Sen. Chris Coons

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D Delaware (2010-) In Office

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Biographical

Full Name: Christopher Andrew Coons
Gender: Male
Pronunciation: kris koonz
Date of Birth: Sept. 9, 1963 (age: 60)
Place of Birth: Greenwich, Conn.
Religion: Presbyterian
Hometown: Hockessin, Del.
Place of Residence: Wilmington, Del.
Previous Occupation: Attorney

Wikipedia

Official biography

Family:

Married: Annie Lingenfelter Coons, 1996

3 children: Michael, Jack, Maggie

Biography:

Chris Coons has worked hard to find bipartisan solutions to the issues facing Delaware and the nation. He has emerged as a strong voice for job creation and the innovation economy, fighting in Congress for deficit reduction, progressive social justice, and forward-looking foreign policy. Unwilling to be sidelined by partisan gridlock, Chris has worked tirelessly to build relationships with his Republican and Democratic colleagues to find creative ways to get results for the people of Delaware.

Putting pragmatism ahead of politics, Chris has partnered with Republicans to draw attention to a number of key issues facing Delaware and the United States. Chris and Republican Senator Jerry Moran of Kansas founded the Senate Competitiveness Cauc us to support policies that promote U.S. innovation and competitiveness in the global economy.

Chris also joined with Republican Senator Mark Kirk of Illinois to create the Senate Human Rights Caucus. Along with Republican Senator Roy Blunt of Missouri, Chris founded and leads the Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, which aims to strengthen local, state, and federal public safety efforts and improve police-community relations. Chris also worked with Senator Johnny Isakson of Georgia to establish the Senate Chicken Caucus, through which the Senators helped persuade South Africa to eliminate longstanding barriers to U.S. poultry imports for the first time in 15 years.

Chris’ top priority as a Senator is fighting for Delaware, and he has hosted dozens of job fairs throughout the First State to help veterans and Delawareans of all backgrounds find work. Committed to harnessing the economic potential of American innovation, Senator Coons is leading a campaign in the Senate to refocus Washington’s attention on manufacturing jobs. The Manufacturing Jobs for America (MJA) initiative aims to build bipartisan support for legislation that will modernize America’s manufacturing sector, help our manufacturers grow and create jobs, and equip American workers with the skills to succeed in the next generation of manufacturing jobs. Chris is the lead sponsor of several bills included in the MJA initiative, and in December 2015, two of Chris’ legislative proposals – a permanent extension of the R&D tax credit, and a new provision to help startups access that credit – were signed into law by President Obama.

Having spent eight years working in the private sector for an advanced materials manufacturing company in Delaware, Chris knows firsthand how important intellectual property protections are to promoting investments in breakthrough technologies and cures. On the Senate Judiciary Committee, Chris has fought to strengthen and modernize our nation’s patent system and establish new protections for American inventions and innovations.

Chris knows that Delaware can’t reach its economic potential at home if we don’t maintain American leadership throughout the world. That’s why he’s used his position on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to advocate for key foreign policy and national security priorities, from calling for Congress to declare war on ISIS to keeping rogue nations like Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. Chris knows that a safe and secure world depends on clear-eyed American leadership – and he is confident that we can keep our country safe without jeopardizing our fundamental values.

Chris has emerged as an important voice on the continent’s security challenges and economic opportunities. He is focused on building partnerships throughout Africa and ensuring that health programs, food aid, economic development, and security assistance effectively reach those who need it most. Chris has worked to improve access to electricity in sub-Saharan Africa; engage businesses in expanded trade and investment opportunities; end preventable maternal and child deaths; protect wildlife from trafficking; and promote peace, democracy, and human rights across the continent.

In the fall of 2015, Chris brought business and nonprofit leaders from around the world to Wilmington as part of his fourth annual “Opportunity: Africa” conference, which seeks to promote trade and investment between the U.S. and Africa. Chris’ commitment to the continent stems from his interest in African affairs that began long before he became a U.S. Senator. In college, Chris spent a semester studying at the University of Nairobi in Kenya. He returned to the continent in the late 1980s to work with the South African Council of Churches in the anti-apartheid movement.

