Don Young

Don Young
U.S. House, Alaska
Incumbent
In office
1973-Present
Term ends
January 3, 2015
Years in position	40
Party	Republican
Predecessor	Nick Begich (D)
Compensation
Base salary	$174,000/year
Elections and appointments
Last election	November 6, 2012
First elected	March 6, 1973
Next election	November 4, 2014
Term limits	N/A
Prior offices
Alaska State Senate
1970-1973
Alaska House of Representatives
1966-1970
Mayor, Fort Yukon
1964-1966
Education
Bachelor's	Chico State University, 1958
Associate's	Yuba Junior College, 1952
Military service
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1955-1957
Personal
Birthday	June 9, 1933
Place of birth	Meridian, California
Profession	Teacher, Riverboat Captain, Politician
Net worth	$872,504
Religion	Episcopalian
Websites
Office website

Don Young (b. June 9, 1933) is a Republican member of the U.S. House representing Alaska's at-large congressional district. Young was first elected to the House in 1973.

Young most recently won re-election to the U.S. House on November 6, 2012. He defeated John R. Cox and Terre Gales in the August 28, 2012, Republican primary. He then defeated Sharon Cissna (D), Jim McDermott (L) and Ted Gianoutsos (I) in the general election on November 6, 2012.

Young began his political career by serving as Mayor of Fort Yukon, Alaska, from 1960 to 1968. He also served in the [[Alaska House of Representatives from 1966 to 1970. Young then won election to the Alaska State Senate in 1970. He remained a state senator until his election to the U.S. House in 1972.

Based on analysis of multiple outside rankings, Young is a more moderate right of center Republican party vote. As a result, he may break with the Republican Party line more than his fellow members.

Biography

Young was born in Meridian, California. He earned his A.A. from Yuba Junior College in 1952 and his B.A. from California State University in 1958.

Career

Below is an abbreviated outline of Young's academic, professional and political career:

• 1952: Graduated from Yuba Junior College with A.A.
• 1958: Graduated from California State University Chico with B.A.
• 1955-1957: Served in U.S. Army
• 1960-1968: Fort Yukon, Alaska, city council,
• 1960-1968: Mayor of Fort Yukon, Alaska
• 1966-1970: Alaska House of Representatives
• 1970-1973: Alaska State Senate
• 1973-Present: U.S Representative from Alaska

Committee assignments

U.S. House

2013-2014

Young serves on the following committees:

• Natural Resources Committee
  • Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs, Chair
  • Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation
  • Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs
• Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  • Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation
  • Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
  • Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment

2011-2012

Young served on the following committees:

• Natural Resources Committee
  • Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife, Oceans and Insular Affairs
  • Subcommittee on Indian and Alaska Native Affairs, Chair
  • Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands
• Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
  • Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation
  • Subcommittee on Highways and Transit
  • Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment

Issues

Campaign Finance Investigation

On March 19, 2013, the House Ethics Committee appointed an investigative panel to examine charges of misuse of campaign funds that were brought against Young by a former campaign aide. These charges alleged that he had spent money intended for campaigns on hunting trips and charter flights in Alaska. Other charges that are being investigated by the panel include assertions that he took hunting trips between 2001 and 2007 that were funded by an anonymous third party, and which were not properly disclosed under House financial disclosure rules. A spokesman for young stated that he, “has cooperated with the committee and will continue to do so.” The chair selected for the panel was Pennsylvania Republican Rep. Patrick Meehan. The other members of the panel are Texas Republican Rep. William “Mac” Thornberry and Massachusetts Democratic Reps. Michael Capuano and William Keating.

Specific votes

Fiscal Cliff

Young voted for the fiscal cliff compromise bill, which made permanent most of the Bush tax cuts originally passed in 2001 and 2003 while also raising tax rates on the highest income levels. He was one of 85 Republicans that voted in favor of the bill. The bill was passed in the House by a 257/167 vote on January 1, 2013.

