Jesse Young

Jesse L. Young is an American politician who serves as a member of the Washington House of Representatives, representing the 26th District.

Born in Boise, Idaho, Young was raised in the Hilltop neighborhood of Tacoma, Washington, where he spent some of his childhood homeless. Young eventually graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and was accepted to the University of Notre Dame. In college, Young competed on the track team as a pole vaulter and worked in the dining hall to pay his tuition. In 1999, Young earned a bachelor's degree in Management Information Systems from the Mendoza College of Business.

Young began his career as an IT consultant for major corporations before entering state government. Young was appointed to the Washington House of Representatives on January 17, 2014 to succeed Jan Angel following the latter's election to the Washington State Senate. Young is a member of the Republican Party.

Controversy

In a letter dated December 13, 2016, Young was informed by an attorney for the Washington House of Representatives that he was being restricted from interacting directly with his legislative assistants and was no longer eligible to have a district office for the period of one year. The letter stated that the actions were taken as a result of "credible and serious" allegations of a "pattern of hostile and intimidating behavior." Legislative aides and other colleagues alleged that this behavior included "screaming fits," "meltdowns," and "crude references to the female anatomy." The letter further stated that the restrictions might be removed if Young were to complete an anger management training program, a management training program, and respectful workplace training.

Young lives with his wife and five children in Gig Harbor, Washington.