Chris Coons

Chris Coons
United States Senator
from Delaware
Incumbent
Assumed office
November 15, 2010
Serving with Tom Carper
Preceded by Ted Kaufman
County Executive of New Castle County
In office
January 4, 2005 – November 15, 2010
Preceded by Thomas Gordon
Succeeded by Paul Clark
President of the New Castle County Council
In office
January 2, 2001 – January 4, 2005
Preceded by Stephanie Hansen
Succeeded by Paul Clark
Personal details
Born Christopher Andrew Coons
September 9, 1963
Greenwich, Connecticut, U.S.
Political party Democratic
Spouse(s) Annie Lingenfelter
Children Michael
Jack
Maggie
Alma mater Amherst College (B.A.)
Yale University (M.A., J.D.)
Religion Presbyterianism[1]
Website Senate website

Christopher Andrew "Chris" Coons (born September 9, 1963) is the junior United States Senator from Delaware and a member of the Democratic Party. He won a special election in 2010 to succeed Ted Kaufman, who had been appointed to the seat when Joe Biden resigned to become Vice President. Previously, Coons was the county executive of New Castle County. Coons is the 1983 Truman Scholar from Delaware, and the first recipient of the award to serve in the United States Senate.

A native of Hockessin, Delaware, Coons graduated from Amherst College and received graduate degrees from Yale Divinity School and Yale Law School. He went to work as a volunteer relief worker in Kenya, where he had taken classes in the University of Nairobi, later returning to the U.S. to work for the Coalition for the Homeless in New York. He spent some time as a legal clerk in New York before returning to Delaware in 1996, where he spent eight years as in-house counsel for a materials manufacturing company. In the interim he worked for several nonprofit organizations.

He worked on several political campaigns in his early career, including Ronald Reagan's 1980 presidential campaign. In college he switched from being a Republican to a Democrat, and in 1996 he became a delegate from Wilmington to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. His political career began in earnest on the New Castle County Council in 2000, where he served as council president. He was elected county executive in 2004 and served for six years. There he balanced the county budget with a surplus in fiscal year 2010 by cutting spending and raising taxes, and the county maintained a AAA bond rating.

Coons won the 2010 special election against the Republican candidate Christine O'Donnell for the U.S. Senate seat then held by Ted Kaufman, who was appointed after Joe Biden resigned. Coons was elected to a full term in 2014 and serves on the Appropriations, Budget, Foreign Relations and Judiciary committees, chairing the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on African Affairs and the Judiciary Subcommittee on Bankruptcy and the Courts.

Early life and education

Coons was born in Greenwich, Connecticut, the son of Sarah Louise "Sally" (née Ives) and Kenelm Winslow "Ken" Coons. His ancestry includes English and Irish.[2] Coons grew up in Hockessin, Delaware. He graduated from the Tower Hill School and then Amherst College in 1985 with a B.A. in chemistry and political science. In 1983, Chris Coons was awarded the Truman Scholarship. During his junior year of college, Coons studied abroad at the University of Nairobi in Kenya. He earned a M.A.R. from Yale Divinity School and a J.D. from Yale Law School.[3]

Professional career

After college, Coons worked in Washington, D.C., for the Investor Responsibility Research Center, where he wrote a book on South Africa and the U.S. divestment movement. He then worked as a volunteer for the South African Council of Churches and as a relief worker in Kenya, before returning to the U.S. to work for the Coalition for the Homeless in New York. In 1992, he earned a J.D. degree from Yale Law School, and a master's degree in ethics from Yale Divinity School.[4]

Coons clerked for Judge Jane Richards Roth on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and then worked for the National "I Have a Dream" Foundation in New York.[5] After returning to Delaware in 1996, Coons began his eight-year career as in-house counsel for W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc., Newark, Delaware-based makers of Gore-Tex fabrics and other high-tech materials. There he was responsible for the ethics training program, federal government relations, e-commerce legal work, and for general commercial contracting.[6]

He has also worked with several nonprofits, including the Council for the Homeless, the education-oriented “I Have a Dream” Foundation of Delaware, and the South African Council of Churches, and serves on several boards including First State Innovation, the Bear/Glasgow Boys & Girls Club, and the Delaware College of Art & Design.

