A widely respected and dedicated public servant, State Senator Richard Young, Jr. serves as the Senate Democrat Leader and is a leading voice who sets the agenda and fights for issues important to all Hoosiers.
Young entered the State Senate in 1988 when he was appointed to complete the unexpired term of then-Senator Frank O'Bannon. Young was elected to a full-term in 1990 and has been re-elected to five consecutive terms in the Senate.
In 1996, Young was elected Democrat Leader by the Senate Democrat Caucus, a position he has held since.
Over the years, Young has worked on a variety of agricultural, community development, education, labor, health care and fiscal management issues. As Senate Democrat Leader, he has earned praise by utilizing his formidable talents and expertise to forge an effective bridge between the often disparate views of the opposing party.
Young currently serves as the ranking Democrat member on the Senate's Agriculture & Small Business and Rules & Legislative Procedure standing committees and as a member of the Natural Resources Committee. He is also an active member of the Indiana Abraham Lincoln Bicentennial Commission, the Administrative Rules Oversight Commission and the Lobby Registration Commission.
Prior to joining the State Senate, Young was County Auditor of Crawford County for four years and served as the president and board chairman of E&S Distributors, Inc. In addition, Senator Young is owner of Blue River Valley Farms in Milltown.
Young and his late wife, Elaine, have five adult children. His current wife, Ashira, has two adult children. Together, they have seven grandchildren.
Click here for a printable version of Senator Young's bio. (pdf format)
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