Nicole Young: Difference between revisions
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• {{wp|Independent voter|Independent}} (2006-2009) | • {{wp|Independent voter|Independent}} (2006-2009) | ||
• [[Federalist Party (Deseret)|Federalist]] (2009-2015) | • [[Federalist Party (Deseret)|Federalist]] (2009-2015) | ||
| height = 5 ft 4 in | | height = 5 ft 4 in<ref>"Filler 44"</ref> | ||
| spouse = John Macky (m. 2013) | | spouse = John Macky (m. 2013) | ||
| children = 3 | | children = 3 | ||
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'''Nicole Annyta Young''' (born 16 November 1985), often stylized and known as '''Nicole A. Young''', is a [[Deseretian]] politician who currently serves as the 27th [[President of Deseret|president of Deseret]]. A member of the [[Reform Party (Deseret)|Reform party]], she served as mayor of [[Rock Ridge, California]] in 2004, a state senator from 2010 to 2014, a representative from 2014 to 2020, and as [[Speaker of the Deseret House of Representative]] from 2018 to 2020. Young is the 5th woman, the 3rd direct descendant of {{wp|Brigham Young|Brigham Young}}, and the youngest person to hold the office of president, at age 34 when she was {{wp|Oath|sworn in}}. | '''Nicole Annyta Young''' (born 16 November 1985), often stylized and known as '''Nicole A. Young''', is a [[Deseretian]] politician who currently serves as the 27th [[President of Deseret|president of Deseret]]. A member of the [[Reform Party (Deseret)|Reform party]], she served as mayor of [[Rock Ridge, California]] in 2004, a state senator from 2010 to 2014, a representative from 2014 to 2020, and as [[Speaker of the Deseret House of Representative]] from 2018 to 2020. Young is the 5th woman, the 3rd direct descendant of {{wp|Brigham Young|Brigham Young}}, and the youngest person to hold the office of president, at age 34 when she was {{wp|Oath|sworn in}}. | ||
Young was born and raised in California and served as a {{wp|Mormon mission|missionary}} for {{wp|The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}}, which influenced her politics regarding {{wp|poverty}}, {{wp|unemployment}}, {{wp|agriculture}}, {{wp|immigration}}, and {{wp|welfare}}. Young served in the [[California State Senate]] and as a representative from the state, which helped boost her familiarity and popularity | Young was born and raised in California and served as a {{wp|Mormon mission|missionary}} for {{wp|The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints}}, which influenced her politics regarding {{wp|poverty}}, {{wp|unemployment}}, {{wp|agriculture}}, {{wp|immigration}}, and {{wp|welfare}}. Young served in the [[California State Senate]] and as a representative from the state, which helped boost her familiarity and popularity naitionwide. She has become well-known for her political fighting, negotiation, and {{wp|Bipartisanship|bipartisan}} abilities, as well as being able to connect with certain {{wp|Voting bloc|voting blocs}}, having held membership and belief in all three of [[Political philosophies in Deseret|Deseret's major political philosophies]], from {{wp|centrism}} to {{wp|socialism}}. | ||
Young's political beliefs have been heavily influenced by her {{wp|religion|religious}} beliefs, including self-sufficiency, charity, compassion, free agency, and families. She has structured much of her major legislation and policies on these views, including her policies on national self-sufficiency with water, energy, food, and {{wp|Balanced budget|financial resources}}, {{wp|Environmentalism|care for the planet}}, {{wp|Tax break|tax breaks}} for and endorsement of {{wp|Family|families}}, {{wp| | Young's political beliefs have been heavily influenced by her {{wp|religion|religious}} beliefs, including self-sufficiency, charity, compassion, free agency, and families. She has structured much of her major legislation and policies on these views, including her policies on national self-sufficiency with water, energy, food, and {{wp|Balanced budget|financial resources}}, {{wp|Environmentalism|care for the planet}}, {{wp|Tax break|tax breaks}} for and endorsement of {{wp|Family|families}} (including {{wp|Nuclear family|traditional}} and non-traditional families), {{wp|Christian communism|communal ownership}} in regards to infrastructure, industry, basic living standards, and {{wp|Unemployment benefits|unemployment programs}}, discouraging the use of substances such as {{wp|tobacco}}, {{wp|alcohol}}, and {{wp|Added sugar|sugar}}, and support of free choice in most personal matters. | ||
Young has faced condemnation from {{wp| | Young has faced condemnation from {{wp|Political moderate|moderates}} for being too {{wp|Liberalism|liberal}} in regards to {{wp|Same-sex relationship|same-sex relationships}} and protections, the environment, amnesty for illegal immigrants and workers, and increased {{wp|State ownership|government control}} and centralization over {{wp|Health care|healthcare}}, {{wp|education}}, arts, and businesses. She has also faced backlash from liberals for being too conservative in regards to the importance of the family and religion, {{wp|Protectionism|protectionist}} trade policies, increased {{wp|Border control|border security}}, and forcing the federal government to be "politically biased" towards certain activities, groups, and substances as they relate to religion and so-called conservative values. | ||
