Karen Lewis Young

Ronald N. Young

​

(m. 2006)​

Karen Lewis Young
Young in 2020
Member of the Maryland Senate from the 3rd district
Incumbent
Assumed office January 11, 2023
Children	5
Education	Franklin & Marshall College (BA) Columbia University (MA, MBA)
Occupation	Financial services executive
Signature

Karen Lewis Young (born June 21, 1951) is an American politician who has served in the Maryland Senate from District 3 since 2023. She previously served as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates from District 3A from 2015 to 2023.

Early life and career

Lewis Young was born to a Jewish family ^[1] in The Bronx on June 21, 1951, ^[2] and was raised in Montoursville, Pennsylvania. ^[3] She attended Franklin & Marshall College, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history in 1973, and Columbia University, where she earned an Master of Arts degree in American history in 1974 and an Master of Business Administration degree in marketing in 1977. She worked at a variety of financial firms, including Citibank, Capital One, Chase Manhattan Bank, and American Express, from 1996 to 2008 ^[2] and operated her own consulting business, Karen Lewis Market Research, from 2004 to 2006. ^[3]

Lewis Young moved to Frederick, Maryland in 1996 to do direct marketing for Farmers and Mechanics National Bank. ^[3]

In May 2009, Lewis Young announced that she would run for a seat on the Frederick Board of Aldermen, motivated by the 2008 United States presidential election and her community involvement. ^[3] She earned 14.34 percent of the vote in the Democratic primaries ^[4] and 11.57 percent of the vote in the general election. ^[5]

In 2013, Lewis Young unsuccessfully ran for mayor of Frederick, ^[6] earning 31.10 percent of the vote in the general election. ^[7]

In the legislature

Lewis Young in the Education, Energy, and the Environment Committee, 2023

In February 2014, Lewis Young announced that she would for the Maryland House of Delegates, ^[8] seeking to succeed delegate Galen R. Clagett, who was retiring that year. ^[9] She received 34.5 percent of the vote in the Democratic primary election ^[10] and defeated Republican challengers Victoria Wilkins and county commissioner Paul Smith in the general election with 26.3 percent of the vote. ^{[11] [12]}

Lewis Young was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 14, 2015. She was a member of the Health and Government Operations Committee. ^[2] Upon her swearing in, she and her husband Ronald N. Young became the first husband and wife to simultaneously serve together in the Maryland General Assembly. ^[13] Lewis Young was subsequently re-elected to a second term in 2018. ^[14]

Lewis Young participated in the Women's March in Frederick following the inauguration of Donald Trump. ^[15] During the 2020 Democratic Party presidential primaries, she served as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention, pledged to Joe Biden. ^[2]

In June 2021, Lewis Young announced that she would run for Maryland Senate in 2022, seeking to succeed her husband, Ronald, ^[16] who later endorsed her campaign. ^[17] Lewis Young won the Democratic primary on July 19, 2022, defeating county school board member Jay Mason with 68.3 percent of the vote, ^[18] and later defeated Republican Angela Ariel McIntosh in the general election with 66.5 percent of the vote. ^[19]

Lewis Young was sworn into the Maryland Senate on January 11, 2023, becoming the first woman elected to represent western Maryland in the Senate. ^[20] She is a member of the Education, Energy, and Environment Committee. ^[2]

Personal life

Lewis Young met her future husband Ronald N. Young in 2003 when she was working as the Weinberg Center's chairwoman. The couple married in 2006. ^[1] Together, they have five sons, including Blaine Young, a former Republican member of the Frederick County Board of Commissioners; Brad Young, the president of the Frederick County Council as of 2023; and Brian Young, a former member of the Frederick County Democratic Central Committee. ^[9]

Political positions

Education

In December 2015, Lewis Young said she disagreed with Governor Larry Hogan's decision to withhold funding from Maryland's costliest public school systems. ^[21]

During the 2017 legislative session, Lewis Young supported a bill to give the student member of the Frederick County Board of Education partial voting rights. ^[22] She criticized Republican members of the Frederick County Delegation for filibustering the bill ^[23] and, following the bill dying in the Frederick County Delegation, introduced the bill in the General Assembly. ^[24] The bill was reintroduced in 2020. ^[25]

Environment

During the 2023 legislative session, Lewis Young introduced legislation to strengthen the state's EmPOWER energy efficiency program by expanding its scope to include greenhouse gas emissions reductions. ^[26] The bill, which was opposed by state electric utilities companies, died in committee. ^[27]

