David Young (Iowa politician)

David Edmund Young (born May 11, 1968) is an American politician who served as the U.S. Representative for Iowa's 3rd congressional district from 2015 to 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he is a native and resident of Van Meter, a western suburb of Des Moines. He was first elected in 2014 and reelected in 2016; he lost reelection in 2018 to Democrat Cindy Axne. Young challenged Axne in 2020 to regain his old seat, but he was unsuccessful.

David Young
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Iowa's 3rd district
In office January 3, 2015 – January 3, 2019
Preceded by	Tom Latham
Succeeded by	Cindy Axne
Personal details
Born	David Edmund Young May 11, 1968 Van Meter, Iowa, U.S.
Political party	Republican
Education	Drake University (BA)

Career

Young attended Drake University and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. From 2006 to 2013, he served as the chief of staff to Iowa Republican senator Chuck Grassley. He was previously chief of staff to Kentucky senator Jim Bunning from 1998 to 2006.[1][2][3]

U.S. House of Representatives

2014 election

The Republican nomination was decided by a convention after none of the six candidates reached the 35 percent threshold required to make the general election ballot. This was the second time in 50 years that a convention picked a nominee and the first time since 2002.[4] A poll conducted by the conservative website Caffeinated Thoughts of 118 of the 513 delegates was conducted on June 9–10, 2014. Young and Brad Zaun took 27% each.[5]

On June 21, 2014, in what was described by the Des Moines Register as a "stunning upset", Young won the nomination on the fifth ballot of the convention.[6] Young went on to defeat Democrat Staci Appel 53% to 42% in the 2014 general election.[7]

2016 election

Map showing the results of the 2016 election in Iowa's Third congressional district by County

Young ran for re-election in 2016. He defeated Joe Grandanette in the Republican primary, which took place on June 7, 2016.[8][9] He then defeated Democrat Jim Mowrer in the general election, winning 54% of the vote.[10]

2018 election

Young ran for reelection in 2018. He was unopposed in the Republican Party primary. In the November 2018 general election, he was defeated by Democrat Cindy Axne of nearby West Des Moines. Axne won 49% of the vote to Young's 47.5%, with four different third-party candidates winning the remaining 3.5% of the vote.[11]

2020 election

Young was the Republican nominee in the 2020 election to represent Iowa's 3rd congressional district in the U.S. House. He challenged incumbent Democrat Cindy Axne, who defeated Young in the 2018 election. However, he was again unsuccessful. [12]

Tenure

Young was sworn into office on January 3, 2015.

He was a member of the Republican Main Street Partnership[13] and the Veterinary Medicine Caucus.[14]

In April 2015, Young joined the Southwest Iowa Housing Trust Fund to announce over $530,000 in affordable housing grants from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines (FHLB Des Moines) Strong Communities Fund. The grants would assist nearly 100 residents with key home repairs.[15]

During the January 2018 government shutdown, Young remained in Washington, canceled town hall meetings, and, in solidarity with government employees who were going unpaid during the shutdown, refused to accept his own salary. “I'm disappointed and I can't believe that Congress is getting paid during this time right now,” he said. “The people working hard every day in the military, for our federal government, should not be blamed for this.”[16]

Committee assignments

• Committee on Appropriations
  • Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
  • Subcommittee on Homeland Security
  • Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies

Political positions

LGBT issues

In May 2016, he voted to approve a measure aimed at upholding an executive order that bars discrimination against LGBT employees by federal contractors.[17]

Veterans

In 2016, Young sponsored the "No Veterans Crisis Line Call Should Go Unanswered Act" aimed at reducing suicides of veterans. The bill passed the U.S. House unanimously.[18]

Health care

Young voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) in 2015.[19]

Young opposed the original March 2017 Republican effort to repeal Obamacare. When the effort ended in March 2017 with the withdrawal of the GOP health-care legislation from further consideration, Young praised Trump and the party leaders for this action and called for everyone to join anew in “a thoughtful and deliberate process that takes the time and input to get this right to achieve accessible, affordable quality healthcare for every American.”[20]