Chris’ election to the Senate in 2010 capped a decade of successful service in New Castle County government. In four years as New Castle County Council President and six years as New Castle County Executive, Chris earned a reputation for delivering real results on behalf of Delawareans and supporting the county during the least stable economic climate in decades. Chris balanced six budgets by eliminating wasteful spending and created jobs through innovative public-private partnerships. His Safe Streets partnership removed dangerous parole violators from Delaware neighborhoods and cleaned up dozens of the worst county properties. He also preserved thousands of acres of open space and fought for an independent ethics commission to make county government more transparent.

Prior to serving as County Executive, Chris worked as an attorney for Delaware-based W.L. Gore & Associates, one of the 200 largest privately held companies in the United States. As a law student, Chris founded the first Delaware chapter of the “I Have a Dream” Foundation, which helps low-income students make the academic journey from elementary school through college. Shortly after receiving his law degree and clerking on the U.S.

Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, he began working at the organization's national office, where he launched and ran its AmeriCorps program in fifteen cities. In this program, AmeriCorps members help recruit and train volunteers to mentor students participating in the Foundation’s college-attainment program.

Chris graduated from Amherst College with a B.A. in Chemistry and Political Science, and earned his law degree from Yale Law School and a Master's in Ethics from Yale Divinity School. A longtime New Castle County resident, Chris grew up in the Pike Creek and Hockessin areas and lives in Wilmington with his wife, Annie, and their children. See more >>

Miscellaneous Links:

Ballotpedia

C-SPAN

GovTrack

Project VoteSmart

Campaign Links:

Website, campaign

Email, campaign: info@chriscoons.com

X (Twitter), campaign

Facebook, campaign

Open Secrets political finance profile

YouTube, campaign

Social Networking:

LinkedIn

Facebook, official

X (Twitter), official

YouTube, official

Instagram, official

Flickr, official

Official Links:

Website, official

Press Releases

Official press releases »

Education

Yale Law School - JD (1992)
Yale Divinity School - MAR, ethics (1992)
Amherst College - BA, chemistry and political science (1985)

Activities and notes: Truman Scholarship
University of Nairobi (Kenya) - Study abroad (1984)
Tower Hill School (Wilmington, Del.) - High school diploma (1977-1981)

Greek Organizations:

Delta Kappa Epsilon Fraternity

Office History

Congressional Offices:

U.S. Senate (Nov. 15, 2010-) In Office

Member, U.S. Senator for Delaware

Election Results

2021 (Nov. 3, 2020 election)

U.S. Senate Seat for Delaware (Class 2)

Christopher Andrew Coons (Chris), 59.44%
Democrat

Lauren E. Witzke, 37.90%
Republican

Mark Turley, 1.60%
Independent

Nadine M. Frost, 1.07%
Libertarian
2015 (Nov. 4, 2014 election)

U.S. Senate Seat for Delaware (Class 2)

Christopher Andrew Coons (Chris), 55.83%
Democrat

Kevin Wade, 42.23%
Republican

Andrew Groff, 1.95%
Green

Employment History

New Castle County, Del. (Jan. 2005-2010)

County Executive

Associated Organizations

Board membership:

Grandma Sally's Expand Your Horizon Trust
Trustee
Robert W. Gore Trust
Co-Trustee
Middle Run Charitable Foundation
John C. Stennis Center for Public Service Leadership
Trustee
Third Way
Honorary Co-Chair

Election campaign:

Chris Coons for Delaware

Own leadership PAC:

