Eugene Young runs for Wilmington mayor
Eugene Young , a Wilmington native and founder of a local nonprofit organization, announced Tuesday that he will challenge Mayor Dennis P. Williams' bid for re-election in 2016.
Young, who works as the advocacy director at the Delaware Center for Justice, said Wilmington needs a new kind of leader to strengthen the community.
“I believe our city is at a crossroads, and we need a new type of leadership focused on bringing neighborhoods and communities together,” Young said. “It is imperative all Wilmingtonians understand that we share an equitable stake in our city and our future.”
If elected, Young said he will address public safety, economic development, constituent service and youth engagement.
"We don't have the luxury of time," Young said. "Our city is in dire straits and if we want to see something different, if we want to see progress, then we as citizens have to be different."
Young, a Democrat, also launched his campaign website Tuesday, at eugeneyoungformayor.com/.
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Young, 32, previously was as an aide in the Delaware Legislature and worked on the campaign of U.S. Sen. Cory Booker, of New Jersey. He co-founded Delaware Elite, a non-profit group that helps student athletes from Wilmington and the surrounding area become successful in college. He has never before run for elective office.
Young grew up in Wilmington and attended St. Marks High School. He won a basketball scholarship and attended University of Maryland Baltimore County.
He lives in Wilmington with his wife Nicole Young and their infant daughter, Madison.
Theo Gregory, Norman Griffiths and Kevin F. Kelley Sr. also are running against Williams.
Contact Jenna Pizzi at jpizzi@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2837. Follow her on Twitter @JennaPizzi.