Health care

During the 2015 legislative session, Lewis Young introduced a bill to encourage the prescription of abuse-deterrent painkillers to combat the heroin epidemic. ^[28] The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan. ^[29] In 2016, she introduced a bill criminalizing the improper prescribing of certain drugs, ^[30] which died in committee. ^[31] In 2019, she supported a bill to create supervised injection sites to prevent drug overdoses. ^[32]

During the 2016 legislative session, Lewis Young introduced a "right to try" bill that would allow terminally ill patients to try medication approved by the Food and Drug Administration but not available to the general public. ^[33] The bill was reintroduced in 2017, during which it passed and became law. ^[34]

During the 2018 legislative session, Lewis Young introduced a bill to ask the federal government to divert money to Maryland used to offset the cost of high-risk patients on the Affordable Care Act's insurance pool, instead using it under a new "reinsurance program" under the Maryland Health Benefit Exchange. The bill passed and became law with Governor Hogan's signature, ^[35] and the plan was approved by federal regulators in August 2018. ^[36]

In 2019, Lewis Young introduced a bill to establish a Patients' Bill of Rights. ^[37] The bill passed and was signed into law by Governor Hogan. ^[38]

In March 2019, Lewis Young voted for the End-of-Life Option Act, which would have provided palliative care to terminally ill adults. ^[39]

During the 2022 legislative session, Lewis Young introduced a bill to protect public health officials and hospital workers from threats, citing harassment directed toward health officials following the COVID-19 pandemic. ^[40]

Minimum wage

During the 2017 legislative session, Lewis Young introduced a bill requiring companies to include salary information in job postings and limit employers' ability to ask job applicants about their salary history. ^[41]

Redistricting

In November 2015, Lewis Young said she supported using an independent redistricting commission to draw Maryland's congressional districts, but said she preferred a "national solution" to gerrymandering. ^[42]

Social issues

Lewis Young supported efforts to repeal "Maryland, My Maryland" as the official state song, ^{[43] [44]} noting in 2021 that the song was adopted during "one of the most racist periods in Maryland". ^[45] She also supported the relocation of the Roger B. Taney Monument at the Maryland State House. ^[46]

During the 2015 legislative session, Lewis introduced a bill to prevent people convicted of animal abuse from adopting or buying a pet. ^[47]

In 2017, Lewis Young introduced a bill requiring the Maryland State Police to create a statewide sexual assault tracking system. ^[48]

In January 2019, Lewis Young was one of nine Maryland lawmakers to add their names to a manifesto signed by 326 state legislators to reaffirm their commitment to protecting abortion rights. ^[49]

During the 2022 legislative session, Lewis Young introduced legislation to start a pilot program for court-ordered mental health treatment. ^[50]

Transportation

Lewis Young supports expanding Interstate 270 ^[21] and increasing public transit options in Maryland. ^[51]

Electoral history

Frederick Board of Alderman Democratic primary election, 2009 ^[4]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Karen Lewis Young	1,563	14.3
	Democratic	Donna Kuzemchak (incumbent)	1,535	14.1
	Democratic	Michael C. O'Connor	1,417	13.0
	Democratic	Carol L. Krimm	1,563	12.9
	Democratic	Kelly Russell	1,386	12.7
	Democratic	Josh Bokee	1,237	11.4
	Democratic	David "Kip" Koontz	1,103	10.1
	Democratic	John Daniels	913	8.4
	Democratic	Andrew Kotkin	344	3.2

Frederick Board of Alderman election, 2009 ^[5]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Karen Lewis Young	3,765	11.6
	Democratic	Michael C. O'Connor	3,573	11.0
	Republican	Shelley M. Aloi	3,481	10.7
	Democratic	Carol L. Krimm	3,418	10.5
	Democratic	Kelly Russell	3,393	10.4
	Republican	C. Paul Smith	3,325	10.2
	Democratic	Donna Kuzemchak (incumbent)	3,235	9.9
	Republican	Alan E. Imhoff	3,229	9.9
	Republican	Amanda K. Haddaway	2,824	8.7
	Republican	W. C. Huckenpoehler	2,267	7.0
	Write-in		30	0.1

