OpenSecrets identified at least four current Gen Z candidates – two Democrats and two Republicans – vying for congressional seats in the 2022 election cycle: Maxwell Alejandro Frost in the Democratic primary for Florida’s 10th Congressional District, Karoline Leavitt and state Rep. Tim Baxter (R) in the Republican primary for New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District and Raymond Reed in the Democratic primary for Missouri’s 2nd Congressional District.
Another Republican Gen Z candidate, Matt Foldi, ran in Maryland’s July 19 primary for the state’s 6th Congressional District but lost to state delegate Neil Parrott after only raising around $222,600. Reuven Hendler, a Democratic Gen Z candidate who ran on a “Medicare for All” platform in New Jersey’s 3rd Congressional District, also lost his primary to incumbent Rep. Andy Kim (D–N.J.) by 86%. Hendler did not report raising any money. Skylar Williams, another Gen Z candidate, also lost his Democratic primary bid in Montana’s 2nd Congressional District. Williams raised $4,661 but managed to win over 18% of the vote in that district.
The 2022 midterm elections mark the first time in 16 years that millennials won’t be the youngest generation eligible for U.S. congressional office. Gen Z Americans – or anyone born between 1997 and 2012 – can now be on the ballot.
