Eugene Young Monday announced his candidacy for the lone state’s seat in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Young, 40, the Delaware State Housing Authority director, is the third Democrat to announce a run for the post. Announcing earlier were State Sen.Sarah McBride and State Treasurer Colleen Davis.
The Congressional seat is being vacated by Lisa Blunt Rochester, who is running for the U.S. Senate seat held by Tom Carper, who is stepping down after more than a more than four-decade-long career that included serving as governor, state Treasurer and Congressman.
“Our government must work for all of us,” Young stated. “Too often Delawareans feel underrepresented. I believe my lived experiences and unique perspective will bridge the gap connecting policy, resources, and the people we serve to bring about real change.”
Young was picked by Gov. John Carney to lead the Delaware State Housing Authority in 2021. Young worked with the governor and the General Assembly to grow the state’s investment in affordable housing from $10 million to $122 million. The increase was aided by the American Rescue Fund.
Young was the President and CEO of the Metropolitan Wilmington Urban League and before that, he co-founded Network Delaware, a grassroots civic leadership development organization. He also ran for Wilmington Mayor.
“The movement we launched from the heart of that campaign trained and activated a new generation of community leaders and legislators, and Delaware is better for it. For the first time ever, our state legislature is reflective of the people it serves. And now, I am taking our united Delaware voice to Washington to fight for our state,” said Young. “No one will be left out, or left behind. I’m running for Congress because Delawareans deserve a secure and prosperous future, one where we’re all empowered to achieve our best selves.”
Young’s first foray into public service was as the co-founder of Delaware Elite, a nonprofit that provided youth with academic opportunities and leadership training.
Young continued, “My call to service began when I recognized the neighborhood I grew up in was facing serious challenges. I was 21 years old at the time and knew I had to do something. So with my two friends, Shannon Watson and Logan Herring, I co-founded Delaware Elite,” Young said. “This took grit and determination – We had to fund and run the program, all while never taking a dime ourselves. Instead, I worked overnight shifts at the Hotel DuPont, cleaning shoes and picking up dry cleaning, which allowed me to spend my days mentoring Wilmington’s youth on how to personally and academically develop.”
According to Young, Delaware can become a magnet for small businesses and economic opportunity, a state where everyone has home stability, affordable medical care, accessible reproductive service, and urgent action on climate change.
Young and his wife, Dr. Nicole Jones Young, a Franklin & Marshall College professor, live with their two children, Madison and Mason, in Wilmington.
