Speedway

Pat Young

Pat Young
Pat Young's official portrait
Official portrait, 2015
Member of the Baltimore County Council from the 1st district
Assumed office
December 5, 2022
Preceded byTom Quirk
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 44B district
In office
January 14, 2015 – December 5, 2022
Serving with Sheila Ruth
Preceded byKeiffer Mitchell Jr.
Succeeded byAletheia McCaskill
Personal details
Born (1983-04-20) April 20, 1983 (age 41)
Catonsville, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Children2
Alma materTowson University
WebsiteCampaign website
Military service
AllegianceUnited States
Branch/serviceU.S. Marine Corps
Years of service2001–2005
RankSergeant
Unit1st Battalion, 8th Marines
Battles/wars

Patrick G. Young Jr. (born April 20, 1983) is an American politician who has served a member of the Baltimore County Council representing the first district since 2022. A member of the Democratic Party, he was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates in District 44B from 2015 to 2022.

Early life and career

Young was born in Catonsville, Maryland,[1] and grew up in Woodbridge Valley. He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America Troop 140[2] and graduated from Mount Saint Joseph High School in 2001,[1] afterwards enlisting in the U.S. Marine Corps Infantry (1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment) and serving through two combat tours in Iraq as well as a humanitarian mission to Liberia.[3] Young fought in the Second Battle of Fallujah, during which his unit lost 21 men, including his two best friends,[2] but received a combat promotion for actions rendered during the battle in November 2004.[4]

After returning home, Young attended Towson University on the GI Bill,[5][6] where he founded the Student Veterans Group of Towson and earned three bachelor's degrees (political science, religious studies, and philosophy).[3] In 2010, he was hired by Towson as the coordinator of veterans services.[7] In 2011, Young was appointed by Governor Martin O'Malley to the Maryland Veterans Commission.[8]

House Speaker Michael E. Busch with Young, 2015

Maryland House of Delegates

In May 2013, Young announced he would run for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 44B, seeking to succeed state delegate Shirley Nathan-Pulliam, who announced a run for Maryland Senate in 2014.[3] He won the Democratic primary with 22.9 percent of the vote, edging out his opponent by 34 votes and coming in second place behind incumbent state delegate Charles E. Sydnor III.[9] Young and Sydnor defeated Republican Michael Russell in the general election.[10]

Young was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 14, 2015. He was a member of the Appropriations Committee during his entire tenure, including as the chair of the personnel oversight subcommittee from 2019 to 2022.[1] From December 2018 to 2022, he served as the chair of the Baltimore County Delegation.[11]

Baltimore County Council

Young speaking at a town hall, 2023

In May 2021, Young announced that he would not seek re-election to the House of Delegates in 2022, instead opting to run for the Baltimore County Council, seeking the seat held by outgoing councilmember Tom Quirk.[12][13] In March 2022, he was endorsed by county executive Johnny Olszewski.[14] Young won the Democratic primary with 43.8 percent of the vote,[15] and later won the general election on November 8, 2022, with 63.4 percent of the vote over his opponent.[16]

Young was sworn in on December 5, 2022.[1] On the county council, Young gained a reputation as a stickler for law and order, policy, and procedure, pushing for county council meetings to be posted a few days in advance and for his colleagues to submit amendments to bills a few days before hearings so that everyone could review their proposals.[2]

On February 27, 2025, Young announced that he would run for Baltimore County Executive in 2026, seeking to succeed Kathy Klausmeier, who pledged not to run for re-election after being appointed county executive in January 2025. If elected, Young would be the first person from Catonsville to be elected county executive.[2]

Political positions

During his 2014 House of Delegates campaign, Young said he supported using eminent domain to take ownership of vacant properties.[17]

During the 2015 legislative session, Young introduced a bill that would provide dependents of military veterans access to in-state tuition rates at Maryland colleges and universities.[18]

In November 2019, Young endorsed South Bend mayor Pete Buttigieg for president.[19][20] In January 2020, Young filed to run for delegate to the Democratic National Convention, pledged to Buttigieg.[21][22]

In August 2020, Young joined a demonstration in front of the home of U.S. postmaster general Louis DeJoy, which was organized amid allegations that DeJoy was limiting mail-in voting ahead of the 2020 United States presidential election.[23] In December 2020, Young joined ShutDown DC organizers in defending Black Lives Matter Plaza from the Proud Boys, a neo-fascist and white supremacist organization that tried to make their way past police lines and into the plaza throughout the day.[24]

During the 2021 legislative session, Young introduced a bill that would establish an Office on Climate Change within the governor's office, which would be tasked with implementing the recommendations of the Maryland Commission on Climate Change.[25]

During the 2022 legislative session and following a cyberattack against the Maryland Department of Health, Young introduced legislation that would offer increased protections to state and local government online networks.[26][27] All three bills passed and were signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan on May 12, 2022.[28]

Personal life

Young is married[1] and has two sons.[2]

