Young Lawmakers across America Are Transforming State Politics, One Conversation at a Time

By Elizabeth Rosen

In a moment when so many Americans are losing faith in politics, it matters that some young lawmakers are showing us that not all political stories are about disdain and division—some are about hope and unity.

Over the past few months, the team at Future Caucus has experienced that hope firsthand. From snowy Albany to sunny Montgomery, state Future Caucus leaders around the country are stepping up, building purposeful connections, and demonstrating that political courage often starts not in headlines, but in conversations.

These moments don’t go viral. They’re not dramatic. But they are how trust is built—gradually, deliberately, and face to face. And they’re essential if we want to transform the culture of governance in this country.

Future Caucus had a front-row seat to the behind-the-scenes hustle that’s turning quiet collaboration into tangible progress, from Arkansas’ landmark maternal health legislation to the bipartisan launch of new caucus chapters in South Carolina and North Dakota. 

In a time of deep frustration with our politics, young lawmakers across the State Future Caucus Network are showing that a different future is not only possible—it’s already underway. Here’s what that looks like, state by state.

We’re proud to stand beside them, and we hope you’ll join us.

Arkansas: Momentum and Milestones

In Little Rock, the Arkansas Future Caucus kicked off the session with an engaging lunch discussion about their policy goals for the upcoming year, with topics ranging from occupational licensing to maternal health. They passed 39 bills last session and have already demonstrated strong momentum in 2025, starting with the recent passage of the Healthy Moms, Healthy Babies Act, the co-sponsors of which included ARFC co-chairs Rep. Aaron Pilkington (R-Knoxville) and Rep. Ashley Hudson (D-Little Rock).

Kansas: From Conversation to Collaboration

In Topeka, young lawmakers from both parties gathered for a lunch discussion, then wrapped the day with drinks and dialogue at Iron Rail Brewing. The vibe was casual, but the mission was serious: Under the leadership of co-chairs Rep. Brandon Woodard (D-108) and Sen. Tory Blew (R-33), the Kansas Future Caucus is working to expand its membership and impact in the year ahead. They’re focused on the basics—relationship-building, open communication, and steady momentum—knowing that trust is the foundation for long-term progress.

Georgia: Tackling Big Problems with Bold Leadership

The Georgia Future Caucus came together this spring to welcome two new Gen Z legislators and sharpen their focus on big-ticket issues like maternal health, the future of work, and youth mental health. Led by co-chairs Rep. Steven Sainz (R-St. Marys) and Rep. Dr. Jasmine Clark (D-Lilburn), the group is turning energy into action, building bipartisan alliances grounded in mutual respect and shared purpose. In a state with growing national influence, Georgia’s young leaders are setting a tone of collaboration that could ripple far beyond Atlanta.

New York: Forward-Thinking Policy in a Fast-Moving Age

In Albany, young legislators are working across the aisle to advance forward-thinking legislation to serve their diverse and dynamic state. New York Future Caucus co-chairs Asm. Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) and 2024 Rising Star award-winner Asm. Alex Bores (D-Manhattan), brought returning and newly elected lawmakers together over breakfast for their first meeting of the year, where priorities included the emblematically Gen Z and millennial issues of housing affordability, artificial intelligence, and child care.

Mississippi: Building Trust at Topgolf

In the thick of Mississippi’s fast-moving session, MSFC co-chairs Rep. Jansen Owen (R-106) and Sen. Rod Hickman (D-32) didn’t gather their colleagues in a committee room. They went to Topgolf. The gathering wasn’t just fun, but strategic. Laughter, bonding, and seeing one another as human beings beyond party labels is what enables leaders to transform conflict into collaboration. In Mississippi, young lawmakers are proving that culture change happens one relationship at a time.

Pennsylvania: Leading with Dignity

Across the state line in Pennsylvania, Future Caucus members convened for a training on The Dignity Index, a tool designed to help lawmakers engage more constructively when they disagree. The effort was led by Future Caucus members who first encountered the Index at Future Summit 2024 — and decided to bring it home.

In a time when outrage is often rewarded, these lawmakers are opting for a deeper kind of leadership — one rooted in respect, empathy, and the belief that listening is more powerful than shouting.

South Carolina: Future Caucus is Coming to Town

In Columbia, the launch of the South Carolina Future Caucus marked the network’s 35th chapter and showed what’s possible even in states with a political supermajority. Co-chairs Rep. Brandon Newton (R-Kershaw & Lancaster Counties), Sen. Deon Tedder (D-Charleston & Dorchester Counties) first became friends while serving as whip in their respective parties. Inspired by interactions and lessons from Future Summit, they launched their caucus with a commitment to only push forward legislation that garners majority support in both parties. That’s not just bipartisan talk—it’s a structural choice to govern with consensus. The launch concluded with a happy hour where young lawmakers toasted the beginning of something new… and something sorely needed.

Alabama: Growing with the State

At a time when Alabama’s young professional population is growing rapidly, so too is the urgency for smart, forward-looking policy. At their first meeting of the year, the Alabama Future Caucus centered its 2025 goals on housing, mental health, AI, and workforce development. Reps. Jeremy Gray (D-83) and Parker Moore (R-04) are leading the charge, with Gray reflecting on how his experience in a simulated “Situation Room” at the 2024 Futures Thinking Forum shaped his approach to leadership under pressure. They wrapped the day at AlleyBAR in Montgomery, celebrating not just policy goals, but a shared commitment to serving the next generation of Alabamians.

Vermont: Cultivating Community in the Capitol

In Montpelier, the Vermont Future Caucus gathered a record number of newly elected lawmakers for a gathering that emphasized community, collaboration, and a fresh approach to governance. Led by co-chairs Rep. Mary-Katherine Stone (D-Chittenden-14) and Rep. Casey Toof (R-Franklin-8), the event helped young legislators connect with one another across party lines and across the learning curve. Together, they’re building a culture of curiosity, humility, and teamwork, proving that in a small state, small gestures go a long way.

North Dakota: A Vision for What’s Possible

On April Fool’s Day, amid snow flurries in Bismarck, North Dakota became the 36th state to join the State Future Caucus Network. But this was no joke. At the launch, Reps. Dawson Holle (R-Mandan) and Jayme Davis (D-Rolette) stood shoulder to shoulder with Sens. Claire Cory (R-Grand Forks) and Ryan Braunberger (D-Fargo) to launch the North Dakota Future Caucus. Their message was clear: unity is not naïve, but necessary.

“In North Dakota’s future, I know that our greatest strength comes from working together, not against each other,” said Holle, the youngest person ever elected to the North Dakota legislature. Davis echoed that sentiment: “We don’t have to agree on everything to agree that North Dakota’s future is worth working for.”