Amy Grady Explained

Amy Grady
State Senate:West Virginia
District:4th
Alongside:Eric Tarr
Term Start:December 1, 2020
Predecessor:Mitch Carmichael
Birth Name:Amy Nichole Doss
Birth Date:15 October 1979
Party:Republican
Spouse:Jack L. Grady
Education:Marietta College B.Ed,

Amy Nichole Grady (; born October 15, 1979[1]) is an American teacher and politician who has served as the junior West Virginia State Senator from the 4th district since 2020. Grady is a Republican. Grady has served as the chair of the West Virginia Senate Education Committee since 2022.[2]

Early life, education, and career

Grady is the daughter of Addie Roberts. She received her Bachelor of Education degree from Marietta College and West Virginia University and served as a teacher before running for office.[3]

Elections

Grady, a teacher, was inspired to run for office after participating in the 2018 West Virginia teachers' strike. Her later opponent in the primary, Lt. Governor and President of the West Virginia Senate, Mitch Carmichael, had opposed pay raises for teachers and supported charter schools. Her role in the strike led her to seek the office.[4]

On her website, Grady described herself as a "Pro-life, Pro-2nd Amendment conservative teacher who is fed up with self-serving elected officials." Her campaign was self-funded and Carmichael outraised her by more than 50:1 in the primary.[5]

Grady won the three-way primary election with 39.12% of the vote, defeating Carmichael by a margin of fewer than 1000 votes.[6] Carmichael conceded the evening of the election and agreed to support Grady in the general.[4]

Grady defeated Democrat Bruce Ashworth in the 2020 general election with 70.69% of the vote.[7]

Tenure

Committee assignments

Education

Grady spoke in support of and voted for House Bill 2013, a bill that would allow more public funds to be used by parents sending their children to private schools.[9] [10]

Grady voted for Senate Bill 680, a bill that would make it harder for school staff to be given raises.[11]

Transgender rights

As a member of the education committee, Grady was the lead sponsor of Senate Bill 341, a bill that would require transgender athletes to compete in sports associated with their biological sex.[8] [12] [13]

DC statehood

With many of her fellow Senators, Grady signed onto a resolution requesting West Virginia Senators and Congresspeople to oppose bills that would allow statehood for the District of Columbia.[14]

Personal life

Grady is married to Jack L. Grady and has three children. She is a Christian.[3]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Amy Grady . Whitepages . 23 March 2021 . 7.
  2. Web site: September 1, 2022 . Senator Amy Nichole Grady Named Chairman of Education Committee . West Virginia Legislature.
  3. Web site: West Virginia Senate Biography: Senator Grady . West Virginia Legislature . 23 March 2021 . 1.
  4. Web site: Waldron . Travis . Teacher Ousts West Virginia State Senate Leader In GOP Primary . Huffington Post . 23 March 2021 . 2.
  5. Web site: Teacher beats West Virginia Senate president after protests . 10 News . 23 March 2021 . 3.
  6. Web site: 2020 Primary Election: 4th Senatorial District . West Virginia Board of Elections . 23 March 2021 . 4.
  7. Web site: 2020 General Election: 4th Senatorial District . West Virginia Board of Elections . 23 March 2021 . 5.
  8. Web site: Member Profiles: Senator Grady . West Virginia Legislature . 23 March 2021 . 6.
  9. Web site: Adams . Steven Allen . Education savings account bill gets OK from West Virginia Senate . News and Sentinel . 23 March 2021 . 8.
  10. Web site: Raby . John . WVa private school savings accounts bill heads to governor . Associated Press . 23 March 2021 . 9.
  11. Web site: Quinn . Ryan . WV Legislature sends governor bill that could eliminate school workers' raises . West Virginia Gazette-Mail . 9 April 2021 . 10.
  12. Web site: Senate Bill 341 . West Virginia Legislature . 23 March 2021 . 10.
  13. Web site: Adams . Steven Allen . Bill blocking transgender students from certain sports passes West Virginia House . Parkersburg News and Sentinel . 26 March 2021 . 11.
  14. Web site: WV GOP Letter (2021) . Students for DC Statehood . 24 March 2021 . 9 . April 29, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210429111004/http://studentsfordcstatehood.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/WV-GOP-letter-2021.pdf . dead .