Sussex democratic chair resigns

SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. — Sussex County Democratic Party Chair Jeff Balk stepped down Sunday night amid mounting political pressure from state Democratic leaders to resign. Balk’s past sex crimes against minors recently resurfaced.

Balk announced his decision Sunday night via the Sussex Democratic Party’s Facebook page, saying, “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.”

Chairman of the Sussex County Republican Party Daniel Willis responded to the incident, saying, “We have not yet begun to fight.”

“Jeff Balk might have resigned, but we will not stop until every single member of the Delaware Sussex County Democratic Committee follows suit,” Willis said.

State Democratic leaders, including Speaker Melissa Minor-Brown, Majority Leader Kerri Evelyn Harris, and Majority Whip Ed Osienski, issued a joint statement urging Balk to resign, saying, “As Democrats, we believe in the possibility of growth and reform for offenders, but second chances can’t come at the expense of survivors who are still living with the pain of what was done to them.”

Senators Chris Coons and Lisa Blunt Rochester, U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride, Lt. Gov. Kyle Evans Gay, and Attorney General Kathy Jennings issued a statement, saying, “We support Chair Evelyn Brady’s request that Jeff Balk resign from party leadership. We urge him to step down.”

Balk added to his statement that he wished his resignation had come under different circumstances but said he remains a “proud Democrat.” He added, “I look forward to finding ways to continue supporting Sussex Democrats and achieving the progress that is possible when Democrats stand up for their values.”

WMDT tried to reach members of the Sussex County Democratic Party but was unsuccessful.

Balk was arrested and charged with paying young boys for sex in 1986 and served seven years in a Missouri prison, according to Spotlight Delaware.