Memo: Primary Warning Signs for Chris Coons
By
Data for Progress
Executive Summary:
Data for Progress conducted a poll from November 15 through 25, 2019, in the state of Delaware, to assess the upcoming Democratic primary race for Chris Coons’s Senate seat. Senator Coons has been serving as the Junior Senator from Delaware since 2010. The primary election in Delaware is separate from the state’s presidential primary, and will occur in September 2020. Despite Hillary Clinton winning Delaware by over 10 points, Senator Coons currently sits as the eleventh-most-likely Democrat to vote with the president, according to FiveThirtyEight’s tally of support for President Trump’s policies.
Before Delaware Democratic primary voters were shown arguments for and against Senator Chris Coons, he polls behind a generic more liberal, female challenger in his primary by four percentage points. When shown arguments against him, that number grows to 21 points.
When shown arguments against and for Coons, his favorability rating changes from +38 to -10 points and +14 points, respectively, which suggests that voters’ minds are fluid about supporting Coons.
Young Delaware Democratic primary voters (those between the ages of eighteen and thirty-four) were especially responsive to progressive policy ideas. When made aware of his centrist voting record, they were much more likely not to support Coons.
Delaware Democratic primary voters voters support democracy reforms such as expanding the Supreme Court (+22) and ending the filibuster (+12).
Delaware Democratic primary voters also support the Green New Deal (40 percent net support).