Elections

2012

See also: Alaska's at-large congressional district elections, 2012

Young won re-election in the 2012 election for the U.S. House, representing Alaska's at-large District. He defeated John R. Cox and Terre Gales in the August 28, 2012, Republican primary. He then defeated Sharon Cissna (D), Jim McDermott (L) and Ted Gianoutsos (I) in the general election on November 6, 2012.

U.S. House, Alaska, At-Large General Election, 2012
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Don Young	63.9%	185,296
	Democratic	Sharon M. Cissna	28.6%	82,927
	Libertarian	Jim C. McDermott	5.2%	15,028
	NA	Ted Gianoutsos	1.9%	5,589
Total Votes				289,804
Source: Alaska Secretary of State "Official Election Results, 2012 General Election"

U.S. House, Alaska at-large District Republican Primary, 2012
Candidate	Vote %	Votes
Don Young Incumbent	78.6%	58,789
John Cox	14.9%	11,179
Terre Gales	6.5%	4,841
Total Votes		74,809

Full history

To view the full congressional electoral history for Don Young, click [show] to expand the section.

2010 On November 2, 2010, Don Young won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Harry T. Crawford, Jr. (D) in the general election. U.S. House, Alaska At-Large General Election, 2010 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Don Young incumbent 69% 175,384      Democratic Harry T. Crawford, Jr. 30.5% 77,606      N/A Write-in 0.5% 1,345 Total Votes 254,335 2008 On November 4, 2008, Don Young won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Ethan A. Berkowitz (D) and Don R. Wright (Alaskan Independence) in the general election. U.S. House, Alaska At-Large General Election, 2008 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Don Young incumbent 50.1% 158,939      Democratic Ethan A. Berkowitz 45% 142,560      Alaskan Independence Don R. Wright 4.5% 14,274      N/A Write-in 0.4% 1,205 Total Votes 316,978 2006 On November 7, 2006, Don Young won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Diane E. Benson (D), Alexander Crawford (L), Eva L. Ince (G), and William W. Ratigan (Impeach Now) in the general election. U.S. House, Alaska At-Large General Election, 2006 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Don Young incumbent 56.6% 132,743      Democratic Diane E. Benson 40% 93,879      Libertarian Alexander Crawford 1.7% 4,029      Green Eva L. Ince 0.8% 1,819      Impeach Now William W. Ratigan 0.7% 1,615      N/A Write-in 0.2% 560 Total Votes 234,645 2004 On November 2, 2004, Don Young won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Thomas M. Higgins (D), Timothy A. Feller (G), and Alvin A. Anders (L) in the general election. U.S. House, Alaska At-Large General Election, 2004 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Don Young incumbent 71.1% 213,216      Democratic Thomas M. Higgins 22.4% 67,074      Green Timothy A. Feller 3.8% 11,434      Libertarian Alvin A. Anders 2.4% 7,157      N/A Write-in 0.4% 1,115 Total Votes 299,996 2002 On November 5, 2002, Don Young won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Clifford Greene (D), Russell deForest (G), and Rob Clift (L) in the general election. U.S. House, Alaska At-Large General Election, 2002 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Don Young incumbent 74.5% 169,685      Democratic Clifford Greene 17.3% 39,357      Green Russell deForest 6.3% 14,435      Libertarian Rob Clift 1.7% 3,797      N/A Write-in 0.2% 451 Total Votes 227,725 2000 On November 7, 2000, Don Young won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Clifford Mark Greene (D), Anna C. Young (G), Jim Dore (Alaskan Independence), and Leonard J. Karpinski (L) in the general election. U.S. House, Alaska At-Large General Election, 2000 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Don Young incumbent 69.6% 190,862      Democratic Clifford Mark Greene 16.5% 45,372      Green Anna C. Young 8.2% 22,440      Alaskan Independence Jim Dore 3.7% 10,085      Libertarian Leonard J. Karpinski 1.8% 4,802      N/A Write-in 0.3% 832 Total Votes 274,393 1998 On November 3, 1998, Don Young won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Jim Duncan (D) and John J. G. Grames (G) in the general election. U.S. House, Alaska At-Large General Election, 1998 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Don Young incumbent 62.6% 139,676      Democratic Jim Duncan 34.6% 77,232      Green John J. G. Grames 2.7% 5,923      N/A Write-in 0.2% 469 Total Votes 223,300 1996 On November 5, 1996, Don Young won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Georgianna Lincoln (D), William J. Nemec, II (Alaskan Independence), and John J. G. Grames (G) in the general election. U.S. House, Alaska At-Large General Election, 1996 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Don Young incumbent 59.4% 