Frederick mayoral Democratic primary election, 2013 ^[52]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Karen Lewis Young	1,247	50.2
	Democratic	Galen R. Clagett	991	39.9
	Democratic	Carol A. Hirsch	248	10.0

Frederick mayoral election, 2013 ^[7]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Republican	Randy McClement (incumbent)	4,121	49.6
	Democratic	Karen Lewis Young	2,586	31.1
	Independent	Jennifer Dougherty	1,588	19.1
	Write-in		20	0.2

Maryland House of Delegates District 3A Democratic primary election, 2014 ^[53]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Carol L. Krimm	3,087	36.3
	Democratic	Karen Lewis Young	2,938	34.5
	Democratic	Roger Wilson	1,938	22.8
	Democratic	Nicholas Bouquet	549	6.4

Maryland House of Delegates District 3A election, 2014 ^[54]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Carol L. Krimm	11,654	28.0
	Democratic	Karen Lewis Young	10,944	26.3
	Republican	Paul Smith	9,930	23.9
	Republican	Victoria Wilkins	8,981	21.6
	Write-in		47	0.1

Maryland House of Delegates District 3A election, 2018 ^[55]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Karen Lewis Young (incumbent)	18,725	31.4
	Democratic	Carol L. Krimm (incumbent)	18,705	31.3
	Republican	Mike Bowersox	11,157	18.7
	Republican	James Dvorak	9,568	16.0
	Libertarian	Jeremy Harbaugh	1,492	2.5
	Write-in		64	0.1

Maryland Senate District 3 Democratic primary election, 2022 ^[56]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Karen Lewis Young	8,128	71.0
	Democratic	Jay Mason	3,327	29.0

Maryland Senate District 3 election, 2022 ^[57]

Party		Candidate	Votes	%
	Democratic	Karen Lewis Young	8,128	66.5
	Republican	Angela Ariel McIntosh	13,774	33.4
	Write-in		67	0.2

