DOVER — The congressional race between two Democrats is less than a week old and already Sen. Bryan Townsend, D-Newark, and Rep. Bryon Short, D-Arden, have gained support from fellow lawmakers.

The two men are vying to replace Rep. John Carney, D-Del., who announced he is running for governor.

Sen. Townsend announced his candidacy Sept. 17 and Rep. Short revealed his intentions last Thursday.

Rep. Short’s campaign announced Tuesday he has the backing of 13 members of the Delaware House of Representatives, including leadership.

Sen. Townsend revealed on his Facebook page last week he has been endorsed by Sen. Karen Peterson, D-Stanton.

The full list of House Democrats backing Rep. Short is as follows: Speaker of the House Pete Schwartzkopf, Rehoboth Beach; Majority Leader Rep. Valerie Longhurst, Bear; Majority Whip Rep. John Viola, Newark; Rep. Gerald Brady, Wilmington; Rep. Melanie George Smith, Bear; Rep. Debra Heffernan, Edgemoor; Rep. Quinn Johnson, Middletown; Rep. Sean Matthews, Talleyville; Rep. John Kowalko, Newark; Rep. Earl Jaques, Glasgow; Rep. William Carson, Smyrna; Rep. Trey Paradee, Cheswold; and Rep. Sean Lynn, Dover.

“Bryon Short is not afraid to go against the tide, to fight for what he believes in,” Rep. Kowalko said in a statement.

“Bryon is always willing to listen and learn, which is a rare quality we need in Washington. As a progressive, I know that Bryon Short will fight hard for our priorities.”

Sen Peterson was just as flattering to Sen. Townsend.

“An unfailing pursuit of social justice and economic fairness has defined Bryan Townsend’s work in the state Senate and has led to real reforms that have benefited the most vulnerable and marginalized Delawareans,” Sen. Peterson said in a statement posted to Sen. Townsend’s Facebook page.

Sen. Townsend does not have to give up his seat, while Rep. Short, who is the more moderate of the two, does. Rep. Short was first elected in 2007 and Sen. Townsend in 2012.

“I don’t think Delaware can go wrong with either one of them,” President Pro Tempore Patricia Blevins, D-Elsmere, said earlier this month.