Sussex County Democratic Party Chair Resigns
Jeff Balk, the chair of the Sussex County Democratic Party, has resigned. State Democratic and other officials have called for Balk to step down after previous sex crimes against minors came out. Those offenses occurred in 1988 in Missouri.聽
Balk announced his resignation on the Sussex County Democratic Party’s Facebook page Sunday night and told county democrats that he stepped down so that he would not become a distraction as candidates prepare for the 2026 election cycle.
Balk’s resignation notice from the Democratic Party Sussex County Delaware Facebook page:
Today, I submitted my resignation as chair of the Sussex County Democratic Party. I am stepping down to ensure that I do not become a distraction to the candidates who are running in the 2026 cycle, a critical time for our county, state and country.
Over the past few years, we鈥檝e made great strides in strengthening the Democratic voice and increasing turnout in Sussex County. Building on the foundation laid by my predecessor, we鈥檝e seen success in campaigns for State Senate, State Representative, County Council, and most recently, in a special election victory.
I鈥檓 incredibly proud of the hard work and dedication of our local party chairs. There is still more to be done, and I have full confidence in their collective vision and leadership to continue moving us forward. I urge them all to continue the mission. While I wish my resignation came under different circumstances, I remain a proud Democrat, and I look forward to finding ways to continue supporting Sussex Dems and achieving the progress that is possible when Democrats stand up for their values.
Jeff Balk