Former Delaware housing authority director suspends congressional campaign pursuit

Former Delaware State Housing Authority Director Eugene Young on Wednesday announced he is suspending his congressional campaign.

Young, endorsed by Delaware Gov. John Carney for the seat in March, had yet to file his candidacy with the state Department of Elections.

The suspension of Young’s campaign for Delaware’s U.S. House of Representatives seat leaves state Sen. Sarah McBride as the sole candidate for the office. While Republican contender Donyale Hall expressed interest in running for the seat, she has not filed for candidacy as of June 12, 2024.

“After much reflection and consideration, my family and I made the difficult decision to suspend my campaign for the U.S. Congressional Democratic Primary race in Delaware,” Young said in an email to campaign supporters Wednesday.

Young thanked his supporters for their “incredible dedication” over the past 11 months as his campaign made calls, knocked on doors, attended community gatherings and met Delawareans.

GOVERNOR SUPPORT: Gov. John Carney endorses former housing authority director Eugene Young for Congress

“While this may be the end of my campaign, it is by no means the end of our shared mission,” he said. “The values we fought for – equality, fairness, and opportunity – are as important now as they have ever been.”  Current Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester is running for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Sen. Tom Carper, who decided not to run for reelection, opening the U.S. representative seat.

McBride issued a statement on her Facebook page lauding Young for the work he's done to empower and uplift others in Delaware.

"Over the last year, my respect for Eugene has only grown. He’s run a positive campaign focused on the most important issues facing Delawareans: affordable housing and health care, good-paying jobs, and livable communities where all our families and neighbors can thrive," she said. "I know the story of Eugene’s contributions to our state is only just beginning."

Changing candidates for US House

As with any political campaign, contenders for Delaware's congressional seat have evolved for months. The deadline for candidates to file for office with the state Department of Elections is noon on July 9.

McBride clinched state Treasurer Colleen Davis’ support after Davis ended her campaign for the seat in February due to personal health concerns and the need to care for her father during his ongoing illness.

Should Hall file for candidacy before the July deadline, it would set up a general election challenge with McBride in November. Hall, a veteran who has run for political office before, has said she intends to run as a Republican.

CAMPAIGN FINANCES: How much have Delaware candidates raised and spent so far in races for US House, Senate?

McBride has far outpaced her challengers in garnering donations to her campaign. According to her campaign in late May, McBride had raised well over $2.14 million since announcing her bid for the seat last June. The latest Federal Election Commission campaign finance data shows McBride's campaign raising $1.85 million in contributions through March 31.

Support grows for Sarah McBride

Delaware Democratic Party Chair Betsy Maron said with Young stepping out of the congressional race, state Democrats are "proud to unite behind our candidate for Congress," labeling the current state senator a "true changemaker."

"Sarah has garnered an incredible coalition of support in her campaign, including her Democratic colleagues in the state legislature and unions across our state," Maron said. "We look forward to working with her as she continues her steadfast commitment to Delaware and the values of the Democratic Party of Delaware."

If elected, McBride – currently the country's highest-ranking transgender elected official – would become the first trans person elected to federal office, catapulting the already nationally known politician to an even bigger stage.

Annise Parker, president and CEO of LGBTQ+ Victory Fund, noted Wednesday that Young exiting the race clears the field for McBride to make history as the first transgender member of Congress. With the filing deadline weeks away, there's a "small chance that another candidate could join the race," Parker said.

The LGBTQ+ Victory Fund has endorsed McBride's run for the office. McBride previously interned with the Victory Fund and participated in LGBTQ+ Victory Institute's campaign training. “With trans rights under assault in states across the country, Sarah McBride’s ability to clear the primary field to represent Delaware in Congress proves that voters want their leaders focused on solving the issues that matter to their daily lives – not singling out their trans neighbors," Parker said in an emailed statement. "Our democracy works best when we all have a seat at the table, and our community is overjoyed today at the news that – for the first time in the 246 years since our Congress was created – the trans community is poised to have a voice in our national legislature."

Got a tip? Contact Amanda Fries at afries@delawareonline.com. Follow her on X at @mandy_fries.

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Eugene Young suspends congressional campaign pursuit