Progressive Democrat to challenge Chris Coons in Delaware U.S. Senate Primary

Jessica Scarane, a self-desribed progressive who wants to bring big change to Washington D.C., is challenging Senator Chris Coons for his U.S. Senate seat in the 2020 primary election.

Scarane appeared on WGMD News Wednesday morning where she laid out her progressive platform that includes universal healthcare, economic justice, combating climate change, and education reform.

“My platform is focused on putting people over profits,” Scarane said after agreeing that she is in fact a progressive. “The reason I want to do that is because I want to build a country that works for all of us and guarantees all of us a dignified standard of living, so if that’s what’s considered progressive I’m fine with that label.”

Among the items supported in Scaranes platform include support for the Green New Deal and a $15 federal minimum wage.

When asked about her Democratic opponent, incumbent Chris Coons, Scarane said she has been vocally critical of his “comprise with Republicans.”

“You’ll probably hear me criticize Chris Coons for comprimising with Republicans at the expense of Delawareans,” Scarane explained. “What I think is important, and what I really focus on in that statement, is not necessarily the comprimise with Republicans, that’s not the inherent problem, the problem is when he’s doing that at the expense of Delawareans.”

Scarane cited an example of what she was referring to by claiming Senator Coons received over $100,000 from pharmaceutical companies and then voted in favor of legislation to undo years of patent law; however, she did not specify who the contribution was from or what the legislation was.

WGMD News reached out to the Coons Campaign who was initially unaware of the claims and what Scarane was referring to.

The Coons Campaign later issued the following statement which did not directly address the claims brought forth by Scarane:

“Chris is a leading voice in the Senate to bring down out-of-control prescription drug costs, and he’s been working to improve our patent system since his first days in the Senate in 2010,” a campaign official wrote. “He’s worked extensively with other Democrats to reform our patent system in order to lower prescription drug costs. Chris and his campaign are going to focus on issues that matter to Delawareans who want their elected officials to just tell the truth, work hard, and get things done.”