Christopher Coons — Democrat Candidate for U.S. Senate in Delaware, 2026

Senator Christopher Coons advocates for comprehensive immigration reform and opposed Trump administration policies such as the Muslim ban and efforts to end DACA. He authored the NO BAN Act to repeal the ban on families entering based on religion and co-introduced the ICE Accountability Act to create an independent watchdog for federal immigration enforcement agencies. He pledged to continue pushing for reforms to ensure more accountable and transparent immigration enforcement practices.

“The continuing resolution for the Department of Homeland Security is not the end of our work to stop the abusive and violent actions of ICE and CBP agents over the last year; it is the beginning. Because of the immense pressure those in Minnesota and across the country have brought to bear, Republicans and the White House will have to negotiate on commonsense reforms to rein in unaccountable and out-of-control ICE agents. I will spend the next two weeks pushing my colleagues in Congress to enact meaningful reforms that put strong guardrails around DHS and its agents and bring them in line with what we expect from every other law enforcement agency in the country. This is the first step towards more accountable, transparent immigration enforcement and a safer nation.” — Senator Chris Coons, Statement on vote to pass appropriations package”

Senator Christopher Coons advocates for the affordability and access to healthcare coverage, stating he would vote to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax credits for three years to sustain these. He supported provisions within appropriation bills that protected funding for medical research, education programs, the CDC, and the NIH, emphasizing investments in affordable healthcare. Additionally, he co-introduced the bipartisan Medicare Advance Planning (MAP) for Care Act to help individuals create electronic advance directives for medical care decisions.

““Every American deserves to make their own decisions about their medical care. If the unthinkable happens and you are unable to make a decision, an advance directive can make sure your medical care proceeds in line with your wishes. Communicating these wishes in advance helps doctors, patients, and families work together in the most difficult moments.” (Senator Coons, "Senators Coons, Cassidy introduce bipartisan, bicameral bill to help Americans plan for life-changing illnesses", January 6, 2026)”

Senator Coons is dedicated to establishing Delaware as a center for clean energy technology, aiming to create jobs, reduce costs, and cut emissions. He emphasizes the responsibility to protect the planet for future generations by mitigating climate change. He works to secure federal funding for initiatives like solar, wind, and hydrogen power, and to support clean air, water, and coastal preservation.

Senator Christopher Coons supports reproductive rights, advocating for access to abortion, birth control, and fertility treatments. He voted "yea" on cloture motions for the Reproductive Freedom for Women Act and the Right to IVF Act in 2024. Coons also opposed efforts to cut Planned Parenthood funding, opposed the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, and voted against legislation to reverse the Biden administration’s VA abortion care rule. He states his position is based on ensuring women can make decisions best for their families and health, and to achieve gender equality.

“I will not stop fighting for equality until it’s guaranteed in every way, in every state, for all Americans. — Senator Coons, coons.senate.gov/issues/womens-rights/”

Senator Christopher Coons opposes U.S. military strikes on Iran, citing concerns over potential escalation and a lack of clear strategy. He supports a resolution to limit presidential war powers, emphasizing diplomacy and the constitutional role of the Senate in such decisions. Coons also advocates for rebuilding trust with European allies, strengthening the transatlantic partnership, and increasing joint investment in security and AI initiatives.

“CHRIS COONS: I think it's important that we rein in President Trump. He has failed to make the case to the American people, to explain why this war of choice had to be launched now. And, frankly, it's a constitutional role for the Senate. To be clear, I do recognize that the Iranian regime is brutal, has supported terrorism, has massacred thousands of their own people and has the blood of Americans over many decades on its hands. I will not mourn the passing of Ayatollah Khamenei. But that's no reason that right now we needed to launch a broad-spectrum war that is engulfing the Middle East, that will cost billions and billions of dollars and has so far tragically cost the lives of six brave American service members who've already fallen in this conflict. (Senator Chris Coons, D-Del., interviewed by A Martínez, cfpublic.org, keranews.org, npr.org, March 3, 2026)”

Christopher Coons advocates that every student deserves a quality public education as a fundamental right, emphasizing the need for a stronger educational foundation. He supported restoring critical education programs and opposed presidential proposals to cut them as part of an appropriations package. Coons has expressed support for the "Race to the Top" initiative for school improvements and the "I Have a Dream Foundation" for private funding for public college, while also opposing less federal or more local control of education.

““Everybody deserves safe, sanitary, decent housing; a basic, solid education; the fundamentals of health care; the opportunity to work hard and to save for your future and to advance your kids’ possibilities. High ceiling, but strong floor. And we need a stronger floor.” – Senator Coons, Excerpts: Senator Coons Lays Out Positive Policy Vision for the Democratic Party as Featured Speaker at Georgetown University’s Whittington Lecture.”

Christopher Coons supports gun control measures, including red flag laws, and has worked to strengthen the National Instant Criminal Background Check System. He voted "Yea" on the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act of 2022. His position aims to prevent gun violence by making it harder for individuals who pose a threat to access weapons and by enhancing school safety and mental health services.

“We have to make it harder for individuals to get access to weapons who have demonstrated the capacity, or the potential, to use them to harm themselves and their families. And we have to do more to address gun violence. Every week in my hometown, and in home cities, and communities all over this country, gun violence takes lives in communities of all types and all backgrounds and we cannot become numb to this. - Christopher Coons, statement via his office to PBS NewsHour”