Coons is on the Board of Selectors of Jefferson Awards for Public Service.[7]

Early political career

Coons first became involved in politics working on behalf of Republican politicians, first for Ronald Reagan's presidential campaign in 1980 and then for Bill Roth's Senate campaign in 1982.[8] During college, he switched from being a Republican to a Democrat and in 1988, Coons worked as a volunteer for the Senate campaign of Democratic Delaware Lt. Gov. Shien Biau Woo.[5] He was a delegate from Wilmington to the 1996 Democratic National Convention in Chicago.

His first elected office was president of the New Castle County Council, elected in 2000 and serving four years before being elected county executive in 2004. He was the endorsed candidate of the New Castle County Democratic Party in 2008, and was re-nominated by the party on September 9, 2008. Coons was re-elected on November 4, 2008, unopposed in the general election. In his six years in office as county executive, Coons balanced the budget with a surplus in fiscal year 2010 by cutting spending and raising taxes.[9] As New Castle county executive, Coons raised taxes despite having campaigned on a promise not to increase them.[10] New Castle County maintained a AAA bond rating throughout his tenure.[11]

U.S. Senate

2010 election

Coons on the campaign trail

Coons ran in the 2010 special election for the U.S. Senate seat then held by Ted Kaufman, who was appointed after Joe Biden resigned.[12] He was initially set to face Republican Congressman and former Governor Mike Castle in the general election. Coons was initially a decided underdog in part due to Castle's moderate profile and longstanding popularity in the state. However, the dynamics of the race were significantly altered when Christine O'Donnell, a considerably more conservative Republican who had been Biden's opponent in 2008, upset Castle in the Republican primary.

In the first post-primary polls, Rasmussen Reports showed Coons with a double-digit lead over O'Donnell, describing this as a "remarkable turnaround" given that the race had leaned Republican before O'Donnell's primary victory.[13] In the first week of October, Fairleigh Dickinson University's PublicMind Poll released the results of its research, showing Coons with a 17-point lead, 53%-36%, over O'Donnell, and pointing out that 85% of self-identified Democratic voters had united behind Coons, while only 68% of Republican voters endorsed O'Donnell.[14] Days before the election, a second Fairleigh Dickinson poll showed Coons leading 57% to 36% among likely voters, and leading 72% to 20% among voters who described themselves as moderates.[15] As polls closed at 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, multiple news sources announced that Coons had defeated O'Donnell based on exit poll data. Final results gave Coons close to a 17-point margin over O'Donnell, capturing 56.6% of the vote to her 40%.[16]

During the campaign, a controversy arose surrounding an article Coons wrote in 1985 for his college newspaper, entitled "Chris Coons: The Making of a Bearded Marxist".[17] In it, he describes his transformation from a Republican to what Fox News described as a "Democrat suspicious of America's power and ideals."[18] Dave Hoffman, a Coons campaign spokesman, said the title of the article was designed as a humorous take-off on a joke Coons' college friends had made about how his time outside the country had affected his outlook. "After witnessing crushing poverty and the consequences of the Reagan Administration's 'constructive engagement' with the South African apartheid regime, he rethought his political views, returned to the America he loved and proudly registered as a Democrat," Hoffman said in a statement to Politico.[19]

According to Fox News, Coons was "targeted by Republicans" over the 25-year-old piece. Coons himself downplayed the article, as well as controversial past statements by O'Donnell, saying that voters were interested in current issues such as job creation and the national debt and were not "particularly interested in statements that either of us made 20 or 30 years ago."[18] David Weigel, writing in Slate, opined: "If the Tea Party Express slings the 'bearded Marxist' nonsense, I doubt it will work."[20]

2014 election

Coons successfully won re-election to a first full term in 2014.[21]

Tenure

Senator Coons holding a press conference

Coons was sworn in-as on November 15, 2010, by Vice President Joe Biden, the former occupant of Coons' seat in the Senate. Joe Manchin of West Virginia was sworn in on the same day, though he took an advantage in seniority over Coons, as the former Governor of West Virginia.