== Early life == | == Early life == | ||
Young was born 16 November 1985 in Rock Ridge, [[California (Deseret)|California]], to Jannice and Weasley Young. She is the fifth great-granddaughter of 1st president of Deseret and 2nd {{wp|President of the Church (LDS Church)|president}} and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Brigham Young<ref>"Filler 1"</ref>. She attended Rock Ridge High School, where she became active in her community in service and politics as a self-described | Young was born 16 November 1985 in Rock Ridge, [[California (Deseret)|California]], to Jannice and Weasley Young. She is the fifth great-granddaughter of 1st president of Deseret and 2nd {{wp|President of the Church (LDS Church)|president}} and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Brigham Young<ref>"Filler 1"</ref>. She attended Rock Ridge High School, where she became active in her community in service and politics as a self-described {{wp|Communism|communist}}<ref>"Filler 2"</ref>. She graduated in 2004 and, during her senior year, she ran for mayor of Rock Ridge. | ||
Young campaigned on reversing decisions made by the unpopular incumbent mayor, in which much of the city's public works and maintenance departments were privatized, on increasing budget and city council | Young campaigned on reversing decisions made by the unpopular incumbent mayor, in which much of the city's public works and maintenance departments were privatized, on increasing budget and city council transparency, eliminating the balanced-budget ordinance, increasing funding for education, health, retirement, addiction, and homeless services, and on bringing in the next generation of young people into government and community activism<ref>"Filler 3"</ref>. She ran against an outgoing city councilor and a prominent local businessman in a contested three-way race<ref>"Filler 4"</ref>. | ||
=== Rock Ridge mayor (2004) === | === Rock Ridge mayor (2004) === | ||
Young narrowly secured a plurality of votes and was elected as the next mayor<ref>"Filler 5"</ref>. As mayor, Young worked to pass municipal, welfare, and education reform; including a re-work of the city property tax system<ref>"Filler 6"</ref>, an increase in city grants and funding to education, health, and welfare establishments, setting up several shelters and organizations for the unemployed, uninsured, elderly, and homeless<ref>"Filler 7"</ref>, and renewing of city infrastructure in the form of repairing roads, bridges, and revitalizing the historic downtown district after de-privatizing much of the municipal government<ref>"Filler 8"</ref>. Young also helped repeal the balanced budget ordinance<ref>"Filler 9"</ref>, which opened the way for the city to increase funding for Young's newly expanded programs. | Young narrowly secured a plurality of votes and was elected as the next mayor<ref>"Filler 5"</ref>. As mayor, Young worked to pass municipal, welfare, and education reform; including a re-work of the city property tax system<ref>"Filler 6"</ref>, an increase in city grants and funding to education, health, and welfare establishments, setting up several shelters and organizations for the unemployed, uninsured, elderly, and homeless<ref>"Filler 7"</ref>, and renewing of city infrastructure in the form of repairing roads, bridges, and revitalizing the historic downtown district after de-privatizing much of the municipal government<ref>"Filler 8"</ref>. Young also helped repeal the balanced budget ordinance<ref>"Filler 9"</ref>, which opened the way for the city to increase funding for Young's newly expanded programs. | ||
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"Filler 10"</ref>. She appointed Jessica Lopez as her replacement, who worked to continue much of the work Young had done and implement many of her policies<ref>"Filler 11"</ref>. | "Filler 10"</ref>. She appointed Jessica Lopez as her replacement, who worked to continue much of the work Young had done and implement many of her policies<ref>"Filler 11"</ref>. | ||
=== Missionary service === | === Missionary service === | ||
Young decided to serve a full-time, 18-month, proselyting mission for the Church of Jesus Christ in {{wp| | Young decided to serve a full-time, 18-month, proselyting mission for the Church of Jesus Christ in {{wp|Tanzania}}<ref>"Filler 12"</ref>, where she learned {{wp|Swahili language|Swahili}}, which she still speaks fluently<ref>"Filler 13"</ref>. During her mission, Young's political beliefs and philosophy were reshaped by her interactions with poverty, violence, and the local economy and culture<ref>"Filler 14"</ref>. | ||
