State House of Representatives – 37th District
Mary Ann Young
Mary Ann Young
Democrat
Tell us about your campaign.
My name is Mary Ann Young. I’ve called Murfreesboro home for almost 30 years and have lived in this district for the last 8 years. I got involved in local politics the way a lot of people do — because something hit too close to home. When warehouses were proposed to be built right behind our subdivision, and we didn’t have representation in our county government — essentially without our community’s voice — we fought back. With the help of a great group of neighbors, we made ourselves heard. That experience opened my eyes to what was happening not just at the county level, but at the state level too. When I saw some of the bills being presented in our legislature, I knew I couldn’t stay on the sidelines. That’s when I realized: District 37 needs someone who will fight for working families. Our district is growing — new businesses, new residents, both of which create new opportunities. That growth is something to be proud of. But irresponsible growth without adequate representation leaves people behind. I want to make sure that as we welcome new businesses and development, the residents who already live here are heard, their concerns are respected, and their quality of life is protected. Some of the key issues facing our area start with the lack of planning around our infrastructure. When are Jefferson Pike and 231 going to be widened? We have heard “soon” for years — and soon isn’t good enough. We also need to stop the expansion of the Middle Point Landfill. While it’s not in this district, we feel it — in the smell, and in the long-term effects on the water we fish in and recreate on. And we must secure and protect education funding for our students and teachers, because they deserve better than uncertainty. These aren’t abstract policy debates. These are quality-of-life issues for real families in La Vergne, Smyrna, and Murfreesboro. When regular people get organized, they can make a difference. Tennessee needs a voice that comes from the community — not the sidelines. I’m running because I believe our district deserves a representative who understands what everyone is going through and who will fight for practical, commonsense solutions. Let’s rock the vote and win!
In your own words, describe the responsibilities of the office you are seeking.
99 people, that are in the TN House of Representatives, shape the daily lives of people in Rutherford County - your taxes, your schools, your roads, and your healthcare. In basic terms, a state House of Representative makes laws, represents the district, serves constituents and control the state budget.
What are your priorities for this office?
My priorities if I win: (in no particular order) 1. Keep Jackson Law on the books. Pass the Tn Waste to Jobs Act 2. Expand Medicaid to reopen labor and delivery units or entire hospitals in rural communities. 3. Repeal the Voucher- school choice program 4. Repeal the grocery tax 5. Pass pot for potholes. 6. Repeal Hemp ban. 7. Raise minimum wage 8.. Create pre-k in all schools
Describe your qualifications for this office.
I got involved in politics — not through a campaign office, but through my own neighborhood. Last year, a warehouse development got proposed for our community, with almost no say from the people who’d actually have to live next to it. Our commissioner had resigned, leaving us without representation. So we organized. We fought it at the Rutherford County Commission. We fought it again at the Town of Smyrna. For nearly thirty years, I’ve worked in fintech, leading teams and solving problems for thousands of customers at a time. I hold a Certified Scrum Product Owner certification and a Human-Centered Design certification, credentials I used to help lead a platform migration serving more than one hundred thousand users. I didn’t get there by being the loudest person in the room. I got there by listening, building coalitions, and getting results even when the people across the table didn’t agree with me at first. I will take my constituents with me everyday to the legislature.