The Affordable Care Act (commonly called Obamacare) had already been passed when Coons took office, but he has voted against repealing it, emphasizing that seniors in Delaware would have to pay higher prescription drug prices if it was repealed.[22] On the issue of abortion, Coons has received a 100% rating from the Planned Parenthood Action Fund and 0% rating from the National Right to Life Committee.[23][24]

In June 2013, after the death of Democratic Senator Frank Lautenberg of New Jersey, Coons was appointed to his seat on the influential Committee on Appropriations, becoming the first Senator from Delaware to serve on the Committee in 40 years. As a result, Coons gave up his seat on the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.[25][26][27]

In October 2013, Coons announced the formation of the inaugural Senate Chicken Caucus in the United States Senate. He stated, "I hope that the Senate Chicken Caucus will give America’s chicken producers a platform to better inform legislators about the industry’s vital contributions to our economy, and promote policy solutions that help their businesses grow and thrive."[28]

On December 11, 2013, Coons introduced the Victims of Child Abuse Act Reauthorization Act of 2013 (S. 1799; 113th Congress), a bill that would reauthorize the Victims of Child Abuse Act of 1990 and would authorize funding through 2018 to help child abuse victims.[29] Coons said that "we have a responsibility to protect our children from violence and abuse."[29]

In March 2014, Coons voted against President Obama's nomination of civil rights lawyer Debo Adegbile to be Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, even though he believed that Adegbile would have been "an asset to the Justice Department." He stated that voting for a nominee "who would face such visceral opposition from law enforcement on his first day on the job" was troubling and the vote was "one of the most difficult I have taken since joining the Senate".[30] President Obama described the Senate's vote against Adegbile as "a travesty based on wildly unfair character attacks against a good and qualified public servant."[31] An open letter to Coons from students, faculty and alumni of the Yale Law and Divinity Schools, of which Coons is an alumnus, criticized his vote as "alarm[ing]" and "signal[ing] a lack of respect for the fundamental American legal principle that all parties have a right to zealous representation."[32]

Committee assignments

Previous (2010–2013)

Source: United States Senate[33]

Caucus memberships

Senate Oceans Caucus

Electoral history

Year Office Election Candidate Party Votes % Opponent Party Votes %
2000 County Council Primary Christopher A. Coons Democratic 7,520 48% Vincent D'Anna
Martha Denison
Dwight L. Davis		 Democratic 3,220
2,414
2,370		 21%
16%
15%
2000 County Council General Christopher A. Coons Democratic 113,050 56% Michael Ramone Republican 87,462 44%
2004 County Executive Primary Christopher A. Coons Democratic 17,584 67% Sherry Freebery
Richard Korn		 Democratic 4,702
4,130		 18%
15%
2004 County Executive General Christopher A. Coons Democratic 131,397 58% Christopher Castagno Republican 93,424 42%
2008 County Executive General Christopher A. Coons Democratic 194,005 100%
2010 United States Senate General Christopher A. Coons Democratic 173,900 56.6% Christine O'Donnell Republican 123,025 40%
2014 United States Senate General Christopher A. Coons Democratic 130,645 55.8% Kevin Wade Republican 98,819 42.2%

Personal life

Coons is married to the former Annie Lingenfelter.[34] They have three children: Mike, Maggie and Jack. They live in Wilmington, Delaware. Although Coons is Presbyterian, his wife is Catholic, and they attend St. Ann's Catholic Church in Wilmington. Coons describes himself as "someone who is, privately, fairly religious," though he has never thought "that needs to be a big part of [campaigning]."[1]

