Meet Chris
Father. Husband. Delaware’s Senator.
Senator Chris Coons of Delaware has spent his career working to solve some of the biggest challenges confronting Delaware and our country, from creating jobs to lowering costs to protecting our values.
Chris grew up in Hockessin and carries Delaware with him every day in the Senate. He stood up and fought back against Trump’s efforts to slash Medicaid and take affordable health care from thousands of Delawareans. As an appropriator, he has secured millions in major investments in Delaware’s future, from building more affordable housing to protecting our state’s beautiful natural wonders, keeping Delaware a great place to call home.
Accomplishments
Chris’ job is to legislate, and that means getting things done for the people of Delaware.
Secured hundreds of millions to support affordable housing, 21st century jobs and industries in Delaware, and new hospitals.
$35 million for NIIMBL in Newark, fostering biopharmaceutical manufacturing and advanced job creation.
$30 million for Dover Air Force Base to upgrade facilities that provide blood for our troops around the world.
$21 million for REACH Riverside in Wilmington, supporting new, affordable housing.
$10 million for Delaware Hospital for the Chronically Ill in Smyrna.
$3.5 million for the Latin American Community Center in Wilmington.
$2.7 million for the Hope Center in New Castle County, providing critical resources for Delawareans experiencing homelessness.
Passed bipartisan legislation – signed into law by presidents of both parties – which improved access to housing, protected our children online and in their communities from harmful online content and gun violence, strengthened global conservation efforts, and funded critical healthcare research.
The Choice in Affordable Housing Act (2025)
Small Business Innovation Research Reauthorization (2025)
Kids Online Safety Act (2024)
US Foundation for International Conservation Act (2024)
ACT for ALS Act (2022)
NICS Denial Notification Act (2022)
He is a leader in the Senate on issues that matter to Delawareans, from co-chairing the bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus, Law Enforcement Caucus, and Chicken Caucus, to advocating for small businesses as a member of the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee.
Delaware Roots:
Before joining the Senate, Chris spent a decade serving his neighbors in local government in New Castle County. As New Castle County Council President and New Castle County Executive, he earned a reputation for delivering real results on behalf of Delawareans, preserving critical community services while he led the county through challenging economic times due to the 2008-2009 recession.
Prior to serving as County Executive, Chris worked as an attorney for Delaware-based W.L. Gore & Associates, an innovative, science-based manufacturing company, where he helped the company expand, creating more jobs for hard-working Americans. Chris previously worked for the “I Have a Dream” Foundation, helping at-risk youth stay in school, get to college and build their lives, and with the National Coalition for the Homeless.
Chris is a graduate of Amherst College with bachelor’s degrees in chemistry and political science, taking a semester to study abroad at the University of Nairobi in Kenya. He earned a law degree from Yale Law School and a master’s degree in ethics from Yale Divinity School.
Chris lives in Wilmington with his wife, Annie, where they raised their three now-adult children.
Members of the Senate are responsible for introducing and voting on federal legislation, representing their state, and providing a check on executive power. Key powers include confirming presidential appointments, ratifying treaties, serving on committees, shaping the federal budget, and conducting impeachment trials. Each senator serves a six-year term and represents their entire state.