Mary Young (politician)

Mary Young
Member of the Colorado House of Representatives
from the 50th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
June 2, 2019
Preceded byRochelle Galindo
Personal details
Born1950 or 1951 (age 73–74)
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseDave Young
Residence(s)Greeley, Colorado
EducationSt. Mary's College, BA
Duke University, M.Ed.
University of Northern Colorado, Ph.D.
WebsiteOfficial 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

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

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

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

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

  1. ^ a b c "Representative Mary Young". Colorado General Assembly. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  2. ^ a b "Mary Young (Colorado)". Ballotpedia. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  3. ^ "About Mary". Mary Young for Colorado. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  4. ^ Michael Roberts (May 13, 2019). "Representative Rochelle Galindo Resigns Amid Sexual Misconduct Claim". Westword. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  5. ^ Bruce Finley (June 2, 2019). "Mary Young selected to replace Greeley representative Rochelle Galindo". The Denver Post. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  6. ^ Trevor Reid (June 2, 2019). "Mary Young appointed representative of House District 50". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  7. ^ "State Representative District 50 Democratic Primary". Colorado Secretary of State. October 15, 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  8. ^ "State Representative District 50". Colorado Secretary of State. November 15, 2024. Retrieved November 18, 2024.
  9. ^ Ragan, Kelly (8 July 2022). "2022 Colorado Legislative Review: Mary Young". Greeley Tribune. Retrieved 27 December 2022.
  10. ^ "Behavioral health provider association celebrates work of State Rep. Mary Young". Greeley Tribune. 2022-09-30. Retrieved 2022-12-27.
  11. ^ "Mary Young's Biography". VoteSmart. Retrieved June 27, 2020.
  12. ^ "About Mary".