NEXT UP: Zivvy sits down with nine Gen Z politicians shaping America’s future

November 4, 2024

Gen Z politicians either serving in state legislators or running for U.S. Congress share their experiences and platforms with Zivvy News.

By Dalia Abdelwahab | Zivvy News

As you head to the polls, don’t be surprised to see a Gen Z candidate on the ballot.

The nonpartisan nonprofit Future Caucus reports that at least 21 Gen Z candidates—born between 1997 and 2012—are running for seats in the U.S. Congress, and a whole lot more are running for state legislator positions. Leading up to election day, Zivvy News spoke with nine Gen Z politicians and candidates from across the country, representing a range of political beliefs. They shared how their backgrounds and generational perspectives are shaping their platforms.

It’s not just an age thing

One common experience these young politicians face is dealing with skepticism, often wrapped in ageist attitudes, from older colleagues and voters.

“The term I heard a lot in the House in my first year especially was, ‘oh, my God. I’ve been in office for as long as you’ve been alive,’” says Mana Abdi, a Democratic State Representative from Maine.

Another thing these candidates have in common? They’re trying to shake up the hyper-polarized political landscape—a trend Future Caucus President Layla Zaidane noted in an interview with Zivvy News. “Last year, about 25% of all state legislatures were both Gen Z and Millennials,” she said, “but they were responsible for 40% of all bipartisan legislation. We see that these two generations are punching above their weight when it comes to getting things done.”

And when it comes to proving themselves to skeptical, older colleagues, these Gen Z politicians often take a collaborative approach.

“Even if we disagree politically, they can say, ‘we tried this in the budget 10 years ago and here’s what happened,’” explained Jonathan Karlen, a Democratic State Representative from Montana. “Or, you know, we tried this procedurally and this worked really well or this didn’t.”

Catch the Full Series Below:

1. U.S. House Candidate Anita Chen (R-CA)

Age: 27

After discovering the alarming scope of child sex trafficking in the United States, Chen launched a Congressional campaign centered on becoming a “voice for the voiceless.” Her goal is to champion legislation that supports local nonprofits in equipping survivors with essential tools and skills for rebuilding their lives. Representing a district that spans parts of the San Francisco Bay Area and Silicon Valley, she also seeks to spark more robust discussions around technology and artificial intelligence legislation, areas she believes are lagging behind the rapid pace of innovation.

2. Maryland State Del. Joe Vogel (D)

Age: 27

Joe Vogel ran a spirited campaign for Congress earlier this year, aiming to become his state’s first Gen Z and openly LGBTQ U.S. congressman. Although he was ultimately defeated in the primary election, the Maryland State Delegate remains passionate about encouraging his fellow Gen Z-ers to engage more actively in the political process. Vogel’s platform prioritizes reproductive freedom across the state and climate-conscious legislation. Notably, he co-sponsored a bill that incentivizes state investment in climate solutions technologies and startups—a bill that Maryland Governor Wes Moore signed into law this year.

3. U.S. House Candidate Ben Taylor (Green-NJ)

Age: 25

As a third-party candidate in a solidly blue district in New Jersey, Taylor faces slim chances of winning his U.S. Congressional race. However, he hopes that his campaign as a Green Party candidate will help normalize third-party candidacies and encourage more voters to consider them in future elections. His platform advocates for reallocating U.S. foreign aid from countries like Israel toward progressive domestic initiatives, a stance that has resonated particularly with the district’s large Arab-American and Palestinian-American communities—a strategy reminiscent of Green Party presidential candidate Jill Stein.

4. NH State Rep. Alissandra Murray (D)

Age: 29

As one of the few openly transgender lawmakers in both their state and the country, Murray is dedicated to making New Hampshire a safer place for the LGBTQ community. They acknowledge that this focus on LGBTQ rights became essential amid a surge of proposed bills and laws, both in New Hampshire and nationwide, widely criticized as anti-transgender. In addition to successfully sponsoring the state’s Hate Crimes Prevention Act, Murray is now advancing legislation aimed at expanding housing access and paving the way for cannabis legalization in New Hampshire.

5. North Carolina State Rep. Candidate Wyatt Gable (R)

Age: 21

North Carolina may be viewed as a swing state overall, but Gable first drew attention in the primaries by defeating a 10-term incumbent in a reliably red district. This impressive win makes him a strong contender for a seat in the state’s House of Representatives this week. Gable’s political journey began during his college years, where he served as the President of East Carolina University’s Turning Point USA chapter. He aims to leverage his collegiate experience to shape education-focused policies. One of his key goals is to introduce legislation mandating home economics classes for high school students across the state.

6. Maine State Rep. Mana Abdi (D)

Age: 28

In addition to being one of her state’s first Gen Z lawmakers, Abdi is also among the first Somali-Americans elected to the state legislature. Her platform focuses heavily on economic issues, informed by her experience as a young business owner and her work with students at Bates College’s Office of Intercultural Education. A key priority for Abdi is improving housing accessibility across the state, with initiatives that include expanding mobile home ownership options for the state’s aging population.

7. Montana State Rep. Jonathan Karlen (D)

Age: 25

Before launching his own political career, Karlen served as an intern in the Senate as part of the Max Baucus Leaders program and began his studies at the University of Montana. During his time there, he played a key role in passing state legislation to make hunting and fishing licenses more affordable for out-of-state college students, who previously paid nearly ten times the resident rate. Now, as a state representative, one of Karlen’s primary goals is addressing Montana’s youth suicide crisis—the highest rate in the nation, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Age: 20

McDonnell made history as one of the youngest state legislators in the U.S. when she was elected to the New Hampshire House of Representatives at just 18 years old in 2022. Her legislative efforts center on increasing civic engagement among her generation, inspired by an observation during high school: many of her peers were not standing for the Pledge of Allegiance. In addition to her role in government, she also runs a YouTube channel, where she shares read-alouds of civic-minded children’s books and vlogs about her experiences as a state legislator.

9. Iowa State Rep. Adam Zabner (D)

Age: 25

In addition to being one of Iowa’s first Gen Z lawmakers, Zabner represents the state’s youngest district. This distinction shapes a central part of his platform: retaining Iowa’s young, college-educated residents to combat the state’s “brain drain” problem. He also seeks to make Iowa a more welcoming place for immigrant communities, who comprise over 6 percent of the state’s population, seeing this as another avenue to strengthen Iowa’s future.

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