Blue Hen PAC

Awards

Federal Champion (American Flood Coalition)
College Health and Well-Being Champion Award (American College Health Association) (Feb. 2024)
Housing Champion Award (Habitat for Humanity International Inc.) (Feb. 2024)
Statesmanship Award (Former Members of Congress) (Sept. 2021)
National Service Hall of Fame (Voices for National Service) (2021)
Friend of Farm Bureau Award (American Farm Bureau Federation) (Nov. 2020)
Champion for Healthy Seniors Award (Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease) (Aug. 2020)
Spirit of Enterprise Award (U.S. Chamber of Commerce) (June 2020)
John S. McCain Service to Country Award (Voices for National Service) (Feb. 2020)
Edward M. Kennedy National Service Lifetime Leadership Award (Voices for National Service) (2019)
Distinguished Community Health Advocate Award (National Association of Community Health Centers Inc.) (2019)
Distinguished Service Award (Voices for National Service) (2018)
Distinguished Community Health Advocate Award (National Association of Community Health Centers Inc.) (2018)
Distinguished Community Health Advocate Award (National Association of Community Health Centers Inc.) (2017)
Champions for Children Award (Save the Children) (April 12, 2016)
Hero of Main Street (National Retail Federation) (July 2015)
Champion of Science Award (The Science Coalition) (Oct. 2014)
Outstanding National Service Advocacy Award (Voices for National Service) (2014)
Congressional Voice for Children Award (National Parent Teacher Association) (March 2013)
Outstanding New Member Award (Voices for National Service) (2012)

Activities and Interests

Hobbies: performing wedding ceremonies

Official Signature

Contact Information

Email, member official contact form

Office Addresses:

Main Office:

Address:	218 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510
Phone:	202-224-5042

View Larger Map

» District Offices

Privately Financed Travel

8 trips taken between 2013 - 2023 costing $107,464

See map of trips

Trip Destinations:

Trip Sponsors:

» see more

Personal Financial Disclosures

Disclosures as a member:

Annual: 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2019 (Amendment), 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2014 (Amendment), 2013, 2013 (Amendment), 2013 (Amendment), 2012, 2012 (Amendment), 2011, 2011 (Amendment)
Election Candidate: 2010
Extension Letter: 2024, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2017, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2011
Stock transaction: 03/06/2024, 03/06/2024, 02/10/2023, 05/03/2022, 11/29/2021, 08/16/2021, 03/04/2021, 08/18/2020, 07/02/2019, 06/24/2019, 05/17/2019, 08/28/2018, 05/03/2018, 05/02/2016, 05/14/2013
» see more

Foreign Gifts

4/12/2011: Zebra painting from Kenya ($200.00)
2/27/2012: Juan Valdez Samurai Pods coffee maker and pods of Juan Valdez coffee from Colombia ($160.00)
3/7/2012: National Geographic DVD "The Last Place on Earth" from Gabon ($175.00)
5/9/2012: Taiwanese ceramic vase from Taiwan ($225.00)
6/2/2012: Zanzibar door from Tanzania ($100.00)
1/17/2013: Lapis lazuli vase from Afghanistan ($250.00)
1/23/2013: Congolese wooden and brass statue from Congo, Democratic Republic of the ($100.00)
2/24/2013: Congolese wooden and brass statue from Congo, Democratic Republic of the ($100.00)
12/19/2014: Handmade bedspread and pillow shams from Liberia ($200.00)
8/27/2015: Transportation to sites within Gabon via military helicopter from Gabon
8/27/2015: Transportation to sites within Gabon via military helicopter from Gabon
8/14/2016: Teapot, rug from Morocco ($100.00)
12/6/2017: Moldovan scotch, and collection of Moldovan stamps from Moldova ($277.35)

» See more

Congressional Staff

Staff Turnover:

Turnover Index: 0.21
(House Average: 0.22)
» See more

Staff Salary Rate:

Office Median Annual Salary: $72,190.03
» See more

Staff Salaries Paid:

By Fiscal Year
By Calendar Year
By Quarter

» See full staffer list

» view all salaries

Committees

Senate Appropriations Committee

Senate Appropriations Committee Commerce, Justice, Science and Related Agencies Subcommittee

Senate Appropriations Committee Defense Subcommittee

Senate Appropriations Committee Energy and Water Development Subcommittee

Senate Appropriations Committee Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee

Senate Appropriations Committee State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs Subcommittee, Chair

Senate Appropriations Committee Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies Subcommittee

Senate Foreign Relations Committee

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Africa and Global Health Policy Subcommittee

Senate Foreign Relations Committee East Asia, the Pacific and International Cybersecurity Policy Subcommittee

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Multilateral International Development, Multilateral Institutions and International Economic, Energy and Environmental Policy Subcommittee