Young supported the second 2017 Republican effort to repeal Obamacare. On May 4, 2017, Young voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act. This second repeal effort narrowly passed the House 217-213, but failed in the Senate.[21][22] The repeal bill that Young voted for would have made it possible for states to allow insurers to raise health care premiums for individuals with preexisting conditions who did not have continuous coverage.[22] At the same time as he sought to repeal the Affordable Care Act, Young pushed for an amendment intended to assist those with preexisting conditions who saw their premiums rise; many health policy analysts have questioned whether it would have succeeded in doing so.[23][22]

In September 2017, Young supported the refunding of the Children's Health Insurance Program.[24]

Tax reform

Young supports tax reform and voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017.[25] He said he believed the bill would provide tax relief to Iowans.[26]

In April 2018, he voted for a Balanced Budget Amendment. In June 2018, Young voted for H.R. 3, the Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act, also known as the rescission package.

Tariffs

In September 2017, Young was part of a six-member bipartisan delegation that traveled to China to discuss agriculture, North Korea, the South China Sea, energy, and cybersecurity with Chinese officials. “The continued potential for growth in exports to China for Iowa’s products is of great importance to job and economic growth for the state,” said Young. In April 2018, Young told an interviewer that while he agreed with President Trump's belief in the need for “regulatory relief and common-sense regulatory reform and tax relief,” he and many of his constituents believe that “tariffs are taxes,” and are therefore “going to hurt consumers, going to hurt employers.”[27][28]

Immigration

In January 2018, Young reiterated support for permanent legal status for so-called DREAMers, saying that he would vote for a measure giving them residency while also improving border security. “I want to find a way for those people to be here legally and stay here without fear of deportation,” Young said, but added that he was “not quite there on citizenship” for immigrants covered by DACA. He acknowledged that might support a citizenship guarantee if it was tied to enhanced border security or immigration controls.[29]

Foreign policy

Young supported the 2017 Shayrat missile strike.[30]

Israel

Young, a strong supporter of Israel, visited that country in August 2017 to meet with Israeli and Palestinian leaders and to tour the nation. Young stated: “I look forward to further understanding the unique challenges the people of Israel, and the entire region, face as we work to pursue and achieve policies which will provide security and stability in a region where we have long prayed for peace.”[31]

Abortion

Young opposes using federal funds to pay for abortions. He does not believe Planned Parenthood should receive federal funding. He does "believes in women’s access to healthcare and contraceptives" with the organization relying on outside funding to achieve these ends.[30]

Drug policy

In 2016, Young co-sponsored the Compassionate Access, Research Expansion, and Respect States Act (CARERS Act). The CARERS Act is a marijuana policy reform which would reschedule cannabis to allow it to be researched and would permit states with medical marijuana programs to operate without federal interference.[32]

Electoral history

2014

2014 Republican primary results[33]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Brad Zaun	10,522	24.7
	Republican	Robert Cramer	9,032	21.2
	Republican	Matt Schultz	8,464	19.9
	Republican	Monte Shaw	7,220	17.0
	Republican	David Young	6,604	15.5
	Republican	Joe Grandanette	661	1.6
	Republican	Write-ins	42	0.1
Total votes			42,545	100

Iowa Republican Convention, 2014[34]
Candidate	Round 1		Round 2		Round 3		Round 4		Round 5
David Young	86	(16.8%)	81	(15.8%)	102	(19.9%)	171	(33.3%)	276	(53.8%)
Brad Zaun	130	(25.3%)	157	(30.6%)	188	(36.6%)	206	(40.2%)	221	(43.1%)
Monte Shaw	118	(23%)	122	(23.8%)	126	(24.6%)	120	(23.4%)	—
Matt Schultz	95	(18.5%)	88	(17.2%)	85	(16.6%)	—
Robert Cramer	75	(14.6%)	60	(11.7%)	—
Joe Grandanette	7	(1.4%)	2	(0.4%)	—
Exhausted ballots	2	(0.4%)	3	(0.6%)	12	(2.3%)	16	(3.1%)	16	(3.1%)
Total	513	(100%)	513	(100%)	513	(100%)	513	(100%)	513	(100%)

