Stephen M. Young

Stephen Marvin Young (May 4, 1889 – December 1, 1984) was an American lawyer and politician who served as a United States senator from Ohio from 1959 to 1971. In 1930, he ran for the Democratic nomination for governor of Ohio but lost in the Democratic primary to former Representative George White, who went on to win the governorship. On one occasion, he wrote, "Dear Sir: It appears to me that you have been grossly misinformed, or are exceedingly stupid. Which is it?" On another, he received a hostile letter that ended with the constituent's phone number and the message, "I would welcome the opportunity to have intercourse with you." Young wrote back, "you sir, can have intercourse with yourself."

Young was very narrowly re-elected in 1964, defeating the Republican nominee, then-Representative Robert Taft Jr., who was the son of conservative icon Senator Robert A. Taft from Ohio and the grandson of William Howard Taft. The result was considered an upset by The New York Times, as Taft's family name was "considered magic" in the state and Young's advanced age and polarizing attitude towards constituents were thought to be liabilities.

Young stood as a favorite son in the 1968 Ohio presidential primary. He did not enter any other primaries or stand as a candidate in his own right; he ultimately endorsed Hubert Humphrey. He decided not to run for re-election to the Senate in 1970 and was succeeded by Taft, who was again the Republican nominee.

Personal life and death Young lived in Washington, D.C., until his death on December 1, 1984. He is buried in Norwalk Cemetery, Norwalk, Ohio.