Coons to challenge Castle for Senate seat

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New Castle County Executive Chris Coons made it official today: He’s challenging Congressman Mike Castle for the open U.S. Senate seat long held by Vice President Joe Biden.

Local and national Democrats had long expected Biden’s son Beau, Delaware’s attorney general, to seek the seat in the November special election. But nine days ago, Beau Biden surprised supporters by announcing he would not run for Senate, and would instead seek a second term as attorney general.

Speculation immediately centered on Coons, who is in the middle of his second term and cannot seek re-election. Coons said he was seriously considering a run, and today announced he filed papers with the Federal Elections Commission to run for the Senate.

“People here in Delaware are hurting, and Congress has failed to deliver the change we voted for in 2008. I’m running to bring new energy and a new approach to Washington," Coons said in a news release.

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20100203/NEWS02/100203018/Coons-to-challenge-Castle-for-Senate-seat