138,834      Democratic Georgianna Lincoln 36.4% 85,114      Alaskan Independence William J. Nemec, II 2.1% 5,017      Green John J. G. Grames 1.9% 4,513      N/A Write-in 0.1% 222 Total Votes 233,700 1994 On November 8, 1994, Don Young won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Tony Smith (D) and Joni Whitmore (G) in the general election. U.S. House, Alaska At-Large General Election, 1994 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Don Young incumbent 56.9% 118,537      Democratic Tony Smith 32.7% 68,172      Green Joni Whitmore 10.2% 21,277      N/A Write-in 0.1% 254 Total Votes 208,240 1992 On November 3, 1992, Don Young won re-election to the United States House. He defeated John Devens (D), Michael States (Alaskan Independence), and Mike Milligan (G) in the general election. U.S. House, Alaska At-Large General Election, 1992 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Don Young incumbent 46.8% 111,849      Democratic John Devens 42.8% 102,378      Alaskan Independence Michael States 6.3% 15,049      Green Mike Milligan 4% 9,529      N/A Write-in 0.1% 311 Total Votes 239,116 1990 On November 6, 1990, Don Young won re-election to the United States House. He defeated John S. Devens (D) in the general election. U.S. House, Alaska At-Large General Election, 1990 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Don Young incumbent 51.7% 99,003      Democratic John S. Devens 47.8% 91,677      N/A Write-in 0.5% 967 Total Votes 191,647 1988 On November 8, 1988, Don Young won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Peter Gruenstein (D) in the general election. U.S. House, Alaska At-Large General Election, 1988 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Don Young incumbent 62.5% 120,595      Democratic Peter Gruenstein 37.3% 71,881      Write-in Write-in 0.2% 479 Total Votes 192,955 1986 On November 4, 1986, Don Young won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Pegge Begich (D) and Betty Breck (L) in the general election. U.S. House, Alaska At-Large General Election, 1986 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Don Young incumbent 56.5% 101,799      Democratic Pegge Begich 41.1% 74,053      Libertarian Betty Breck 2.3% 4,182      N/A Write-in 0.1% 243 Total Votes 180,277 1984 On November 6, 1984, Don Young won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Pegge Begich (D) and Betty Breck (I) in the general election. U.S. House, Alaska At-Large General Election, 1984 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Don Young incumbent 55% 113,582      Democratic Pegge Begich 41.7% 86,052      Independent Betty Breck 3.2% 6,508      N/A Other 0.1% 295 Total Votes 206,437 1982 On November 2, 1982, Don Young won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Dave Carlson (D) in the general election. U.S. House, Alaska At-Large General Election, 1982 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Don Young incumbent 70.8% 128,274      Democratic Dave Carlson 28.7% 52,011      N/A Write-in 0.4% 799 Total Votes 181,084 1980 On November 4, 1980, Don Young won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Kevin Parnell (D) in the general election. U.S. House, Alaska At-Large General Election, 1980 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Don Young incumbent 73.8% 114,089      Democratic Kevin Parnell 25.8% 39,922      N/A Write-in 0.4% 607 Total Votes 154,618 1978 On November 7, 1978, Don Young won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Patrick Rodey (D) in the general election. U.S. House, Alaska At-Large General Election, 1978 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Don Young incumbent 55.4% 68,811      Democratic Patrick Rodey 44.4% 55,176      N/A Write-in 0.2% 200 Total Votes 124,187 1976 On November 2, 1976, Don Young won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Eben Hopson (D) in the general election. U.S. House, Alaska At-Large General Election, 1976 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Don Young incumbent 70.8% 83,722      Democratic Eben Hopson 28.9% 34,194      N/A Write-in 0.2% 292 Total Votes 118,208 1974 On November 4, 1974, Don Young won re-election to the United States House. He defeated William L. Hensley (D) in the general election. U.S. House, Alaska At-Large General Election, 1974 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Don Young incumbent 53.8% 51,641      Democratic William L. Hensley 46.2% 44,280 Total Votes 95,921 1972 On November 7, 1972, Nick Begich won re-election to the United States House. He defeated Don Young (R) in the general election. U.S. House, Alaska At-Large General Election, 1972 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic Nick Begich incumbent 56.2% 53,651      Republican Don Young 43.8% 41,750 Total Votes 95,401

