Mary Young (politician)
Mary Young | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Colorado House of Representatives from the 50th district | |
| Assumed office June 2, 2019 | |
| Preceded by | Rochelle Galindo |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1950 or 1951 (age 73–74) |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Dave Young |
| Residence(s) | Greeley, Colorado |
| Education | St. Mary's College, BA Duke University, M.Ed. University of Northern Colorado, Ph.D. |
| Website | Official website Campaign website |
Mary Young is an American politician, psychologist, and special education teacher from the state of Colorado. A Democrat, Young has represented the 50th district of the Colorado House of Representatives, based in Greeley, since 2019.[1][2]
Career
[edit]From 1973 until 2001, Young worked as a special education teacher, initially in Romeoville, Illinois before moving to Weld County, Colorado. After getting a Ph.D. in psychology in 2000, Young began working as a school psychologist, which she continues to do.[3]
Political career
[edit]In 2018, 50th district incumbent – and Young's husband – Dave Young ran successfully for Colorado State Treasurer, and was succeeded in the State House by fellow Democrat Rochelle Galindo. Galindo resigned only 5 months into her term, however, after being accused of sexual misconduct and providing alcohol to a minor.[4]
That June, a Weld County Democratic vacancy committee met to determine Galindo's successor. Young won 6 of the committee's 9 votes, while Greeley-Evans school board member Rhonda Solis received 3; four other candidates applied but received no votes.[5][6] Young assumed office immediately. She was re-elected in 2020 and 2022.[2] Young ran for re-election again in 2024. In the Democratic primary election held June 25, 2024, she ran unopposed.[7] In the general election held November 5, 2024, Young was defeated by Republican candidate Ryan Gonzalez.[8]
Tenure
[edit]In the 2021-2022 legislative sessions, Young sat in the Public & Behavioral Health & Human Services Committee and was vice-chair of the Education Committee.[1] In the 2022 legislative session, Young sponsored bills which aimed at improving supportive learning, special education, mental health, reducing license fees and other similar measures.[9] For the 2023-2024 Legislative Sessions, Young sat on the same committees however became the Vice-Chair of the Public & Behavioral Health & Human Services Committee. In September 2022, the Colorado Behavioral Health Council recognized Young for her legislative work on behavioral health.[10]
Personal life
[edit]Young lives in Greeley with her husband Dave.[11] She is a school psychologist.[1] Young is also a co-guardian of her sister-in-law after a liver transplant.[12]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c "Representative Mary Young". Colorado General Assembly. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ a b "Mary Young (Colorado)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ "About Mary". Mary Young for Colorado. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ Michael Roberts (May 13, 2019). "Representative Rochelle Galindo Resigns Amid Sexual Misconduct Claim". Westword. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ Bruce Finley (June 2, 2019). "Mary Young selected to replace Greeley representative Rochelle Galindo". The Denver Post. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ Trevor Reid (June 2, 2019). "Mary Young appointed representative of House District 50". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ "State Representative District 50 Democratic Primary". Colorado Secretary of State. October 15, 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ "State Representative District 50". Colorado Secretary of State. November 15, 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
- ^ Ragan, Kelly (8 July 2022). "2022 Colorado Legislative Review: Mary Young". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
- ^ "Behavioral health provider association celebrates work of State Rep. Mary Young". Greeley Tribune. 2022-09-30. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
- ^ "Mary Young's Biography". VoteSmart. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
- ^ "About Mary".