Jeff Balk

Former Sussex County Democratic Party Chairperson Jeff Balk

 Sussex County Democratic Party

SUSSEX COUNTY, Del. – Sussex County Democratic Party Chairperson Jeff Balk resigned overnight following bipartisan calls for his removal. 

Balk posted to the party's official Facebook page around 9:15 p.m. on Oct. 26, saying in part, "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."

Sussex Co. Democratic Chair Resigns

Sussex County's Democratic Party Chairperson Jeff Balk announced his resignation in a Facebook post Oct. 26.

Republicans and Democrats in the state called on Balk to resign after his 1988 child sex crime convictions recently came to light.

Court records show Balk was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to sexual assault against three minor boys in Missouri.

Delaware's Republican Party and House Democratic Leadership were among those calling for Balk's resignation. 

Balk was still listed as chairperson on the party's website as of 7 a.m. Oct. 27.

This article will be updated as WBOC obtains more information.

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Bees is an Ocean City local familiar with Eastern Shore culture and history. She is passionate about audience engagement through community journalism, media literacy and language. Before joining WBOC, Bees was Editor in Chief of SU's student news outlet, The Flyer. She is thrilled to serve Delmarva as a newscast producer on WBOC's team.

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