Eugene Young

delaware.gov

Gov. John Carney

delaware.gov

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By Joseph Edelen

DOVER — Gov. John Carney has officially endorsed former Delaware State Housing Authority Director Eugene Young for U.S. Congress, the candidate’s campaign announced Wednesday.

As Delaware’s lone congressman in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2017 prior to his tenure as chief executive of the First State, Gov. Carney said he got to work closely with Mr. Young while he served as a cabinet member and is proud to endorse him as the state’s next congressman.

“Having served as a member of Congress myself, I know Eugene is the type of leader we need - someone who will roll up his sleeves and work together to find real solutions for the people of Delaware,” Gov. Carney said in a statement.

“As director of the Delaware State Housing Authority, he led the charge to help more families access affordable housing and implemented programs to help Delawareans become homeowners.

“He’s also been instrumental in community redevelopment efforts up and down our state - from Wilmington, to Dover, to Seaford. Eugene has the skills, judgment and commitment to service necessary to represent Delawareans well in Congress.”

Mr. Young announced his departure from the Delaware State Housing Authority on Feb. 8 while delivering the agency’s fiscal year 2025 budget requests to members of the Joint Finance Committee.

After being nominated by the governor and confirmed by the Senate in 2021, Mr. Young worked to provide widespread housing solutions in the First State, including overseeing an investment of more than $100 million in affordable housing initiatives this year – the largest housing expenditure in state history.

The congressional candidate’s departure was effective earlier this month, and on March 11, Mr. Young explained the move, stating it will allow him to “wholly focus on my campaign to serve all of Delaware as their representative in Congress.”

Following the governor’s extension of support for the campaign, Mr. Young said he was “humbled” to receive Gov. Carney’s endorsement.

“Growing up on the east side of Wilmington, I would have never envisioned that one day I would serve in the governor’s cabinet, let alone receive his endorsement for my candidacy for U.S. Congress,” Mr. Young said in a statement. “I am campaigning to improve the lives of all communities from Claymont to Selbyville by standing tall to make housing, health care and the cost of living affordable for all Delawareans.”

Ahead of the Sept. 10 Democratic primary election, Mr. Young is one of two candidates to file, alongside state Sen. Sarah McBride, D-Wilmington.

The senator has had an early fundraising lead over the former cabinet member, as Sen. McBride’s campaign ended 2023 with approximately $850,000 on hand.

After launching his congressional bid last July, Mr. Young finished last year with approximately $200,000 in campaign monies.

Gov. Carney’s endorsement marks the first statewide elected official to publicly support Mr. Young’s campaign.

Following the launch of Sen. McBride’s campaign last June, she has received endorsements from officials like state Treasurer Colleen Davis, Attorney General Kathy Jennings, Insurance Commissioner Trinidad Navarro and state Auditor Lydia York.

The lone Republican to declare for the congressional race is Dover-based veteran and businessperson Donyale Hall.

All three candidates are running for the seat being vacated by Democratic Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester, as she pursues the office of retiring U.S. Sen. Tom Carper.

Department of Elections