaware

Votes by issue

Their recorded votes on bills that divided the chamber (unanimous votes left out), grouped by topic. A bill can sit under more than one topic. "With" and "against" compare each vote with how most Democrats voted. How topics are assigned

Where they stood out

Voted against most of their party on 47 of 794 party-divided votes on file.

Most often on: Foreign affairs & defense (26), Jobs & cost of living (4), Technology & privacy (3)

  • Kennedy Amdt. No. 6760; To limit price increases for college athletics tickets.

    A yes vote would have adopted Amendment 6760, which would limit price increases for college athletics tickets. (AI-written)

    What it does: Protect College Sports Act of 2026 This bill establishes requirements for name, image, or likeness (NIL) agreements for college student athletes and provides a limited antitrust exemption for schools and conferences t…

    Voted no · most Democrats voted yes · Democrats 31–14, Republicans 9–40

    Sep 28, 2026Official record ↗

  • Paul Amdt. No. 6715; To strike the provision relating to duties on countries that purchase Russian-origin crude oil or natural gas or facilitate sanctions evasion.

    A yes vote would have adopted Amendment 6715, which would strike the provision on duties on countries that buy Russian-origin crude oil or natural gas or facilitate sanctions evasion. (AI-written)

    What it does: Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026 This bill imposes a variety of sanctions, tariffs, and prohibitions related to Russia, extends an Iran-related sanctions law, and expands a tax deduction for t…

    Voted no · most Democrats voted yes · Democrats 29–15, Republicans 2–48

    Aug 7, 2026Official record ↗

  • Confirmation: Darrell Owens, of Pennsylvania, to be U.S. Representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe

    What it does: Confirms Darrell Owens as U.S. Representative to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

    Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 16–29, Republicans 50–0

    Jun 23, 2026Official record ↗

  • Confirmation: Lt. Gen. Joshua M. Rudd to be General in the United States Army

    What it does: The following named officer for appointment in the United States Army to the grade indicated while assigned to a position of importance and responsibility under title 10, U.S.C.

    Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 17–28, Republicans 51–0

    Mar 10, 2026Official record ↗

  • H.R. 7148, as Amended; A bill making further consolidated appropriations for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2026, and for other purposes.

    What it does: Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 This bill provides appropriations to several federal departments and agencies for the remainder of FY2026 and provides continuing FY2026 appropriations for the Department of Homel…

    Voted yes · most Democrats voted no · Democrats 22–23, Republicans 46–5

    Jan 30, 2026Official record ↗

How this is counted

Their votes on the most contested roll calls

The votes in their chamber that came out closest and most divided by party, among those they voted on. How we rank

See all their split votes

Substantive votes concern legislation or nominations; procedural votes concern how the chamber considers them. A Yes vote applies to the motion shown, which may not be final passage.

PN1129 · U.S. SENATE

Confirmation: Keith Sonderling, of F.L., to be Secretary of Labor

NoVOTED

Motion: On the Nomination

Confirms Keith Sonderling as Secretary of Labor.

AI summary — read the bill text ↗
Confirmed 47–41·Substantive·Sep 30, 2026Roll call ↗
PN1129 · U.S. SENATE

Motion to Invoke Cloture: Keith Sonderling to be Secretary of Labor

NoVOTED

Motion: On the Cloture Motion

A yes vote ended debate (cloture) so the Senate could move to a final vote on the nomination of Keith Sonderling to be Secretary of Labor. (AI-written)

Agreed to 53–47·Procedural·Sep 30, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 9340 · U.S. SENATE

Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Proceed to H.R. 9340; A bill to amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to establish a Federal standard relating to the recovery of the full, incremental costs of upgrades that serve large-load customers, and for other purposes.

NoVOTED

Motion: On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed

A yes vote would have ended debate on whether the Senate should begin considering H.R. 9340, a bill setting a federal standard on recovering the costs of upgrades serving large-load electricity customers (cloture on the motion to proceed). (AI-written)

Ratepayer Protection Act The bill requires state utility regulators and nonregulated utilities to consider implementing a standard to hold certain large-load customers responsible for the costs associated with any generation, transmission, or distribution upgrade of electric service necessary to serve such customers.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Rejected 57–43·Procedural·Sep 30, 2026Roll call ↗
H.R. 7008 · U.S. SENATE

Motion to Invoke Cloture on the Motion to Proceed: H.R. 7008; A bill to amend chapter 131 of title 5 to require certain restrictions on stocks for Members of Congress and their spouses and dependents, and for other purposes.

