Young Members of Arizona Legislature Form Bipartisan Caucus to Address Issues Most Important to Millennials

Arizona Future Caucus to be Led by Democrat Mark Cardenas and Republican T.J. Shope

(Phoenix, AZ) Today, Representative Mark Cardenas (D-19) and House Speaker Pro Tempore T.J. Shope (R-8) announced the creation of the bipartisan Arizona Future Caucus, a brand-new caucus comprised of state legislators under age 40. The announcement is part of a nation-wide movement in state houses across the country where millennial legislators are seeking to find common ground in an era of hyper partisanship. With the launch, Arizona becomes the 25th state to join Millennial Action Project’s national State Future Caucus Network.

The caucus will focus on issues that Millennials care about, including student debt and clean energy. Arizona’s Future Caucus will be part of the Millennial Action Project’s national effort to support young elected officials as they work to break through partisan gridlock and reestablish political cooperation.

While there has been a great deal of attention directed at dysfunction and gridlock in government, there is a counter-movement underway–led by Millennials–that seeks to disrupt the status quo in government. Millennial Action Project hopes that as additional younger state legislators course a path of bipartisanship and cooperation, they will be able to bring this perspective to Washington. Currently, 15 millennial members of Congress began their legislative careers in state houses.

“It has been amazing to see the State Future Caucus Network continue to grow, allowing for young legislators across the county to come together, look toward the future, and address critical issues through innovative policy change,” said Steven Olikara, Founder and President of Millennial Action Project. “Thank you to Reps. Shope and Cardenas for their leadership in this movement.”

“I’m thrilled to serve as a Co-Chair of the Arizona Future Caucus and with Rep. Shope, support young legislators in their efforts to address the issues facing millennials. Together, we hope to create positive change that will have a lasting impact for generations to come,” added Rep. Cardenas.

Speaker Pro Tempore Shope noted, “Reaching across the aisle is critical to the success of our legislature, and I’m honored to serve as Co-Chair of the Arizona Future Caucus to support a political environment that fosters bipartisan cooperation.

Media contact: Julia Schechter, (917) 282-2754 or [email protected]