Electoral history

Maryland House of Delegates District 44B Democratic primary election, 2014[29]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Charles E. Sydnor III 3,849 23.4
Democratic Pat Young 3,763 22.9
Democratic Aaron J. Barnett 3,729 22.7
Democratic Rainier Harvey 2,936 17.9
Democratic Bishop Barry Chapman 1,605 9.8
Democratic Frederick D. Ware-Newsome 535 3.3
Maryland House of Delegates District 44B election, 2014[30]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Charles E. Sydnor, III 16,314 41.8
Democratic Pat Young 16,013 41.0
Republican Michael J. Russell 6,622 17.0
Write-in 109 0.2
Maryland House of Delegates District 44B election, 2018[31]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Pat Young 24,226 55.4
Democratic Charles E. Sydnor, III 19,082 43.6
Write-in 418 1.0
Baltimore County Council District 1 Democratic primary election, 2022[32]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Pat Young 5,734 43.8
Democratic Paul Dongarra 4,957 37.9
Democratic Danielle Nicole Singley 2,398 18.3
Baltimore County Council District 1 election, 2022[33]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Pat Young 23,525 67.8
Republican Albert Nalley 11,138 32.1
Write-in 59 0.2

References

  1. ^ a b c d e "Patrick G. Young, Jr., County Council, Baltimore County, Maryland". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. January 6, 2023. Retrieved January 30, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e Kobell, Rona (February 27, 2025). "Councilman Pat Young launches campaign for Baltimore County executive". The Baltimore Banner. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  3. ^ a b c Baughman, Julie (May 28, 2013). "Marine Corps vet to run for District 44B delegate". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  4. ^ Davenport, Christian (November 11, 2005). "The Fog After the War". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  5. ^ Kay, Liz (March 2, 2006). "Easing the transition from combat zone to college". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  6. ^ Swick, Carson (February 27, 2025). "Pat Young announces 2026 campaign for Baltimore County executive". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  7. ^ Brown, Matthew Hay (November 10, 2012). "Young veterans easing back into life after war". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  8. ^ Loricchio, Lauren (March 25, 2015). "Veterans welcome the state-wide recognition of service in Vietnam". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  9. ^ Loricchio, Lauren (July 8, 2014). "Pat Young wins second Democratic spot in general election for state delegate from District 44B". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  10. ^ Loricchio, Lauren (November 5, 2014). "Charles Sydnor and Pat Young to represent District 44B". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  11. ^ Wood, Pamela (December 18, 2018). "Del. Pat Young to lead Baltimore County delegation in Annapolis". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  12. ^ Kurtz, Josh (May 10, 2021). "Del. Pat Young to Seek Baltimore County Council Seat". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  13. ^ DeVille, Taylor (May 10, 2021). "Del. Pat Young says he will run for open Baltimore County Council seat". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 13, 2021.
  14. ^ Kurtz, Josh; Leckrone, Bennett (March 3, 2022). "Political Notes: Hogan's Daughter Takes on Ex-Boss, Dem Unity (Almost) in District 1, and More". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  15. ^ Knezevich, Alison (July 25, 2022). "Winners declared in two Baltimore County Council races, but state's attorney race still unsettled. Here's where ballot-counting stands". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  16. ^ DeVille, Taylor (November 9, 2022). "Democrats Mike Ertel, Pat Young win races for open Baltimore County Council seats; Marks declares reelection victory". Baltimore Banner. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  17. ^ Loricchio, Lauren (May 9, 2014). "District 44B candidates address residents' issues at Edmondson Heights forum". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  18. ^ Norris, Heather (April 13, 2015). "Delegates reflect on first term representing Catonsville area". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  19. ^ Kurtz, Josh (November 1, 2019). "Buttigieg Rolls Out List of Md. Endorsements". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  20. ^ Barker, Jeff (December 12, 2019). "Pete Buttigieg holds Baltimore fundraiser and receives Lamar Jackson jersey". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  21. ^ Kurtz, Josh (January 27, 2020). "No Surprise: Biden Is Dem Establishment Choice, Convention Filings Show". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  22. ^ "Official 2020 Presidential Primary Election results for Male Delegates to the Democratic National Convention". elections.marlyand.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. February 7, 2020. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  23. ^ Armus, Teo (August 17, 2020). "As the House demands an interview with Postal Service chief Louis DeJoy, protesters picket his homes". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  24. ^ Heim, Joe; Lang, Marissa (December 28, 2020). "For D.C. protests, Proud Boys settle in at city's oldest hotel and its bar". The Washington Post. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  25. ^ Shwe, Elizabeth (February 3, 2021). "Bills Would Require State Agencies to Consider Climate Change in Key Decisions and Operations". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  26. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (March 2, 2022). "Lawmakers Introduce Bills to Bolster State Cybersecurity". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  27. ^ Sears, Bryan (March 2, 2022). "Maryland House leaders look to improve state and local cybersecurity systems". The Daily Record. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  28. ^ Gaskill, Hannah (May 12, 2022). "Hogan Signs Cybersecurity, Public Health, Transportation Bills into Law". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 16, 2022.
  29. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. July 16, 2014.
  30. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. February 12, 2014.
  31. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. November 12, 2018.
  32. ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for Baltimore County". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. August 24, 2022.
  33. ^ "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for Baltimore County". elections.maryland.gov. Maryland State Board of Elections. December 7, 2022.