After returning from her mission, Young attended {{wp|Brigham Young University}} (BYU) in 2006 before transferring to {{wp|Brigham Young University–Hawaii|BYU-Hawaii}}, where she earned a {{wp|Bachelor of Arts|BA}} in political science and a minor in public management<ref>"Filler 15"</ref>. | After returning from her mission, Young attended {{wp|Brigham Young University}} (BYU) in 2006 before transferring to {{wp|Brigham Young University–Hawaii|BYU-Hawaii}}, where she graduated early in 2009 and earned a {{wp|Bachelor of Arts|BA}} in political science and a minor in public management<ref>"Filler 15"</ref>. | ||
Following her mission and post-secondary education, Young | Following her mission and post-secondary education, Young self-identified as an independent<ref>"Filler 16"</ref> and as a liberal centrist<ref>"Filler 18"</ref>. She currently identifies as a "sometimes moderate-socialist," having been shaped by her various views and beliefs over her life. | ||
== State senate (2010-2014) == | == State senate (2010-2014) == | ||
[[File:Nicole Young 2013.png.png|290px|thumb|left|Nicole Young addressing constituents during a town hall in Rock Ridge, 2011]] | [[File:Nicole Young 2013.png.png|290px|thumb|left|Nicole Young addressing constituents during a town hall in Rock Ridge, 2011]] | ||
Young launched her main political career by running for state senator in her home district in the state of California. Running as | Young launched her main political career by running for state senator in her home district in the state of California. Running as under the moderate [[Federalist Party (Deseret)|Federalist party]], she won a plurality of votes in a primarily three-way race between Federalist incumbent Ben Waight and Reformist Chuck Mason<ref>"Filler 19"</ref>. | ||
During her tenure in the senate, Young became well-known state-wide for her ambitious plans, bipartisanship, unifying ability, and refusal to back down<ref>"Filler 20"</ref>. She focused extensively on worker's and women's | During her tenure in the senate, Young became well-known state-wide for her ambitious plans, bipartisanship, unifying ability, and refusal to back down<ref>"Filler 20"</ref>. She focused extensively on increasing worker's and women's protections and business regulation, especially within the agricultural sector with large amounts of {{wp|Latino (demonym)|Latinx}} workers. Young helped spearhead legislation that called for greater government protection of small agricultural businesses with majority Latinx workers and co-authored the bi-partisan Minority Agricultural Business Protection Act in 2013 with Reformist {{wp|minority leader}} Catherina Gonzalez<ref>"Filler 21"</ref>. The legislation was used as a model by Congress and Young in 2020 for bills addressing agricultural protection and control, worker's rights, employment discrimination, and minority protections. | ||
Young sponsored, co-sponsored, and helped pass legislation with regard to | Young sponsored, co-sponsored, and helped pass legislation with regard to equitable rights for women and minorities, greater worker protections and safety nets, improved welfare and unemployment systems, increased and streamlined state grant systems, protections for agricultural businesses, and integration of undocumented immigrants into the state. She backed environmental legislation and, in 2012, joined 46 other senators in petitioning the governor to act on and prepare for water shortages<ref>"Filler 36"</ref>. | ||
[[File:Nicole Young 2014 Walkout.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Young protesting outside the state capitol during her 2014 walkout]] | [[File:Nicole Young 2014 Walkout.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Young protesting outside the state capitol during her 2014 walkout]] | ||
On 18 January 2014 Young and a coalition of 21 Reformists and | On 18 January 2014 Young and a coalition of 21 Reformists and three other Federalists staged a walkout protest in response to the Federalist-controlled Senate purposefully subverting and preventing a {{wp|climate change}} bill, which Young endorsed, from leaving committee and going to a floor vote<ref>"Filler 27"</ref>. The bill would have had the State of California recognize the impacts of climate change on its agricultural industry, would set up a committee to advise the governor on climate change and environment-related issues, and would declare a {{wp|state of emergency}} over climate change. The walkout protest was attended by around 200-230 additional protesters<ref>"Filler 28"</ref> and gained coverage by several national news outlets<ref>"Filler 29"</ref>. While the event made Young more nationally recognized, it did little to change public perception on the issue of climate change at the time<ref>"Filler 30"</ref>. | ||