Iowa's 3rd congressional district general election, 2014[35]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	David Young	148,814	52.8
	Democratic	Staci Appel	119,109	42.2
	Libertarian	Edward Wright	9,054	3.2
	No party preference	Bryan Jack Holder	4,360	1.5
	Write-ins		729	0.3
Total votes			282,066	100
	Republican hold

2016

2016 Republican primary results[36]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	David Young	17,977	85.2
	Republican	Joe Grandanette	3,143	14.8
	Republican	Write-ins	85	0.1
Total votes			21,143	100

Iowa's 3rd congressional district general election, 2016[37]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	David Young (incumbent)	208,240	53.5
	Democratic	Jim Mowrer	154,754	39.8
	Libertarian	Bryan Jack Holder	15,327	3.9
	No party preference	Claudia Addy	6,335	1.6
	No party preference	Joe Grandanette	4,511	1.2
Total votes			389,167	100
	Republican hold

2018

2018 Republican primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	David Young (incumbent)	21,471	98.95
	Republican	Write-ins	228	1.05
Total votes			21,699	100

Iowa's 3rd congressional district general election, 2018

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Cindy Axne	175,642	49.3
	Republican	David Young (incumbent)	167,933	47.1
	Libertarian	Bryan Holder	7,267	2.0
	Legal Marijuana Now	Mark Elworth Jr.	2,015	0.6
	Green	Paul Knupp	1,888	0.5
	Independent	Joe Grandanette	1,301	0.4
	n/a	Write-ins	195	0.1
Total votes			356,241	100.0
	Democratic gain from Republican

2020

2020 Republican primary results

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	David Young	39,103	69.5
	Republican	Bill Schafer	16,904	30.1
	Republican	Write-ins	227	0.4
Total votes			56,234	100.0

Iowa 3rd congressional district general election, 2020

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Cindy Axne (incumbent)	219,205	48.9
	Republican	David Young	212,997	47.6
	Libertarian	Brian Jack Holder	15,361	3.4
	n/a	Write-ins	384	0.1
Total votes			447,947	100.0
	Democratic hold

Personal life

Young is unmarried. He is a non-denominational Christian and lives in Van Meter.[1]

