Young Republicans: New faces in tight congressional races

Voters in northeast Iowa face a choice in the second congressional district that could bring a new demographic to Washington. Joe Mitchell, 29, is running for the seat with President Trump’s endorsement. If he wins, he would join a small group of Generation Z lawmakers, marking the first time this cohort serves in Congress as a distinct class.

Mitchell’s platform focuses on structural changes to reduce corruption. He proposes a six-term limit for House members and a ban on congressional stock trading. He has also rejected donations from corporate political action committees. Mitchell describes this approach as an anti-corruption agenda rooted in the concerns of Americans under 30, who report high levels of distrust in institutions.

The candidate argues that young voters are frustrated with the current political system. He stated that people across party lines are looking for hope and want to see young people get involved. This sentiment aligns with data from Future Caucus, a nonpartisan organization, which found that only 4% of congressional candidates this cycle were part of Gen Z. That group had the lowest success rate in passing primary elections compared to other generations.

Mitchell is not alone in this effort. Michael Alfonso, 26, is expected to win Wisconsin’s 7th district. If elected, Alfonso would be the first person born in the 2000s to serve in Congress. He is married to the daughter of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. Alfonso, who called his age his greatest advantage in an interview with Wisconsin Public Radio, cites hard work, faith, and family as core values he shares with his district.

Another Gen Z candidate, Riley Owen, 28, is running in Utah’s newly redrawn 1st congressional district. The seat heavily favors Democrats, making his campaign a longshot. Owen said he is not naive to the political realities but remains optimistic that people want new faces and fresh ideas. He noted that voters want to take risks, start businesses, and live the American dream, and that the conservative movement can provide solutions for those goals.

Organizers are working to build a bench of young conservative leaders. Adam Pennings, executive director of Run Gen Z, said the goal is to prepare young people for leadership when long-term serving politicians retire. His organization announced endorsements for more than 220 Gen Z and millennial conservatives in late October. Pennings noted that while young people need a seat at the table, they do not need to be the only ones there.

The future direction of the Republican Party remains a topic of discussion among these candidates. Mitchell describes the party's future as an America First party that asks how policies help the American people. He believes this trend will come from younger candidates and is shared by Vice President JD Vance and other cabinet members. The meaning of America First has become a point of contention within the GOP, particularly regarding the U.S. war with Iran. Mitchell has not come out against the war but said he does not support endless wars, adding that people can interpret the definition in various ways.