Coons, Christopher A.

Christopher Coons is Delaware's senior United States senator and chair of the Senate Select Committee on Ethics, a role he has held since 2021. The Ethics Committee investigates allegations of misconduct by senators and staff, enforces Senate rules and standards, and plays a critical oversight function in maintaining institutional integrity. As chair, Coons controls the committee's agenda and determines which complaints receive investigation, giving him significant power over how the chamber polices itself.

Coons brings substantial legal and ethical expertise to this role. He holds a law degree from Yale Law School and a master's degree in ethics from Yale Divinity School, and he previously clerked for a federal appeals court judge. His professional background spans nonprofit work focused on social justice, including roles with organizations addressing homelessness and civil rights, as well as eight years as in-house counsel at a major Delaware manufacturing company where he oversaw ethics training programs. Before entering the Senate in 2010, he served as New Castle County executive, where he managed fiscal discipline while maintaining the county's AAA bond rating.

Beyond his ethics role, Coons serves on several major committees including Appropriations, Foreign Relations, and Judiciary, reflecting his broad legislative interests. He is known for bipartisan outreach and was described by the New York Times as an effective emissary between the Biden administration and Republican lawmakers. He co-chairs the Senate Prayer Breakfast and has been active in international development and foreign policy, particularly regarding Africa. With the retirement of Tom Carper in January 2025, Coons became Delaware's senior senator and dean of the state's congressional delegation.