All summer, I’ve held weekly political focus groups with potential Gen Z voters.
We’ve covered a lot of ground:
Their swingy politics and how their perspectives have shifted since 2024
And why they’re “not asking for too much” by demanding social services
In each of these conversations, there’s been a common, often understated through line — one that’s now shining me right in the face.
I really can’t stress enough how rational most young people are — and their politics reflect that.
My generation’s politics have been sensationalized since the oldest amongst us became eligible to vote in 2016. First we were seen as harbingers of change that would help elect the first woman president, then we were revered as champions for racial and social justice that would save democracy — and later, once the younger half of Gen Z entered the picture, studied ad nauseam for shifting right and rebuking woke-ism while embracing the manosphere and trad-wife culture. Today, we’re all seen as socialists.
From my point-of-view, these trends are each worth examining with a fine-tooth comb. But when I zoom out and really listen to what Gen Zers have been telling me about their politics for years, it’s actually kind of… simple.
Across the country, Gen Z Americans really just want their politicians to be good, honest people, who do good for their community and country. That means tackling the high cost of living, working to fund government programs like SNAP and WIC, embracing social policies like affordable healthcare, housing, and education, and — today — regulating AI. It’s not that complicated. And it’s party agnostic.