About

Tom Young represents Senate District 24 covering large portions of Aiken County including of Aiken, North Augusta, Warrenville, Gloverville, Couchton, New Ellenton, Jackson, Beech Island, and Montmorenci in Aiken County.

In the Senate, Tom has worked to strengthen our economy; to pass ethics reform; to improve education; to control government spending; to restructure state government; to reform child protective services; and to reform our state’s electric and gas utility laws. To keep constituents informed, Tom created a periodic legislative email update that he drafts and sends during the year. Tom has received statewide recognition for leading efforts to restructure state government including shortening the legislative session; for his advocacy for improving education in South Carolina; and for his leadership addressing deficiencies in child protective services at the Department of Social Services.

In the Senate, Tom serves on the Finance, Education, Rules, Fish and Game, Veterans and Family Affairs, Oversight, and Nuclear Advisory Committees and the Savannah River Maritime Commission. In addition, Tom previously served on the Legislative Audit Council. Locally, Tom is chair of the Aiken County Legislative Delegation.

Born and raised in Aiken, Tom graduated from Aiken High and the University of South Carolina where he was student body president at both schools. Before his service in the legislature, Tom served on the boards of the Greater Aiken Chamber of Commerce, Aiken County Dollars for Scholars (past chair), Children’s Place (past chair), Aiken County Public Education Partners, USC Young Alumni Association (past chair), USC Aiken Partnership, South Carolina Honors College, and several committees of the South Carolina Bar. Tom received the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award in 1993 while at USC and is the 2009 recipient of the Silver Compleat Lawyer Award presented by the USC School of Law Alumni Association to recognize alumni for outstanding civic and professional accomplishments while exemplifying the highest standards of professional competence, ethics, and integrity.

Tom practices law in Aiken with Young & Thurmond, LLC where he has been named to South Carolina Super Lawyers and to Best Lawyers in America. Before his service in the Senate, Tom served in the S.C. House of Representatives representing District 81 from 2009 through 2012.

Tom is married to his wife Heather and his daughters are Hailey and Ashley. Tom and his family are members of Aiken’s St. John’s Methodist Church, and he volunteers as an attorney for Millbrook Baptist Church.

Legislative Service Recognitions:

  • State Chamber of Commerce Business Advocate Award
  • Palmetto Family Alliance Legislative Scorecard – Perfect 100%
  • S.C. Club for Growth – Taxpayer Hero Award
  • S.C. BIPEC “Sword and Mace” Award
  • S.C. Farm Bureau Legislator of the Year
  • S.C. DSS Champion for Children Award
  • S.C. United Way Legislator of the Year
  • Foundation for Government Accountability Champion of Opportunity Award
  • S.C. Education Association Friend of Education Award
  • Aiken Standard Person of the Year
  • American Legion Legislative Leadership Award
  • Institute for Child Success Commitment to Children Award
  • S.C. Behavioral Health Services Association Legislator of the Year
  • Rural Health Services Legislator of the Year
  • S.C. Conservation Voters Green Tie Award
  • S.C. National Guard Legislator of the Year