NoVOTED

Motion: On Cloture on the Motion to Proceed

A yes vote would have ended debate on whether the Senate should begin considering H.R. 7008, a bill requiring certain restrictions on stocks held by Members of Congress and their spouses and dependents (cloture on the motion to proceed). (AI-written)

Stop Insider Trading Act This bill generally prohibits Members of Congress and their spouses and dependent children from purchasing stocks and requires public notice before these individuals may sell stocks.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Rejected 53–47·Procedural·Sep 30, 2026Roll call ↗
S.Res. 852 · U.S. SENATE

Motion to Discharge S. Res. 852; A resolution requesting information on Israel's human rights practices pursuant to section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961.

YesVOTED

Motion: On the Motion to Discharge

A yes vote would have discharged S.Res. 852, requesting information on Israel's human rights practices under section 502B(c) of the Foreign Assistance Act, from committee so the Senate could consider it. (AI-written)

As introduced, requests that the Secretary of State give Congress, within 30 days, a statement on Israel's human rights practices, including information on alleged killings of U.S. citizens by Israeli forces or settlers since 2022, Americans held in Israeli prisons and detained Palestinian children.

AI summary — read the bill text ↗
Rejected 47–51·Procedural·Sep 29, 2026Roll call ↗
S.J.Res. 197 · U.S. SENATE

Motion to Proceed to S.J. Res. 197; A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services of the Department of Health and Human Services relating to "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, HHS Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2027; and Basic Health Program".

YesVOTED

Motion: On the Motion to Proceed

A yes vote would have moved the Senate to take up S.J.Res. 197, a resolution to disapprove the CMS rule on the 2027 Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters and the Basic Health Program. (AI-written)

Overturns the federal health agency's 2027 rule setting payment parameters and standards for Affordable Care Act marketplace plans, including insurer user fees, broker rules, hardship exemptions and catastrophic-plan options, so the rule has no legal effect.

AI summary — read the bill text ↗
Rejected 48–51·Procedural·Sep 29, 2026Roll call ↗
S. 4668 · U.S. SENATE

S. 4668, as amended; 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.

YesVOTED

Motion: On Passage of the Bill

Protect College Sports Act of 2026 This bill establishes requirements for name, image, or likeness (NIL) agreements for college student athletes and provides a limited antitrust exemption for schools and conferences to pool and sell certain college sports media rights.

Official summary — read the bill text ↗
Passed 77–22·Substantive·Sep 28, 2026Roll call ↗
S. 4668 · U.S. SENATE

Booker Amdt. No. 6835; To establish certain standards with respect to coaches of varsity sports teams.

YesVOTED

Motion: On the Amendment S.Amdt. 6835

A yes vote would have adopted Amendment 6835, which would establish certain standards for coaches of varsity sports teams. (AI-written)

Amendment purpose (official): To establish certain standards with respect to coaches of varsity sports teams.

Bill summary: Protect College Sports Act of 2026 This bill establishes requirements for name, image, or likeness (NIL) agreements for college student athletes and provides a limited antitrust exemption for schools and conferences to pool and sell certain college sports media rights.

Latest official summary of the bill (as amended) — read the bill text ↗
Rejected 47–52·Substantive·Sep 28, 2026Roll call ↗
S. 4668 · U.S. SENATE

Booker Amdt. No. 6805; To increase the limitation on funding for post-eligibility insurance and catastrophic injury for student athletes.

YesVOTED

Motion: On the Amendment S.Amdt. 6805

A yes vote would have adopted Amendment 6805, which would increase the limit on funding for post-eligibility insurance and catastrophic injury coverage for student athletes. (AI-written)

Amendment purpose (official): To increase the limitation on funding for post-eligibility insurance and catastrophic injury for student athletes.

Bill summary: Protect College Sports Act of 2026 This bill establishes requirements for name, image, or likeness (NIL) agreements for college student athletes and provides a limited antitrust exemption for schools and conferences to pool and sell certain college sports media rights.

Latest official summary of the bill (as amended) — read the bill text ↗
Rejected 49–50·Substantive·Sep 28, 2026Roll call ↗
S. 4668 · U.S. SENATE

Kennedy Amdt. No. 6760; To limit price increases for college athletics tickets.

NoVOTED

Motion: On the Amendment S.Amdt. 6760

A yes vote would have adopted Amendment 6760, which would limit price increases for college athletics tickets. (AI-written)

Amendment purpose (official): To limit price increases for college athletics tickets.

Bill summary: Protect College Sports Act of 2026 This bill establishes requirements for name, image, or likeness (NIL) agreements for college student athletes and provides a limited antitrust exemption for schools and conferences to pool and sell certain college sports media rights.

Latest official summary of the bill (as amended) — read the bill text ↗
Rejected 42–54·Substantive·Sep 28, 2026Roll call ↗

Showing 10 of 911 votes in this collection. Coverage may be incomplete; each entry links to the official record.