Young only served one {{wp|Term of office|term}} in the state senate as her moderate popularity and political goals led her to run for [[Deseret Congress|Congress]] rather than secure reelection on the state level. Young thought about running to represent California's 4th congressional district in 2012 but decided not to challenge incumbent Mark Jensen, one of the most influential Federalists in Congress<ref>"Filler 26</ref>. Young entered office with an approval rating of roughly 38% and left with an approval rating of around | Young only served one {{wp|Term of office|term}} in the state senate as her moderate popularity and political goals led her to run for [[Deseret Congress|Congress]] rather than secure reelection on the state level. Young thought about running to represent California's 4th congressional district in 2012 but decided not to challenge incumbent Mark Jensen, one of the most influential Federalists in Congress<ref>"Filler 26</ref>. Young entered office with an approval rating of roughly 38% and left with an approval rating of around 57%, with her approval fluctuating between 50-60% throughout most of her term<ref>"Filler 33"</ref>. | ||
== Federal politics == | == Federal politics == | ||
=== Representative (2014-2020) === | === Representative (2014-2020) === | ||
In 2013 Jensen announced he would not seek reelection after eight terms in office. Young and eight other candidates participated in one of the largest and most competitive House primaries in the nation<ref>"Filler 31"</ref>. Young was endorsed by Jensen<ref>"Filler 32"</ref> and won with a plurality of votes in the primary. In the general election | In 2013 Jensen announced he would not seek reelection after eight terms in office. Young and eight other candidates participated in one of the largest and most competitive House primaries in the nation<ref>"Filler 31"</ref>. Young was endorsed by Jensen<ref>"Filler 32"</ref> and won with a plurality of votes in the primary. In the general election she ran on a campaign of rooting our corruption in the House and won against Reformist Terri Johnson, who later became the [[Deseret Secretary of Health and Welfare|Secretary of Health and Welfare]] under Young's administration. | ||
==== 2014-2015 ==== | ==== 2014-2015 ==== | ||
In the House, Young quickly rose in popularity as the endorsed replacement of one of the Federalist's most influential members. Her commencement speech in the House garnered national attention as she called attention to the large and inefficient government bureaucracy and large amounts of corruption in the legislative and judicial branches. She affirmed her committment to streamlining government proccesses and countering corrupt officials. Her anti-bureaucracy and anti-corruption stances helped her gain national popularity<ref>"Filler 34"</ref>. | In the House, Young quickly rose in popularity as the endorsed replacement of one of the Federalist's most influential members. Her commencement speech in the House garnered national attention as she called attention to the large and inefficient government bureaucracy and large amounts of corruption in the legislative and judicial branches. She affirmed her committment to streamlining government proccesses and countering corrupt officials. Her anti-bureaucracy and anti-corruption stances helped her gain national popularity<ref>"Filler 34"</ref>. | ||
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==== 2018-2019 ==== | ==== 2018-2019 ==== | ||
==== 2020 ==== | ==== 2020 ==== | ||
Young authored legislation to increase and streamline welfare and unemployment benefits, increase federal subsidies for agriculture and healthcare, and integrate illegal immigrants into the country while strengthening border security. Young faced scrutiny for "socialist-leaning" beliefs in eliminating the death penalty, increasing taxes on the wealthy, increasing government funding | Young authored legislation to increase and streamline welfare and unemployment benefits, increase federal subsidies, research, and regulation for agriculture and healthcare, and integrate illegal immigrants into the country while strengthening border security. Young faced scrutiny from other moderate Federalists for "socialist-leaning" beliefs in eliminating the death penalty, dramatically increasing taxes on the wealthy, increasing government funding and control over education and healthcare, strengthening LGBTQIA+ protections, reworking the marriage and adoption systems, and increasing rights and representation for women and racial minorities. Young switched to the more liberal and socially-minded Reform party in 2015 but continued to win general elections in her historically Federalist district. | ||
In 2016, Young became the | In 2016, Young became the majority leader in the House of Representatives. Young helped push through much of her legislation including expanded mandatory paid maternity leave, rights of same-sex couples to adopt and foster children, increased control over agricultural businesses, increased tariffs on agricultural and electronic products, higher taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and gasoline, increased use of renewable energy, reworked tax breaks for married couples, children, electric vehicles, and solar panels, increased funding for college and PreK-12 schools, strengthened border security, streamlining of wasteful, inefficient, and corrupt government programs, reduction in government spying abilities in the name of counter-terrorism and safety, increased fiscal responsibility, and increased aid to underdeveloped nations. Due to Federalist influence in the Senate and control of the Executive Branch, however, none of Young's sponsored and authored legislation passed; although she found increased popularity in the eyes of the public for her resiliency and failure to comply with government norms<ref>"Filler 37"</ref>. | ||
