Young Republicans Aim to Win Congressional Seats in Tough Races

Just 4% of congressional candidates nationwide in this election cycle belong to Generation Z. This group is the least likely of any generation to advance past the primary stage, according to a report from the Future Caucus. The nonpartisan organization tracks young people running for elected office.

Joe Mitchell, 29, is running for the second congressional district in Iowa. The race is considered a tossup as voters grow dissatisfied with President Donald Trump. Mitchell holds the president's endorsement. If he wins, he will join a small class of young lawmakers in Washington D.C. Next year.

Mitchell is a former state senator and real estate developer. He is part of the first-ever cohort of Generation Z Republicans seeking the House. Only a few other candidates from this generation are on the ballot this fall. One is running in a reliably red district. The others are longshots competing in seats considered safe for Democrats.

"I think people are looking for hope, regardless of what party they're in," Mitchell said. "They want to see young people get involved, and I hear that everywhere we go."

Mitchell’s platform focuses on anti-corruption measures. He supports a maximum of six terms for House members. He also wants to ban congressional stock trading. He has rejected campaign donations from corporate political action committees. He says this focus reflects the economic concerns and institutional distrust held by Americans under 30.

Currently, only one member of the House is part of Generation Z. That member is Maxwell Frost, a 29-year-old Democrat from Florida. Two other candidates are expected to win on Tuesday. Melat Kiros, 29, is favored to win in Colorado's 1st district. Michael Alfonso, 26, is expected to carry Wisconsin's 7th district.

Alfonso is a political newcomer endorsed by Trump. He is married to the daughter of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. If elected, Alfonso will be the first person born in the 2000s to serve in Congress. In an interview, Alfonso called his age his greatest advantage. He said he shares values of hard work, faith, and family with voters in his district.

Adam Pennings is the executive director of Run Gen Z. The organization helps young conservatives run for office. Mitchell initially founded and ran the group. Pennings said young people need a seat at the table to prepare for future leadership roles. The group announced endorsements for more than 220 young conservative candidates in late October.

Riley Owen, 28, is a Republican running for Utah's newly redrawn 1st congressional district. The district heavily favors Democrats. Owen acknowledged the political realities of his race. He said voters are hungry for new solutions and fresh ideas from grassroots campaigns.

Mitchell believes the future of the Republican Party is an America First party. He said younger candidates are asking how policies help the American people. He noted that Vice President JD Vance and other cabinet members hold that view. Mitchell has not come out against the U.S. War with Iran. He said Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon but cautioned against endless wars. When asked if Trump's agenda matches his definition of America First, Mitchell said it does, but noted that people can interpret the phrase in different ways.