Todd Young

Todd Young
Born	Todd Christopher Young 24 8, 1972
Birthplace	Lancaster, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Nationality	American
Occupation	Politician, attorney
Known for	U.S. Senator from Indiana (2017–present), U.S. Representative for Indiana's 9th congressional district (2011–2017), Chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (2019–2021)
Children	4
Website	[Official Senate website Official site]

Todd Christopher Young (born August 24, 1972) is an American politician, attorney, and former United States Marine Corps officer serving as the senior United States senator from Indiana. A member of the Republican Party, Young has held the seat since January 2017, when he succeeded retiring senator Dan Coats. Before entering the Senate, he represented Indiana's 9th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives from 2011 to 2017, defeating incumbent Democrat Baron Hill in the 2010 election amid a national wave that returned the House to Republican control. Young served as chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee from 2019 to 2021, overseeing the party's Senate campaign operations. He became Indiana's senior senator in January 2019 following the departure of Joe Donnelly, who lost his reelection bid. Young was reelected to the Senate in 2022. Born in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and raised in Indiana, Young's career path took him through the United States Naval Academy, service as a Marine Corps intelligence officer, graduate study at the University of London and Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, and work in public policy before his entry into electoral politics. In the Senate, he has focused on national defense, technology policy, and bipartisan legislative efforts, including work on artificial intelligence legislation and digital trade policy.

Early Life

Todd Christopher Young was born on August 24, 1972, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. He grew up in Indiana, where he would later build his political career. Young's family connections include a relationship to former Vice President Dan Quayle, who is his uncle-in-law.

Young's path toward public service began early. After completing his secondary education in Indiana, he pursued a military career by attending the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. His time at the Naval Academy laid the foundation for his subsequent military service in the United States Marine Corps, where he would serve as an intelligence officer and attain the rank of Captain.

Young's military background would become a defining element of his political identity, shaping his positions on national defense and veterans' affairs throughout his subsequent career in Congress and the Senate.

Education

Young graduated from the United States Naval Academy, where he received his undergraduate education. Following his military service, he pursued additional academic credentials. He studied at the University of London, earning a graduate degree, and later obtained his law degree from the Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law, qualifying him for the practice of law in Indiana.

His combined education in military science, international affairs, and law provided Young with a multifaceted background that informed his later work in public policy and legislation.

Career

Early Career and Military Service

After graduating from the Naval Academy, Young was commissioned as an officer in the United States Marine Corps. He served as an intelligence officer and was assigned to VMUT-2, a Marine unmanned aerial vehicle training squadron. He attained the rank of Captain before leaving active duty.

Following his military service and completion of his legal education, Young worked in various roles that bridged public policy and the private sector. He was involved with the Indiana Leadership Forum, a policy organization, in 2007.

2010 Congressional Campaign

In 2009 and early 2010, Young entered the race for Indiana's 9th congressional district, filing as a Republican candidate to challenge incumbent Democratic Representative Baron Hill. The 9th District race attracted considerable attention as part of a broader Republican strategy to recapture the House of Representatives. The primary contest in the district featured multiple candidates, and the campaign drew interest from national Republican figures, including former Vice President Dan Quayle, Young's uncle-in-law.

The 9th District race was identified as one of the key competitive contests nationally, with Indiana positioned to play a significant role in the battle for control of Congress in the 2010 midterm elections. The primary featured what was described as "ninth district drama," with multiple candidates vying for the Republican nomination.

Young won the Republican primary and advanced to the general election against Hill. On November 2, 2010, Young defeated Hill, with early returns showing Young leading throughout the evening. His victory was part of a national Republican wave that gave the party control of the House of Representatives.

U.S. House of Representatives (2011–2017)

Young took office as the U.S. Representative for Indiana's 9th congressional district on January 3, 2011, succeeding Baron Hill. He served three terms in the House, from the 112th through the 114th Congress.

During his tenure in the House, Young was a member of the Republican Main Street Partnership, a caucus of moderate and center-right Republican members of Congress. His voting record and political positioning were analyzed in the context of broader discussions about the Republican Party's ideological spectrum, including assessments by FiveThirtyEight regarding lessons that moderate Republicans and Blue Dog Democrats could learn from one another.

Young's legislative work in the House included sponsorship of the REINS Act, which aimed to require congressional approval for major federal regulations. The legislation was passed through the House during his tenure.

On environmental and energy policy, Young signed a pledge with Americans for Prosperity and was part of broader congressional debates about climate change policy.

On social issues, Young's record was tracked by various advocacy organizations, including the Human Rights Campaign, which scored members of Congress on issues related to LGBT rights during the 113th Congress.

Young represented the district until January 3, 2017, when he was succeeded by Trey Hollingsworth following Young's election to the U.S. Senate.

2016 Senate Campaign

In 2016, Young ran for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by retiring Republican Senator Dan Coats. Young won the Republican primary and the November 8, 2016, general election, securing the seat for the Republican Party.

U.S. Senate (2017–present)

Young took office as a United States Senator from Indiana on January 3, 2017, succeeding Dan Coats. Initially the junior senator, serving alongside Democrat Joe Donnelly, Young became Indiana's senior senator in January 2019 after Donnelly lost his 2018 reelection bid to Republican Mike Braun.

Chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee

From January 3, 2019, to January 3, 2021, Young served as chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee (NRSC), the campaign arm responsible for electing Republicans to the U.S. Senate. He succeeded Cory Gardner of Colorado in the role and was succeeded by Rick Scott of Florida. In this capacity, Young oversaw Republican Senate campaign strategy during the 2020 election cycle under the broader leadership of Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell.

2022 Reelection

Young successfully ran for reelection to the Senate in the 2022 election cycle, securing a second six-year term representing Indiana.

Legislative Priorities

In the Senate, Young has focused on several key policy areas, including national defense, technology and innovation policy, and trade. As a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, he has been involved in legislation addressing emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. In November 2025, Young and Senator Mark Kelly (D-Ariz.) introduced legislation aimed at protecting American AI innovation.

Young has also pursued bipartisan work on digital trade policy. In December 2025, he led a bipartisan group of senators—including Chris Coons (D-Del.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.)—in introducing legislation to strengthen American leadership in digital trade.

On national defense matters, Young voted for the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2026 in December 2025, citing the need to support the military and maintain national security. He has also been involved in supporting defense infrastructure projects in Indiana, including participation in the groundbreaking of a national security industrial hub near Naval Weapons Station Crane.

Young has engaged in debates over the use of military force, releasing statements on war powers resolutions. In November 2025, he issued a statement regarding a Senate vote on a Caribbean War Powers Resolution. He also addressed a procedural vote related to a Venezuela War Powers Resolution in early 2026.

As a senator, Young continues to carry out the traditional responsibility of nominating Indiana residents for admission to the United States service academies, announcing nominees for the 2025–2026 cycle in December 2025.

In February 2026, Young announced a number of staff transitions in his Senate office, including the replacement of his chief of staff.

Personal Life

Young has four children. He is related by marriage to former Vice President Dan Quayle, who is his uncle-in-law. Young resides in Indiana, the state he has represented in Congress since 2011.

Young's military service as a Marine Corps Captain and intelligence officer has been a recurring element in his public life and political campaigns, informing his focus on defense and national security issues in Congress.