Young members of Iowa legislature form bipartisan caucus
February 22, 2019
DES MOINES — Senators Zach Nunn (R-15) and Zach Wahls (D-37) and Representatives Lindsay James (D-99) and Joe Mitchell (R-84) announced the creation of the Iowa Future Caucus, a brand-new caucus comprised of legislators age 40 and under.
The announcement is part of a nation-wide movement in statehouses across the country where Millennial legislators are seeking to find common ground in an era of hyper-partisanship. With the launch, Iowa becomes the 28th state to join Millennial Action Project’s national State Future Caucus Network.
Iowa 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.
“When young legislators put party lines aside and come together to create bipartisan solutions to major issues, the possibilities are endless. It is amazing to see the State Future Caucus Network continue to grow across the nation,” said Steven Olikara, founder and president of Millennial Action Project. “Thank you to Senators Nunn and Wahls and Representatives Mitchell and James for leading this movement in Iowa.”
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.
Nunn said he was honored to serve as co-chair.
“As we look toward the future, we need to ensure an ongoing bipartisan dialogue to better address the issues facing young Iowans, generational Iowans, and the future of Iowa,” he said. “The opportunity to collaborate on issues ranging from quality of life, first-time homeownership, broadband expansion, educational investment and career readiness will ensure Iowa is delivering world-class opportunities for every community in the Hawkeye State.”
Mitchell said collaboration across party lines is crucial to ensuring common ground is found on issues facing Millennials.
“It is an honor to co-chair the Iowa Future Caucus with Sens. Nunn and Wahls and Rep. James,” he said.
, “and I look forward to fostering bipartisan dialogue among young legislators.”
Young leaders need to encourage others to become involved in the democratic process, James said.
“We need to work together,” he said, “across party lines, on issues that impact the lives of young Iowans in a positive way.”
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