=== Speaker of the House (2018-2020) === | === Speaker of the House (2018-2020) === | ||
[[File:Speaker Nicole Young 2018 Midterms.jpg|330px|thumb|left|Young addressing the press on her new position as Speaker of the House after the commencement of the 85th Congres in 2018]] | [[File:Speaker Nicole Young 2018 Midterms.jpg|330px|thumb|left|Young addressing the press on her new position as Speaker of the House after the commencement of the 85th Congres in 2018]] | ||
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== Political positions == | == Political positions == | ||
=== International trade === | === International trade === | ||
=== Education === | === Education === | ||
=== Healthcare === | === Healthcare === | ||
=== State-owned industry === | === State-owned industry === | ||
=== Women's and minority rights === | === Women's and minority rights === | ||
=== | === LGBTQIA+ Rights === | ||
=== Religious freedom === | === Religious freedom === | ||
=== Crime === | === Crime === | ||
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{{Election box end}} | {{Election box end}} | ||
===2016=== | |||
{{Election box begin no change |title=2016 California's 4th congressional district Reformist primary<ref>"Filler 35"</ref>}} | {{Election box begin no change |title=2016 California's 4th congressional district Reformist primary<ref>"Filler 35"</ref>}} | ||
{{Election box candidate with party link no change | {{Election box candidate with party link no change | ||
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{{Election box end}} | {{Election box end}} | ||
===2018=== | |||
{{Election box begin no change |title=2018 California's 4th congressional district Reformist primary<ref>"Filler 39"</ref>}} | {{Election box begin no change |title=2018 California's 4th congressional district Reformist primary<ref>"Filler 39"</ref>}} | ||
{{Election box candidate with party link no change | {{Election box candidate with party link no change | ||
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{{Election box end}} | {{Election box end}} | ||
===2019=== | |||
{{Election box begin no change |title=2019 California's 4th congressional district recall election<ref>"Filler 41"</ref>}} | {{Election box begin no change |title=2019 California's 4th congressional district recall election<ref>"Filler 41"</ref>}} | ||
{{Election box candidate with party link no change | {{Election box candidate with party link no change | ||
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{{Election box end}} | {{Election box end}} | ||
== Personal life == | == Personal life == | ||
Nicole Young attended Brigham Young University and Graduated from BYU-Hawaii in . She married John Macky while she served in the California State Senate on 14 May 2013<ref>"Filler 42"</ref>. She currently has three children: twins Susan Jannice and Emma Smith (b. 2016) and Ephraim Hadley (b. 2018) <ref>"Filler 43"</ref>. She and her family are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. | Nicole Young attended Brigham Young University and Graduated from BYU-Hawaii in 2009. She married John Macky while she served in the California State Senate on 14 May 2013<ref>"Filler 42"</ref>. She currently has three children: twins Susan Jannice and Emma Smith (b. 2016) and Ephraim Hadley (b. 2018) <ref>"Filler 43"</ref>. Young is fluent in Swahili and Spanish <ref>"Filler 45"</ref>. She and her family are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. | ||
== References == | == References == | ||
[[Category:People]][[Category: Politicians]] | [[Category:Deseret (Deseret)]][[Category:People]][[Category: Politicians]][[Category:Deseretian politicians]] | ||
Latest revision as of 23:35, 14 May 2023
Nicole Young | |
|---|---|
 | |
| 27th President of Deseret | |
| Assumed office 15 June 2020 | |
| Vice President | Madison West |
| Preceded by | Carla Chaufman |
| 41st Speaker of the House of Representatives | |
| In office 4 June 2018 – 1 June 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Gregory Duncan |
| Succeeded by | Martha Vanderbilt |
| Member of the House of Representatives from California's 4th district | |
| In office 2 June 2014 – 1 June 2020 | |
| Preceded by | Mark Jensen |
| Succeeded by | Nancy Douglass |
| Member of the California State Senate from the 23rd district | |
| In office 20 May 2010 – 15 May 2014 | |
| Preceded by | Aaron Wright |
| Succeeded by | Jeremiah Langley |
| Mayor of Rock Ridge, California | |
| In office 25 June 2004 – 13 December 2004 | |
| Preceded by | Eleanora Peasley |