Campaign donors

Comprehensive donor information for Young is available dating back to 2000. Based on available campaign finance records, Young raised a total of $11,373,239 during that time period. This information was last updated on March 22, 2013.

Don Young's Campaign Contribution History
Year	Office	Result	Contributions
2012	US House (Alaska, At-large district)		$1,003,531
2010	US House (Alaska, At-large district)		$1,001,015
2008	US House (Alaska, At-large district)		$1,407,578
2006	US House (Alaska, At-large district)		$1,919,782
2004	US House (Alaska, At-large district)		$2,482,929
2002	US House (Alaska, At-large district)		$2,260,826
2000	US House (Alaska, At-large district)		$1,297,578
Grand Total Raised			$11,373,239

2012

Breakdown of the source of Young's campaign funds before the 2012 election.

Young won re-election to the U.S. House in 2012. During that election cycle, Young's campaign committee raised a total of $1,003,531 and spent $665,974.

U.S. House, Alaska's At-large District, 2012 - Don Young Campaign Contributions
Total Raised	$1,003,531
Total Spent	$665,974
Total Raised by Election Runner-up	$19,660
Total Spent by Election Runner-up	$24,388
Top contributors to Don Young's campaign committee
Edison Chouest Offshore	$30,000
GCI	$14,300
Blank Rome LLP	$10,500
Air Line Pilots Assn	$10,000
Carpenters & Joiners Union	$10,000
Top 5 industries that contributed to campaign committee
Casinos/Gambling	$105,658
Sea Transport	$56,999
Transportation Unions	$51,000
Oil & Gas	$48,500
Lobbyists	$48,250

2010

Breakdown of the source of Young's campaign funds before the 2010 election.

Young won re-election to the U.S. House in 2010. During that election cycle, Young's campaign committee raised a total of $1,001,015 and spent $887,310.

His top 5 contributors between 2009-2010 were:

U.S. House, Alaska, 2010 - Don Young Campaign Contributions
Total Raised	$1,001,015
Total Spent	$887,310
Total Raised by General Election Opponent	$240,439
Total Spent by General Election Opponent	$235,571
Top contributors to Don Young's campaign committee
Edison Chouest Offshore	$40,600
Blank Rome LLP	$15,750
ConocoPhillips	$10,800
National Assn of Home Builders	$10,000
National Auto Dealers Assn	$10,000
Top 5 industries that contributed to campaign committee
Sea Transport	$78,500
Lobbyists	$71,873
Lawyers/Law Firms	$47,795
Transportation Unions	$42,000
General Contractors	$37,200

Analysis

Ideology and leadership

See also: GovTrack's Political Spectrum & Legislative Leadership ranking

Based on an analysis of bill sponsorship by GovTrack, Young is a "rank-and-file Republican" as of June 2013.

Lifetime voting record

See also: Lifetime voting records of United States Senators and Representatives

According to the website GovTrack, Young missed 3,631 of 23,856 roll call votes from March 1973 to March 2013. This amounts to 15.2%, which is worse than the median of 2.2% among current congressional representatives as of March 2013.

