Catie Young realized she wanted to run for office after being involved with the United Campus Workers of Georgia (UCW-GA), a labor union fighting for all University System of Georgia (USG) employees, at the University of Georgia.
Originally from Cincinnati, Young moved to Smithonia in 2018 and began working in the Morehead Honors College at UGA in 2019.
Young was involved in the legislative committee in UCW-GA, through which she met with politicians in the Georgia General Assembly and discussed problems USG employees faced.
“Politics has always had a certain special place for me. I’ve always enjoyed it,” Young said. “Being involved with the legislative committee just made me realize that I wanted to get involved.”
Young is one of two Democrats on the general primary ballot for the State Senate District 24 seat, held by Lee Anderson, R-Grovetown. However, her campaign color isn’t the typical blue associated with the Democratic party; it is purple, a deliberate combination of red and blue.
“I think those issues that are affecting us, affect everybody, whether it’s affordability (or) healthcare,” Young said. “Those issues that I feel like we can all agree on supersede left or right, red or blue.”
Representing a rural district, she has identified agriculture as a top priority.
A former sustainable agricultural systems Peace Corps volunteer and an “AgDawg” alumna with a master’s degree in crop and soil science, she plans to carry her academic knowledge with her to politics.
One environmental challenge she specifically hopes to address is erosion.
According to Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, eroded sediment from construction sites has been documented as the leading source of non-point source pollution to rivers in Georgia.
Affordability is another one of Young’s top priorities.
“We have a state surplus of over $15 billion, with $2 billion in state lottery reserves that’s just sitting there,” Young said. “I feel that that could definitely go back to the people in ways such as fully funding higher education and K through 12.”
Along with lowering the cost of education, Young seeks to improve teacher salaries. According to the National Education Association, Georgia is 21st in the nation in starting teacher pay as of April, with an average starting salary of $48,722.
“I think that we should be able to give teachers what they deserve,” Young said. “We have a lot to do when it comes to teacher pay and retention.”
Young faces Lorraine Thomas, who lives in Columbia County, in the primary. If Young wins the primary, voters will see her on the ballot in November.
Jane Kidd, chair of the Oglethorpe County Democratic Committee, was one of several people who encouraged Young to run. Kidd was dissatisfied with Anderson’s lack of interaction with his voter base.
“(Young) is energetic and smart, and she wants to represent everyone in the Senate District 24, unlike Mr. Anderson, who evidently doesn’t talk to anybody in this area, except for the most diehard Republicans that are here,” Kidd said. “I’m a believer in public service to everyone, and once you’re elected, you represent everyone in your district.”