Former Lt. Gov. John Carney announced Wednesday he will run for the state's lone seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2010.
Carney, who was unsuccessful in his bid for governor last fall against Jack Markell, becomes the highest-profile candidate to mount a challenge to Republican Congressman Mike Castle, should the long-serving politician run for a 10th two-year term.
“With our economy in a recession and unemployment continuing to rise, our country and our state are facing unprecedented challenges," Carney said in a statement posted to his campaign Web site Wednesday morning. "To address them, we need strong, experienced leaders who can rise above partisanship and bring people together to address these challenges. I’ll be that kind of leader in Congress – one who works with both Republicans and Democrats to move our country forward, starting with a focus on creating jobs and getting our economy back on track.”
Carney, a Claymont native, began his political career as a staff assistant to then-Sen. Joe Biden and later became secretary of finance under then-Gov. Tom Carper before becoming lieutenant governor under former-Gov. Ruth Ann Minner.
Wilmington Democrat Scott Spencer had previously announced his candidacy for the seat.