Congressional staff salaries

See also: Staff salaries of United States Senators and Representatives

The website Legistorm compiles staff salary information for members of Congress. Young paid his congressional staff a total of $1,104,360 in 2011. He ranked 231st on the list of the lowest paid Republican Representative Staff Salaries and he ranked 62nd overall of the highest paid Representative Staff Salaries in 2011. Overall, Alaska ranked 1st in average salary for representative staff. The average U.S. House of Representatives congressional staff was paid $954,912.20 in fiscal year 2011.

Staff bonuses

According to an analysis by CNN, Young is one of nearly 25% of House members who gave their staff bonuses in 2012. Young's staff was given an apparent $1,022.22 in bonus money.

Net worth

See also: Net Worth of United States Senators and Representatives

2011

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org - The Center for Responsive Politics, Young's net worth as of 2011 was estimated between $495,008 and $1,250,000. That averages to $872,504, which is lower than the average net worth of Republican Representatives in 2011 of $7,859,232. His average net worth increased by 3.87% from 2010.

2010

Based on congressional financial disclosure forms and calculations made available by OpenSecrets.org - The Center for Responsive Politics, Young's net worth as of 2010 was estimated between $480,007 and $1,200,000. That averages to $840,003.50, which is lower than the average net worth of Republican Representatives in 2010 of $7,561,133.

National Journal vote ratings

See also: National Journal vote ratings

2012

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of congress voted in the previous year. Young ranked 222nd in the conservative rankings in 2012.

2011

Each year National Journal publishes an analysis of how liberally or conservatively each member of congress voted in the previous year. Young ranked 200th in the conservative rankings.

Voting with party

2013

The website Open Congress tracks how often members of Congress vote with the majority of the chamber caucus. According to the website, Don Young has voted with the Republican Party 97.5% of the time, which ranked 92nd among the 233 House Republican members as of June 2013.

Personal

Young is a widower and has two children.

Recent news

This section displays the most recent stories in a Google news search for the term Don + Young + Alaska + House

All stories may not be relevant to this page due to the nature of the search engine.

Don Young News Feed

• Rep. Don Young, on Africa hunting trip, misses hearing on Alaska oil legislation - Anchorage Daily News
• Michael Carey: Don Young turns 80 as Congressman for life - Anchorage Daily News
• Senate panel advances bills on lands, Denali name - Anchorage Daily News
• House Bill Would Open Bristol Bay to Offshore Oil and Gas Leasing - KDLG
• Boehner fundraising destination: Alaska - Politico
• The GOP's clueless caucus - Politico
• Sealaska bill passes Senate committee - KCAW
• Rep. Young Votes for National Defense Authorization Act, Includes Alaska ... - Delta News Web
• GOP staffer claims to live on food stamps without problems, suggests cutting more - Daily Caller
• Three injured, two charged in separate shootings in city - Philadelphia Neshoba Democrat

External links

• Official House website

• Social media:
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
• Biographies:
  • U.S. Congress
  • NNDB
  • Wikipedia
• Political profiles:
  • GovTrack
  • National Journal
  • OpenCongress
  • Project Vote Smart
  • Roll Call
  • CongressMerge
• Financial:
  • FEC
  • OpenSecrets.org
  • LegiStorm.com
• Interest group ratings:
  • National Journal
  • Project Vote Smart
• Issue positions:
  • On The Issues
  • Project Vote Smart
• Legislation:
  • Congress.gov
• Public statements:
  • Project Vote Smart
• Voting record:
  • Project Vote Smart
  • Washington Post
• Media appearances:
  • C-SPAN
• Media coverage:
  • New York Times
  • Washington Post

References

Political offices
Preceded by Nick Begich	U.S. House of Representatives - Alaska, At-large 1973-Present	Succeeded by '
Preceded by '	Alaska State Senate 1970-1973	Succeeded by '
Preceded by '	Alaska House of Representatives 1966-1970	Succeeded by '
Preceded by '	Mayor, Fort Yukon 1964-1966	Succeeded by '