References

1. Masters, Kate (January 16, 2019). "Beyond the Ballot — Karen Lewis Young". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
2. "Karen Lewis Young, Maryland State Senator". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives . Retrieved October 7, 2023.
3. Behsudi, Adam (May 2, 2009). "Karen Lewis Young, wife of former mayor, to run for alderman". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved January 5, 2022.
4. "City of Frederick, Maryland Primary Election". City of Frederick, Maryland. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
5. "City of Frederick, Maryland General Election". City of Frederick, Maryland. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
6. Bondeson, Jen (November 6, 2013). "Frederick re-elects Mayor Randy McClement". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved January 5, 2022.
7. "City of Frederick, Maryland General Election". City of Frederick, Maryland. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
8. Green, Bill (February 21, 2014). "Photo from Around Town: Young to run for Delegate". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
9. Cox, Erin (May 26, 2014). "For Young family, politics is a pastime". Baltimore Sun . Retrieved January 5, 2022.
10. "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
11. Fifield, Jen (November 5, 2014). "Two former alderwomen to serve as District 3A delegates". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
12. "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
13. Rodgers, Bethany (May 3, 2015). "With session behind them, Youngs reflect on their history-making State House partnership". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 7, 2023.
14. Panuska, Mallory (June 26, 2018). "Delegates Krimm, Lewis Young clinch victories in District 3A primary". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
15. Loos, Kelsi (January 21, 2017). "More than 1,000 protesters descend on downtown Frederick for 'sister march'". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
16. Gaines, Danielle E. (June 26, 2021). "Del. Karen Lewis Young Announces Run for Her Husband's Senate Seat". Maryland Matters . Retrieved January 5, 2022.
17. Gaines, Danielle E. (November 8, 2021). "Frederick Sen. Ron Young Won't Seek Re-Election, Endorses Wife for Seat". Maryland Matters . Retrieved January 5, 2022.
18. Kurtz, Josh (July 22, 2022). "Speaker's preferred candidate leading in open-seat Senate race — plus, other Senate results". Maryland Matters . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
19. Roberts, Angela (November 8, 2022). "Updated: Republicans lead Democrats for three House of Delegates seat in District 4". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
20. Hogan, Jack (January 11, 2023). "Updated: New members take office as General Assembly's 2023 session kicks off". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
21. Jones, Paige (December 4, 2015). "Education funding tops concerns of local business leaders who met with state lawmakers". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
22. Bauer-Wolf, Jeremy; Gaines, Danielle E. (February 3, 2017). "Effort for student board member voting ends with delegation on Friday". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
23. Gaines, Danielle E. (February 9, 2017). "Political Notes: Do Republicans rule? Or obey 'Rules'?". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
24. Gaines, Danielle E. (February 8, 2017). "Democrats introduce student member voting bill after delegation nixed it". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
25. Perera, Katryna (February 7, 2020). "Bill would grant partial voting rights to Frederick County's student school board member". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
26. Kurtz, Josh (January 31, 2023). "Study: Md. will need massive investment in low-income housing retrofits to meet aggressive climate goals". Maryland Matters . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
27. Kurtz, Josh (April 11, 2023). "Beware the invisible hand: Senate panel pulls plug on climate bill quietly opposed by utilities". Maryland Matters . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
28. Rodgers, Bethany (February 11, 2015). "Lewis Young aims to curb heroin epidemic with prescription drug bill". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
29. Rodgers, Bethany (April 10, 2015). "Lewis Young's proposal to deter opioid abuse passes legislature". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
30. Gaines, Danielle E. (December 24, 2015). "Political Notes: What's in a name?". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
31. Gaines, Danielle E. (February 16, 2016). "Bill to curb improper prescriptions fails in House committee". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
32. Hogan, Samantha; Mongillo, Heather (February 14, 2019). "Md. considers safe-injection centers to reduce harm of opioid addiction". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
33. Gaines, Danielle E. (January 29, 2016). "Delegate sponsors right-to-try bill to expand medical access". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
34. Gaines, Danielle E. (September 29, 2017). "A look at new laws taking effect in Maryland on Sunday". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
35. Zorzi, William F. (March 27, 2018). "Bills to Prop Up Health System Start Moving Through Legislature". Maryland Matters . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
36. Kurtz, Josh (August 23, 2018). "Leaders Hail Deal Stabilizing Md. Health Insurance Market — But Dems Want More". Maryland Matters . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
37. Mongillo, Heather (February 6, 2019). "Advocates: Time for patient bill of rights in Maryland". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
38. Hogan, Samantha (April 3, 2019). "Lawmakers advance handgun board repeal to full House". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
39. Hogan, Samantha (March 7, 2019). "Md. House narrowly passes bill allowing medical aid in dying". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
40. Leckrone, Bennett (January 26, 2022). "Lawmakers Consider Bill to Ban Threats Against Health Officials, Hospital Workers". Maryland Matters . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
41. Gaines, Danielle E. (February 14, 2017). "Measure aims at closing pay gap between men, women, minorities". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
42. Fifield, Jen (November 4, 2015). "In gerrymandered county, reaction to statewide redistricting reform split". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
43. Savransky, Rebecca (July 9, 2015). "Frederick delegate submits bill to change Maryland state song". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
44. Gaines, Danielle E. (December 16, 2015). "Advisory group recommends retirement of Maryland's state song". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
45. Gaines, Danielle E. (March 8, 2021). "Democrats on House Committee Vote to Repeal 'Maryland, My Maryland' as an Official State Symbol". Maryland Matters . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
46. Gaines, Danielle E. (February 24, 2016). "Taney statue debated in House committee". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
47. Rodgers, Bethany (January 28, 2015). "Youngs propose bills on animal abuser registry, tethering in extreme weather". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
48. Arias, Jeremy; Gaines, Danielle E. (February 21, 2017). "Lewis Young pushes for tracking system in sexual assault cases". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 7, 2023.
49. Kurtz, Josh (January 23, 2019). "Md. Lawmakers Join Legislators From Across U.S. Vowing to Protect Abortion Rights". Maryland Matters. Retrieved October 8, 2023.
50. Hogan, Jack (March 28, 2022). "Push for assisted outpatient treatment in Frederick County stalls". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 7, 2023.
51. Marshall, Ryan (December 30, 2018). "I-270 lanes will be topic for delegation during Assembly session". Frederick News-Post . Retrieved October 8, 2023.
52. "City of Frederick, Maryland General Election". City of Frederick, Maryland.
53. "Official 2014 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
54. "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
55. "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections.
56. "Official 2022 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections.
57. "Official 2022 Gubernatorial General Election results for State Senator". Maryland State Board of Elections.

External links

• "Members – Senator Karen Lewis Young". mgaleg.maryland.gov. Maryland General Assembly. January 11, 2023. Retrieved January 11, 2023.