Senate Foreign Relations Committee State Department and USAID Management, International Operations and Bilateral International Development Subcommittee

Senate Judiciary Committee

Senate Judiciary Committee Competition Policy, Antitrust and Consumer Rights Subcommittee

Senate Judiciary Committee Criminal Justice and Counterterrorism Subcommittee

Senate Judiciary Committee Immigration, Citizenship and Border Safety Subcommittee

Senate Judiciary Committee Intellectual Property Subcommittee, Chair

Senate Judiciary Committee Privacy, Technology and the Law Subcommittee

Caucuses

American Flood Coalition
Bipartisan Historically Black Colleges and Universities Caucus, Co-Chair
Common Sense Coalition
Congressional Arthritis Caucus
Congressional Coalition on Adoption
Congressional Fire Services Caucus
Congressional French Caucus, Co-Chair
Congressional High Tech Caucus
Congressional HIV/AIDS Caucus
Congressional Inventions Caucus
Congressional Multiple Sclerosis Caucus
Congressional Sickle Cell Caucus
Congressional Trademark Caucus, Co-Chair
Congressional Veterans Jobs Caucus
Friends of Australia Caucus
International Conservation Caucus, Co-Chair
International Creativity and Theft-Prevention Caucus
Rare Disease Caucus
Senate Afterschool Caucus
Senate Air Force Caucus
Senate ALS Caucus, Co-Chair and Co-Founder
Senate Artificial Intelligence Caucus
Senate Bipartisan Task Force for Combating Anti-Semitism
Senate Caucus to End Human Trafficking
Senate Chemistry Caucus, Co-Chair
Senate Chicken Caucus, Co-Chair and Founder
Senate Climate Change Task Force
Senate Climate Solutions Caucus, Co-Chair and Co-Founder
Senate Community Health Centers Caucus
Senate Competitiveness Caucus, Co-Chair and Co-Founder
Senate Cultural Caucus
Senate Cybersecurity Caucus
Senate Democratic Conference Committee
Senate Democratic Hispanic Task Force
Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee
Senate Diabetes Caucus
Senate Entrepreneurship Caucus
Senate Global Internet Freedom Caucus, Co-Chair
Senate Human Rights Caucus, Co-Chair
Senate Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Caucus, Co-Chair
Senate India Caucus
Senate Law Enforcement Caucus, Co-Chair
Senate Malaria and Neglected Tropical Diseases Caucus, Co-Chair
Senate Manufacturing Caucus
Senate National Guard Caucus
Senate National Institutes of Health Caucus
Senate National Laboratory Caucus
Senate Oceans Caucus
Senate Recycling Caucus
Senate Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Caucus
Senate Small Brewers Caucus
Voices for National Service, Co-Chair

Caught Our Eye

Top lawyer to Sen. Coons heads for pharma giant

Posted by LegiStorm on Dec. 14, 2015
The top lawyer to Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.) has found the cure for the job-hopping itch, leaving the Senate for a government affairs assignment with a pharmaceutical giant. read more
Death by a thousand tweets for resigning Rep. Schock

Posted by Jenna Ebersole on March 23, 2015
As the news kept getting worse for Illinois Republican Rep. Aaron Schock, congressional staffers on both sides of the aisle spent little time mourning on Twitter the fate of a once-rising star. read more
Eight senators yet to file annual personal financial disclosures

Posted by LegiStorm on May 24, 2013
Eight senators have not filed their annual personal financial disclosure reports, despite potential late fees and some with previous histories of prolonging Senate deadlines. read more

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Sen. Chris Coons

Biographical

Family:

Biography:

Miscellaneous Links:

Campaign Links:

Social Networking:

Official Links:

Press Releases

Education

Greek Organizations:

Office History

Election Results

2021 (Nov. 3, 2020 election)

2015 (Nov. 4, 2014 election)

Employment History

Associated Organizations

Awards

Activities and Interests

Official Signature

Contact Information

Privately Financed Travel

Trip Destinations:

Trip Sponsors:

Personal Financial Disclosures

Foreign Gifts

Congressional Staff

Staff Turnover:

Staff Salary Rate:

Staff Salaries Paid:

Committees

Caucuses

Caught Our Eye