| Succeeded by | Jessica Lopez |
| Personal details | |
| Born | November 16, 1985 Rock Ridge, California |
| Political party | Reform |
| Other political affiliations | • Deseret Union (2003-2006)
• Independent (2006-2009) • Federalist (2009-2015) |
| Height | 5 ft 4 in (163 cm)[2] |
| Spouse | John Macky (m. 2013) |
| Children | 3 |
| Parents |
|
| Alma mater | Brigham Young University (BA) |
| Salary | $405,000[1] |
 | This article is incomplete because it is pending further input from participants, or it is a work-in-progress by one author. Please comment on this article's talk page to share your input, comments and questions. Note: To contribute to this article, you may need to seek help from the author(s) of this page. |
Nicole Annyta Young (born 16 November 1985), often stylized and known as Nicole A. Young, is a Deseretian politician who currently serves as the 27th president of Deseret. A member of the Reform party, she served as mayor of Rock Ridge, California in 2004, a state senator from 2010 to 2014, a representative from 2014 to 2020, and as Speaker of the Deseret House of Representative from 2018 to 2020. Young is the 5th woman, the 3rd direct descendant of Brigham Young, and the youngest person to hold the office of president, at age 34 when she was sworn in.
Young was born and raised in California and served as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which influenced her politics regarding poverty, unemployment, agriculture, immigration, and welfare. Young served in the California State Senate and as a representative from the state, which helped boost her familiarity and popularity naitionwide. She has become well-known for her political fighting, negotiation, and bipartisan abilities, as well as being able to connect with certain voting blocs, having held membership and belief in all three of Deseret's major political philosophies, from centrism to socialism.
Young's political beliefs have been heavily influenced by her religious beliefs, including self-sufficiency, charity, compassion, free agency, and families. She has structured much of her major legislation and policies on these views, including her policies on national self-sufficiency with water, energy, food, and financial resources, care for the planet, tax breaks for and endorsement of families (including traditional and non-traditional families), communal ownership in regards to infrastructure, industry, basic living standards, and unemployment programs, discouraging the use of substances such as tobacco, alcohol, and sugar, and support of free choice in most personal matters.
Young has faced condemnation from moderates for being too liberal in regards to same-sex relationships and protections, the environment, amnesty for illegal immigrants and workers, and increased government control and centralization over healthcare, education, arts, and businesses. She has also faced backlash from liberals for being too conservative in regards to the importance of the family and religion, protectionist trade policies, increased border security, and forcing the federal government to be "politically biased" towards certain activities, groups, and substances as they relate to religion and so-called conservative values.
Early life
Young was born 16 November 1985 in Rock Ridge, California, to Jannice and Weasley Young. She is the fifth great-granddaughter of 1st president of Deseret and 2nd president and prophet of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Brigham Young[3]. She attended Rock Ridge High School, where she became active in her community in service and politics as a self-described communist[4]. She graduated in 2004 and, during her senior year, she ran for mayor of Rock Ridge.
Young campaigned on reversing decisions made by the unpopular incumbent mayor, in which much of the city's public works and maintenance departments were privatized, on increasing budget and city council transparency, eliminating the balanced-budget ordinance, increasing funding for education, health, retirement, addiction, and homeless services, and on bringing in the next generation of young people into government and community activism[5]. She ran against an outgoing city councilor and a prominent local businessman in a contested three-way race[6].
Rock Ridge mayor (2004)
Young narrowly secured a plurality of votes and was elected as the next mayor[7]. As mayor, Young worked to pass municipal, welfare, and education reform; including a re-work of the city property tax system[8], an increase in city grants and funding to education, health, and welfare establishments, setting up several shelters and organizations for the unemployed, uninsured, elderly, and homeless[9], and renewing of city infrastructure in the form of repairing roads, bridges, and revitalizing the historic downtown district after de-privatizing much of the municipal government[10]. Young also helped repeal the balanced budget ordinance[11], which opened the way for the city to increase funding for Young's newly expanded programs.
