Democratic candidate Shuwaski Young plans to withdraw from the Mississippi secretary of state race because of health concerns, he announced Sunday in a press release.
“Recently, I suffered a hypertensive crisis which placed an immediate and continuous challenge on my ability to campaign for the Office of Secretary of State,” Young said. “My intent was to press forward knowing full well the risk being placed on my health due to a rigorous campaign schedule. I can no longer take this risk. Therefore, I am announcing my intent to withdraw my candidacy for Secretary of State.”
He needs to give an affidavit to the State Board of Election Commissioners—the governor, attorney general and secretary of state—with a “legitimate nonpolitical reason” for withdrawing his candidacy, Mississippi’s law says. If approved, the board will take Young’s name off the ballot.
Incumbent Secretary Michael Watson will now run unopposed unless the Mississippi Democratic Party decides to add another candidate to the ballot to fill Young’s spot, which state laws allow.
“I appreciate Shuwaski Young’s willingness to serve and will pray for his speedy recovery,” a spokesperson told the Mississippi Free Press on behalf of Watson and his office.
Young unsuccessfully ran against Republican U.S. Rep. Michael Guest for Mississippi’s 3rd Congressional District in 2022.
He previously worked for former Mississippi secretaries of state Eric Clark and Delbert Hosemann. The Neshoba County native was the external engagement coordinator at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security during Barack Obama’s presidency.
“I am deeply grateful for the outpouring of statewide support I have received through this campaign,” Young wrote in the press release.
