Amy Grady

Amy Nichole Grady (née Doss; born October 15, 1979[1]) is an American teacher and politician who has served as the junior West Virginia State Senator from the 4th district since 2020. Grady is a Republican. Grady has served as the chair of the West Virginia Senate Education Committee since 2022.[2]

Amy Grady
Member of the West Virginia Senate
from the 4th district
Assumed office
December 1, 2020
Serving with Eric Tarr
Preceded byMitch Carmichael
Personal details
Born
Amy Nichole Doss

(1979-10-15) October 15, 1979
Political partyRepublican
SpouseJack L. Grady
EducationMarietta College B.Ed,

Early life, education, and career

Grady is the daughter of Addie Roberts. She received her Bachelor of Education degree from Marietta College and West Virginia University and served as a teacher before running for office.[3]

Elections

Grady, a teacher, was inspired to run for office after participating in the 2018 West Virginia teachers' strike. Her later opponent in the primary, Lt. Governor and President of the West Virginia Senate, Mitch Carmichael, had opposed pay raises for teachers and supported charter schools. Her role in the strike led her to seek the office.[4]

On her website, Grady described herself as a "Pro-life, Pro-2nd Amendment conservative teacher who is fed up with self-serving elected officials." Her campaign was self-funded and Carmichael outraised her by more than 50:1 in the primary.[5]

Grady won the three-way primary election with 39.12% of the vote, defeating Carmichael by a margin of fewer than 1000 votes.[6] Carmichael conceded the evening of the election and agreed to support Grady in the general.[4]

Grady defeated Democrat Bruce Ashworth in the 2020 general election with 70.69% of the vote.[7]

Tenure

Committee assignments
  • Education (chair)
  • Health and Human Resources (Vice Chair)[8]
  • Agriculture and Rural Development
  • Judiciary
  • Military
  • Natural Resources

Education

Grady spoke in support of and voted for House Bill 2013, a bill that would allow more public funds to be used by parents sending their children to private schools.[9][10]

Grady voted for Senate Bill 680, a bill that would make it harder for school staff to be given raises.[11]

Transgender rights

As a member of the education committee, Grady was the lead sponsor of Senate Bill 341, a bill that would require transgender athletes to compete in sports associated with their biological sex.[8][12][13]

DC statehood

With many of her fellow Senators, Grady signed onto a resolution requesting West Virginia Senators and Congresspeople to oppose bills that would allow statehood for the District of Columbia.[14]

Personal life

Grady is married to Jack L. Grady and has three children. She is a Christian.[3]

References
  1. "Amy Grady". Whitepages. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  2. "Senator Amy Nichole Grady Named Chairman of Education Committee". West Virginia Legislature. September 1, 2022.
  3. "West Virginia Senate Biography: Senator Grady". West Virginia Legislature. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  4. Waldron, Travis. "Teacher Ousts West Virginia State Senate Leader In GOP Primary". Huffington Post. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  5. "Teacher beats West Virginia Senate president after protests". 10 News. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  6. "2020 Primary Election: 4th Senatorial District". West Virginia Board of Elections. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  7. "2020 General Election: 4th Senatorial District". West Virginia Board of Elections. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  8. "Member Profiles: Senator Grady". West Virginia Legislature. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  9. Adams, Steven Allen. "Education savings account bill gets OK from West Virginia Senate". News and Sentinel. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  10. Raby, John. "WVa private school savings accounts bill heads to governor". Associated Press. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  11. Quinn, Ryan. "WV Legislature sends governor bill that could eliminate school workers' raises". West Virginia Gazette-Mail. Retrieved April 9, 2021.
  12. "Senate Bill 341". West Virginia Legislature. Retrieved March 23, 2021.
  13. Adams, Steven Allen. "Bill blocking transgender students from certain sports passes West Virginia House". Parkersburg News and Sentinel. Retrieved March 26, 2021.
  14. "WV GOP Letter (2021)" (PDF). Students for DC Statehood. Archived from the original (PDF) on April 29, 2021. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
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