With mixed popularity, Young resigned from her mayoral position in December 2004 after she had come to the conclusion to drop her political duties as a way to revitalize her spiritual standing[12]. She appointed Jessica Lopez as her replacement, who worked to continue much of the work Young had done and implement many of her policies[13].
Missionary service
Young decided to serve a full-time, 18-month, proselyting mission for the Church of Jesus Christ in Tanzania[14], where she learned Swahili, which she still speaks fluently[15]. During her mission, Young's political beliefs and philosophy were reshaped by her interactions with poverty, violence, and the local economy and culture[16].
After returning from her mission, Young attended Brigham Young University (BYU) in 2006 before transferring to BYU-Hawaii, where she graduated early in 2009 and earned a BA in political science and a minor in public management[17].
Following her mission and post-secondary education, Young self-identified as an independent[18] and as a liberal centrist[19]. She currently identifies as a "sometimes moderate-socialist," having been shaped by her various views and beliefs over her life.
State senate (2010-2014)
Young launched her main political career by running for state senator in her home district in the state of California. Running as under the moderate Federalist party, she won a plurality of votes in a primarily three-way race between Federalist incumbent Ben Waight and Reformist Chuck Mason[20].
During her tenure in the senate, Young became well-known state-wide for her ambitious plans, bipartisanship, unifying ability, and refusal to back down[21]. She focused extensively on increasing worker's and women's protections and business regulation, especially within the agricultural sector with large amounts of Latinx workers. Young helped spearhead legislation that called for greater government protection of small agricultural businesses with majority Latinx workers and co-authored the bi-partisan Minority Agricultural Business Protection Act in 2013 with Reformist minority leader Catherina Gonzalez[22]. The legislation was used as a model by Congress and Young in 2020 for bills addressing agricultural protection and control, worker's rights, employment discrimination, and minority protections.
Young sponsored, co-sponsored, and helped pass legislation with regard to equitable rights for women and minorities, greater worker protections and safety nets, improved welfare and unemployment systems, increased and streamlined state grant systems, protections for agricultural businesses, and integration of undocumented immigrants into the state. She backed environmental legislation and, in 2012, joined 46 other senators in petitioning the governor to act on and prepare for water shortages[23].
On 18 January 2014 Young and a coalition of 21 Reformists and three other Federalists staged a walkout protest in response to the Federalist-controlled Senate purposefully subverting and preventing a climate change bill, which Young endorsed, from leaving committee and going to a floor vote[24]. The bill would have had the State of California recognize the impacts of climate change on its agricultural industry, would set up a committee to advise the governor on climate change and environment-related issues, and would declare a state of emergency over climate change. The walkout protest was attended by around 200-230 additional protesters[25] and gained coverage by several national news outlets[26]. While the event made Young more nationally recognized, it did little to change public perception on the issue of climate change at the time[27].
Young only served one term in the state senate as her moderate popularity and political goals led her to run for Congress rather than secure reelection on the state level. Young thought about running to represent California's 4th congressional district in 2012 but decided not to challenge incumbent Mark Jensen, one of the most influential Federalists in Congress[28]. Young entered office with an approval rating of roughly 38% and left with an approval rating of around 57%, with her approval fluctuating between 50-60% throughout most of her term[29].
Federal politics
Representative (2014-2020)
In 2013 Jensen announced he would not seek reelection after eight terms in office. Young and eight other candidates participated in one of the largest and most competitive House primaries in the nation[30]. Young was endorsed by Jensen[31] and won with a plurality of votes in the primary. In the general election she ran on a campaign of rooting our corruption in the House and won against Reformist Terri Johnson, who later became the Secretary of Health and Welfare under Young's administration.
2014-2015
In the House, Young quickly rose in popularity as the endorsed replacement of one of the Federalist's most influential members. Her commencement speech in the House garnered national attention as she called attention to the large and inefficient government bureaucracy and large amounts of corruption in the legislative and judicial branches. She affirmed her committment to streamlining government proccesses and countering corrupt officials. Her anti-bureaucracy and anti-corruption stances helped her gain national popularity[32].