References

1. "Iowa Election 2014". Des Moines Register. 9 May 2014.
2. "Grassley aide weighs Senate run". POLITICO.
3. "Senate hopeful David Young previews campaign kick off today in Van Meter - The Iowa Republican". Archived from the original on 2014-11-05. Retrieved 2014-11-05.
4. Petroski, William. "Iowa's 3rd Congressional District GOP race heads to convention". Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on 5 June 2014. Retrieved 4 June 2014.
5. "David Young, Brad Zaun Lead Iowa 3rd District Delegate Poll". Caffeinated Thoughts. 14 June 2014. Retrieved 26 July 2014.
6. Petroski, William (21 June 2014). "David Young wins 3rd District GOP nomination in stunning upset". The Des Moines Register. Archived from the original on 23 June 2014. Retrieved 23 June 2014.
7. Petroski, William (November 5, 2014). "Young wins in Iowa's 3rd District race for Congress". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
8. Pathé, Simone (August 14, 2015). "Democrats Courting 'Gold Standard' to Unseat Young in Iowa". Roll Call. Retrieved 26 February 2016.
9. "Republican lines up to primary Young in Third District". The Iowa Statesman. July 28, 2015. Retrieved 28 April 2016.
10. Yokley, Eli (June 8, 2016). "House Republicans: Vulnerable Incumbents Have 'Head Start' in Iowa". Morning Consult. Retrieved 8 June 2016.
11. "Iowa Election Results: Third House District". New York Times. Retrieved 30 November 2018.
12. Coltrain, Nick (June 2, 2020). "David Young wins GOP nominations for Des Moines congressional seat, Ashley Hinson gets nod for northeast Iowa race". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
13. "Members". Republican Mains Street Partnership. Archived from the original on 26 August 2018. Retrieved 4 October 2017.
14. "Members of the Veterinary Medicine Caucus". Veterinary Medicine Caucus. Retrieved 12 October 2018.
15. "Congressman David Young Announces $532,000 in Housing Grants for Southwest Iowa". 8 April 2015.
16. "Iowa Lawmakers React to Government Shutdown, Some Not Accepting Paychecks". WHOtv. 21 January 2018.
17. Noble, Jason (May 26, 2016). "David Young votes 'yes' on new LGBT anti-discrimination bill". Des Moines Register. Associated Press. Retrieved 31 May 2016.
18. Petroski, Willia (October 4, 2016). "Allegations fly over Young's stalled vets' suicide hotline bill". The Des Moines Register. Retrieved 20 October 2016.
19. "Fact check: Did Rep. David Young try to protect people with pre-existing conditions?". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2018-10-12.
20. Noble, Jason (24 March 2017). "Iowa's GOP congressmen hopeful after failure of health care bill". Des Moines Register.
21. "How every member voted on health care bill". CNN. Retrieved 2017-05-04.
22. "Fact check: Did Rep. David Young try to protect people with pre-existing conditions?". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 2018-11-04.
23. "Young, Axne Debate In Tight Race For Iowa's 3rd Congressional District". October 12, 2018.
24. Discher, Anne (13 September 2017). "Congress must extend CHIP to ensure health care for kids; Des Moines Register".
25. Almukhtar, Sarah (19 December 2017). "How Each House Member Voted on the Tax Bill". The New York Times. Retrieved 26 December 2017.
26. Peterson, Mike. "Ernst, Young hail tax bill's passage". KMAland.com. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
27. Lynch, James (July 5, 2018). "Iowa congressional delegation calls on Trump to avoid trade war". Post Bulletin.
28. "GOP Iowa Rep. Young Argues Tariffs Will Harm Overall Economy". NPR. April 5, 2018.
29. Noble, Jason (26 January 2018). "Immigration tops discussion at two forums with U.S. Rep. David Young". Des Moines Register.
30. Godden, Paige. "Congressman Young questioned on Syria, Planned Parenthood". Des Moines Register. Retrieved 27 December 2017.
31. Morton, Joseph (16 August 2017). "After trip to Israel, Reps. Don Bacon and David Young encourage support of country". Omaha World Herald.
32. "David Young in Support of Bill to Provide Better Access to Medical Marijuana". who13.com. 12 July 2016.
33. "OFFICIAL RESULTS June 3, 2014 Primary Election". Iowa Secretary of State. Archived from the original on June 8, 2014. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
34. "Shocker: David Young wins GOP Nomination on Fifth Ballot". The Iowa Republican. Archived from the original on 30 July 2014. Retrieved 29 July 2014.
35. "Iowa General Election 2014". Iowa Secretary of State. 2014-11-04. Archived from the original on 2014-12-13. Retrieved 2014-12-19.
36. "Canvass Summary Primary Election" (PDF). Iowa Secretary of State. Retrieved November 9, 2016.
37. "Elections 2016". Des Moines Register. 2016-11-09. Retrieved 2016-11-09.

External links

• Campaign website
• David Young at Curlie
• Biography at the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress
• Profile at Vote Smart
• Financial information (federal office) at the Federal Election Commission
• Legislation sponsored at the Library of Congress
• Appearances on C-SPAN