Coons considers run for Delaware U.S. Senate Seat

    New Castle County Executive Chris Coons says he’s considering a run for Delaware’s open senate seat.

    New Castle County Executive Chris Coons says he has a lot to think about over the next few days.

    “I am seriously considering a run for the open U.S. Senate seat in Delaware,” Coons said.

    How long has he been thinking about a senatorial campaign?  “About 48 hours,” Coons said.

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    Coons says the idea of challenging Republican U.S. Representative Mike Castle for the seat held by Joe Biden for 36 years, started with a phone call Sunday from the vice president’s son, Beau Biden.

    “The Attorney General said I’ve given your name to the Delaware Senatorial Committee and I hope you’ll consider running,”  Coons said.

    After much anticipation and speculation that he’d run for his father’s former seat in the 2010 election, Attorney General Beau Biden announced Monday he would not run.  He cited the mounting case of alleged pedophile Dr. Earl Bradley of Lewes as a factor in his decision.  Biden had also just returned to the office in October 2009 after serving for a year in Iraq with his Delaware National Guard Unit.

    Biden says he will seek a second term as Delaware’s Attorney General in the 2010 election.

    “I respect the attorney general and his decision and now I need to make mine,” Coons said.

    Coons was first elected New Castle County Executive in 2004, and reelected in 2008.  The office has a limit of two, 4-year terms.  

    Prior to holding the county’s top post, Coons served as New Castle County Council President for four years.  He also served as legal counsel for W.L. Gore & Associates for 8 years. 

    “I have received many calls from the community urging me to run,” Coons said.  “I believe having a senator who’s used to working day in and day out helping to create jobs at businesses, and managing a county budget are important skills and I would like to bring that to Washington.”

    Ted Kaufman, who was appointed to fill the seat when Joe Biden was elected Vice President has long said he would not run for the job in November 2010, and re-emphasized that decision this week.

    “I need to spend time with my family and those closest to me talking about this.  I expect to make a decision in a few days, no later than next week,” Coons said.

    Right now, the only announced candidate is on the republican side.  Congressman Mike Castle declared his desire to run for the seat in October.  What do likely voters think of a possible Coons-Castle matchup?  Not much today.  A Rassmussen report  poll taken Tuesday show Castle winning 56% to 27%.  A Rassmussen survey in October showed Castle winning a match up with Attorney General Beau Biden 47% to 42%.

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