Young withdraws from Secretary of State’s campaign

Health reasons have forced the Democratic candidate for Secretary of State to step away and withdraw from the race.

Shuwaski Young announced the decision with a news release on Sunday, Aug. 27.

“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.”

Young was challenging incumbent Republican Secretary of State Michael Watson in the November general election.

According to his campaign website, Young is a fifth-generation Mississippi native, veteran, advocate, and public servant. He began a career of service by joining the Mississippi Army National Guard at age 17, is a graduate of East Central Community College and Jackson State University. Young has worked for Eric Clark and Delbert Hosemann during their administrations at the Mississippi Secretary of State’s Office.

Young has also has held leadership roles across the public and private sectors, including during the Obama 2012 campaign, the Clinton 2016 campaign, the federal Department of Homeland Security, Union Presbyterian Seminary (Richmond, VA), The Justice & Diversity Center of the Bar Association of San Francisco, and others.

“I am deeply grateful for the outpouring of statewide support I have received throughout this campaign,” Young said.