Chris Coons

On November 2, 2010, Chris Coons was elected to the United States Senate in a special election to fill the seat previously held by Vice President Joe Biden. Coons, who was then the New Castle County Executive in Delaware, defeated Republican candidate Christine O'Donnell. His victory kept the Delaware Senate seat in Democratic hands and marked the beginning of his tenure in the Senate, where he became known for his bipartisanship and work on major issues such as judicial nominations and foreign policy.

On May 12, 2011, Chris Coons delivered his first speech on the Senate floor, focusing on job creation and economic recovery efforts. His debut speech highlighted the challenges facing the American economy post-recession and outlined his commitment to policies that would support job growth and economic stability. Coons' emphasis on promoting innovation and supporting small businesses was reflective of his priorities coming into the Senate and set the tone for his subsequent legislative efforts.

On June 27, 2013, Senator Chris Coons voted in favor of the bipartisan immigration reform bill, known as the Border Security, Economic Opportunity, and Immigration Modernization Act. The bill aimed to address various aspects of the immigration system, including providing a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants and strengthening border security. Coons' support for the bill was indicative of his stance on comprehensive immigration reform and his efforts to work across party lines to achieve meaningful legislative outcomes.

On November 4, 2014, Chris Coons was re-elected to the U.S. Senate after defeating Republican candidate Kevin Wade. This victory secured Coons' first full six-year term in office, as he was previously elected in a special election. His campaign focused on his accomplishments in office, including initiatives he led on job creation, innovation, and support for small businesses. Coons was able to leverage his established presence in Delaware politics to solidify his position throughout the state.

On March 3, 2017, Senator Chris Coons was active in opposing efforts by Republicans to repeal the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Coons highlighted the potential negative impact that repealing the ACA would have on Americans, particularly those with pre-existing conditions and those who gained healthcare coverage through the ACA's expansion of Medicaid. His advocacy was part of broader efforts by Democrats to protect the ACA and ensure continued access to healthcare for millions of Americans.

On September 27, 2018, Senator Chris Coons played a notable role during the Supreme Court nomination hearings for Brett Kavanaugh. Coons was vocal in his call for an FBI investigation into the allegations of sexual assault made by Christine Blasey Ford against Kavanaugh, emphasizing the need for a fair and thorough review. His push for investigation highlighted the contentious nature of the confirmation process, drawing national attention to the standards for vetting judicial nominees and the Senate's role in ensuring integrity in the process.

On April 4, 2019, Chris Coons joined the Senate Bipartisan Climate Solutions Caucus, an initiative aimed at addressing climate change through collaborative and innovative approaches. The caucus sought to bring together senators from both parties to develop effective environmental policies, recognizing the urgent need for action in combatting climate impacts. Coons' involvement underscored his long-standing commitment to environmental issues and efforts to work across the aisle to ensure sustainable and practical solutions.

On February 5, 2020, Chris Coons was one of the Democratic Senators who voted to convict President Donald Trump during his first impeachment trial. The trial focused on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress related to Trump's interactions with Ukraine. Coons' vote represented the Democratic position that Trump's actions warranted removal from office. Although Trump was acquitted by the Senate, Coons' stance was part of the broader Democratic effort to hold the President accountable for his actions.

On November 3, 2020, Chris Coons was re-elected to a third term in the U.S. Senate, after defeating Republican candidate Lauren Witzke. The race received significant attention given Delaware's political importance and Coons' role as a key ally of President-elect Joe Biden. Coons campaigned on his experience and record, which included advocacy for bipartisan solutions, health care reforms, and foreign policy expertise, further cementing his standing as a prominent Democratic figure.

On January 6, 2021, as a member of the United States Senate, Chris Coons was present during the certification of the Electoral College results when a mob stormed the U.S. Capitol. Coons was instrumental in efforts to resume the count, emphasizing the importance of upholding the democratic process in light of the violent attempt to disrupt it. His leadership during the crisis was noted as part of the broader effort to reaffirm the results of the 2020 Presidential election, which ultimately certified Joe Biden as the President-elect.