2016-2017
2018-2019
2020
Young authored legislation to increase and streamline welfare and unemployment benefits, increase federal subsidies, research, and regulation for agriculture and healthcare, and integrate illegal immigrants into the country while strengthening border security. Young faced scrutiny from other moderate Federalists for "socialist-leaning" beliefs in eliminating the death penalty, dramatically increasing taxes on the wealthy, increasing government funding and control over education and healthcare, strengthening LGBTQIA+ protections, reworking the marriage and adoption systems, and increasing rights and representation for women and racial minorities. Young switched to the more liberal and socially-minded Reform party in 2015 but continued to win general elections in her historically Federalist district.
In 2016, Young became the majority leader in the House of Representatives. Young helped push through much of her legislation including expanded mandatory paid maternity leave, rights of same-sex couples to adopt and foster children, increased control over agricultural businesses, increased tariffs on agricultural and electronic products, higher taxes on tobacco, alcohol, and gasoline, increased use of renewable energy, reworked tax breaks for married couples, children, electric vehicles, and solar panels, increased funding for college and PreK-12 schools, strengthened border security, streamlining of wasteful, inefficient, and corrupt government programs, reduction in government spying abilities in the name of counter-terrorism and safety, increased fiscal responsibility, and increased aid to underdeveloped nations. Due to Federalist influence in the Senate and control of the Executive Branch, however, none of Young's sponsored and authored legislation passed; although she found increased popularity in the eyes of the public for her resiliency and failure to comply with government norms[33].
Speaker of the House (2018-2020)
2020 presidential campaign
Presidency (2020-present)
Inauguration
2020
Economic growth
2021
2022
Political positions
International trade
Education
Healthcare
State-owned industry
Women's and minority rights
LGBTQIA+ Rights
Religious freedom
Crime
Electoral history
2004
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deseret Union | Nicole A. Young | 7,950 | 34.7 | |
| Independent | Donald McDonough | 7,927 | 34.6 | |
| Federalist | Joseph Zatos | 7,034 | 30.7 | |
| Total votes | 22,911 | 100.0 | ||
2010
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federalist | Nicole A. Young | 18,890 | 33.7 | |
| Federalist | Ben Waight | 18,721 | 33.4 | |
| Reform | Chuck Mason | 87,441 | 32.9 | |
| Total votes | 56,052 | 100.0 | ||
2014
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federalist | Nicole A. Young | 4,979 | 21.5 | |
| Federalist | Matthew Miles | 3,312 | 14.3 | |
| Federalist | Pennee Curtis | 3,288 | 14.2 | |
| Federalist | Lisa August | 3,173 | 13.7 | |
| Federalist | Jacob Karowski | 3,149 | 13.6 | |
| Federalist | April Files | 2,362 | 10.2 | |
| Federalist | Jung Tin | 1,482 | 6.4 | |
| Federalist | Stannis Young | 926 | 4.0 | |
| Federalist | Josefina Meyer | 486 | 2.1 | |
| Total votes | 23,157 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Federalist | Nicole A. Young | 48,301 | 58.4 | |
| Reform | Terri Johnson | 32,916 | 39.8 | |
| Independent | Kacyee Tougee | 1,488 | 1.8 | |
| Total votes | 82,705 | 100.0 | ||
2016
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reform | Nicole A. Young | 16,215 | 89.9 | |
| Reform | Saul Kyrk | 1,822 | 10.1 | |
| Total votes | 18,037 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reform | Nicole A. Young | 51,014 | 54.7 | |
| Federalist | Pennee Curtis | 39,916 | 42.8 | |
| Independent | Saul Kyrk | 2,331 | 2.5 | |
| Total votes | 93,261 | 100.0 | ||
2018
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reform | Nicole A. Young | 21,638 | 100.0 | |
| Total votes | 21,638 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reform | Nicole A. Young | 50,659 | 61.4 | |
| Federalist | Alejandro Taitum | 31,105 | 37.7 | |
| Independent | Cecil B. Abrams | 743 | 0.9 | |
| Total votes | 82,507 | 100.0 | ||
2019
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reform | Nicole A. Young | 45,577 | 68.3 | |
| Federalist | Matthew Miles | 21,154 | 31.7 | |
| Total votes | 66,731 | 100.0 | ||
Personal life
Nicole Young attended Brigham Young University and Graduated from BYU-Hawaii in 2009. She married John Macky while she served in the California State Senate on 14 May 2013[43]. She currently has three children: twins Susan Jannice and Emma Smith (b. 2016) and Ephraim Hadley (b. 2018) [44]. Young is fluent in Swahili and Spanish [45]. She and her family are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
References
- ↑ "Filler 17"
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