In 1999, he was awarded the Governor's Outstanding Volunteer Award for his work with the "I Have a Dream" Foundation, the Governor's Mentoring Council, and the United Way of Delaware.[6]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Brown, Elizabeth (October 29, 2010). "What Is Christopher Coons' Religion?". Politics Daily. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Chris Coons ancestry". Freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com. Retrieved October 8, 2012.
  3. ↑ "Meet Chris Coons". Chris Coons for U.S. Senate. Retrieved September 17, 2010. (campaign web site biography)
  4. ↑ Yearick, Bob (June 15, 2010). "Castle vs. Coons". Delaware Today. Retrieved September 16, 2010.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Chris Coons: Delaware's surprise favorite". CNN. September 15, 2010. Retrieved September 16, 2010.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Rodel Foundation Delaware : About". Retrieved November 5, 2010.
  7. ↑ "Board | youth community | service award". Jefferson Awards. Retrieved August 8, 2013.
  8. ↑ Chase, Randall. (September 23, 2010) O'Donnell foe's career marked by political shift. Associated Press.
  9. ↑ "Coons for Senate ad claims he balanced county budget as NCCo executive". Wilmington News Journal. September 24, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
  10. ↑ "Chris Coons". National Journal. Retrieved 14 August 2014.
  11. ↑ "Fitch Rates New Castle County, DE GOs 'AAA'; Outlook Stable". Business Wire. Forbes. September 9, 2010. Retrieved September 29, 2010.
  12. ↑ Chadderdon, Jesse (February 3, 2010). "Coons to challenge Castle for Senate seat". Community News.
  13. ↑ "Election 2010: Delaware Senate". Rasmussen Reports. September 16, 2010. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
  14. ↑ "Poll shows O'Donnell trailing in Del. Senate race". Huffington Post. October 6, 2010.
  15. ↑ "Delaware Senate poll: Chris Coons' wide lead over Christine O'Donnell grows". News Journal. Wilmington, DE. October 28, 2010.
  16. ↑ "2010 Delaware Senate Race". RealClearPolitics. Retrieved August 8, 2011.
  17. ↑ "Chris Coons: The Making of a Bearded Marxist" (PDF). The Amherst Student. May 23, 1985.
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 "46 Days to Decide: Dem Candidate Coons Comes Under Scrutiny in Delaware Senate Race". Fox News. September 17, 2010. Retrieved September 21, 2010.
  19. ↑ Isenstadt, Alex (May 4, 2010). "Coons took 'bearded Marxist' turn". Politico.
  20. ↑ Weigel, David (September 17, 2010). "Chris Coons on the Air". Slate. Retrieved September 22, 2010.
  21. ↑ Charles Mahtesian (November 27, 2012). "Coons: Not taking any chances in 2014". Politico. Retrieved December 3, 2012.
  22. ↑ Coons, Chris (February 2, 2011). "Senator Coons Statement on Attempted Repeal of Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act". votesmart.org. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  23. ↑ "Rating Group: Planned Parenthood Action Fund". votesmart.org. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  24. ↑ "Rating Group: National Right to Life Committee". votesmart.org. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  25. ↑ Lesniewski, Niels (June 20, 2013). "Coons Gets Lautenberg’s Appropriations Slot". Roll Call.
  26. ↑ "Chris Coons named to Senate Appropriations Committee". Delaware Online. June 21, 2013.
  27. ↑ Needham, Vicki (June 20, 2013). "Coons lands coveted slot on Appropriations panel". The Hill.
  28. ↑ "Delaware Senator Chris Coons Announces Formation of US Senate Chicken Caucus; Georgia Senator Johnny Isakson to Co-chair" (Press release). National Chicken Council. October 4, 2013.
  29. ↑ 29.0 29.1 Cox, Ramsey (30 June 2014). "Senate passes bill to protect children from abuse". The Hill. Retrieved 28 July 2014.
  30. ↑ Reilly, Ryan J. (March 5, 2014). "Chris Coons, Up For Reelection, Caves To Pressure On Civil Rights Nominee". Huffington Post.
  31. ↑ Lowery, Wesley (March 5, 2014). "Senate rejects Obama appointment of Debo Adegbile to top civil rights post". The Washington Post. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
  32. ↑ "An open letter to Senator Chris Coons from students, faculty and alumni of the Yale Law and Divinity Schools".
  33. ↑ Erickson, Nancy, ed. (2011). Committee and Subcommittee Assignments for the One Hundred Twelfth Congress (PDF). United States Government Printing Office.
  34. ↑ Darling, Cynthia (October 4, 2010). "Is Christopher Coons Married?". Politics Daily.

External links

Political offices
Preceded by
Stephanie Hansen		 President of the New Castle County Council
2001–2005 		Succeeded by
Paul Clark
Preceded by
Thomas Gordon		 County Executive of New Castle County
2005–2010
Party political offices
Preceded by
Joe Biden		 Democratic nominee for U.S. Senator from Delaware
(Class 2)
2010, 2014 		Most recent
United States Senate
Preceded by
Ted Kaufman		 United States Senator (Class 2) from Delaware
2010–present
Served alongside: Tom Carper		 Incumbent
United States order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by
Joe Manchin		 United States Senators by seniority
56th 		Succeeded by
Mark Kirk