Jesse Young (politician)

Jesse Lee Young (born 1976)[1] is an American politician who served as a member of the Washington House of Representatives for the 26th district from 2014 to 2023. He is a member of the Republican Party.

Jesse Young
Member of the Washington House of Representatives
from the 26th district
In office
January 17, 2014 (2014-01-17) – January 9, 2023 (2023-01-09)
Preceded byJan Angel
Succeeded bySpencer Hutchins
Personal details
Born
Jesse Lee Young

1976 (age 46–47)
Boise, Idaho, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
Children6
Residence(s)Gig Harbor, Washington, U.S.
Alma materUniversity of Notre Dame (BS)
WebsiteOfficial website

Early life and education

Born in Boise, Idaho, Young was raised in the Hilltop neighborhood of Tacoma, Washington, where he spent some of his childhood homeless. Young eventually graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and was accepted to the University of Notre Dame. In college, Young competed on the track team as a pole vaulter and worked in the dining hall to pay his tuition. In 1999, Young earned a Bachelor of Science degree in management information systems from the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame.[2]

Career

Young began his career as an IT consultant for major corporations before entering state government. Young was appointed to the Washington House of Representatives on January 17, 2014, succeeding Jan Angel following the latter's election to the Washington State Senate.[3] He ran for a seat in the Washington State Senate in 2022, losing to incumbent Democrat Emily Randall.[4]

Controversies

In a letter dated December 13, 2016, Young was informed by an attorney for the Washington House of Representatives that he was being restricted from interacting directly with his legislative assistants and was no longer eligible to have a district office for the period of one year.[5] The letter stated that the actions were taken as a result of "credible and serious" allegations of a "pattern of hostile and intimidating behavior." Legislative aides and other colleagues alleged that this behavior included "screaming fits," "meltdowns," and "crude references to the female anatomy."[6] The letter further stated that the restrictions might be removed if Young were to complete an anger management training program, a management training program, and respectful workplace training.[7]

In October 2017, Young was fined $1,000 by the Washington Legislative Ethics Board for campaigning on state resources and utilizing a legislative state-employed assistant to aid in his election campaigns. Young was fined an additional $500 in June 2018 for again using state resources for his campaign activities.[8]

One of his more controversial bills was to create an Aircraft Carrier Bridge spanning from Port orchard to Bremerton.[9]

Awards
  • 2014 Guardians of Small Business award. Presented by NFIB.[10]
  • 2020 Guardians of Small Business. Presented by NFIB.[11]

Personal life

Young's wife is Jennifer Young. They have six children. Young and his family live in Gig Harbor, Washington.[12]

References
  1. "Legislative Manual 2021-2022" (PDF). Washington State Legislature.
  2. "About Rep. Jesse Young". Jesse Young. Retrieved 2020-01-21.
  3. "Councils appoint Jesse Young and Graham Hunt to state House seats". Kitsap Sun, January 17, 2014.
  4. "Jesse Young for State Senate". Retrieved October 5, 2021.
  5. "Rep. Jesse Young restricted from supervising staff". AP News. 2017-01-31. Retrieved 2018-02-09.
  6. "Gig Harbor state rep restricted from supervising staff". The News Tribune. Retrieved 2018-02-09.
  7. "State Rep. Jesse Young restricted from supervising staff after 'hostile' behavior". Q13 FOX. 2017-01-30. Retrieved 2018-02-09.
  8. Orenstein, Walker (2018-06-30). "Gig Harbor lawmaker fined again for mixing campaign work and state resources". The Seattle Times. Retrieved 2021-09-17.
  9. "Proposal: Washington state bridge made out of retired Navy aircraft carriers". 13 April 2015.
  10. "69 Lawmakers Win Main Street's Highest Award". nfib.com. May 12, 2014. Retrieved September 20, 2021.
  11. "44 Washington Legislators Named Guardians of Small Business". nfib.com. July 15, 2020. Retrieved September 13, 2021.
  12. "Jesse Young - 26th Legislative District". www.gigharborchamber.net. Retrieved 2020-01-21.
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