Ray Reed, 25, is one of many voices that make up Generation Z (born between 1997-2012). He is a part of a new movement that is making a bid to take on the establishment in Washington, D.C.
The oldest members of Gen Z became eligible to run for congressional office this year. Reed, a progressive Democrat, launched a campaign to fill Missouri’s second congressional seat. His political ambition was sparked at a backyard bonfire with friends following the 2020 presidential election.
“We were talking about some issues that we care about,” Reed said. “We care about student loan forgiveness, universal healthcare, union rights, and reproductive rights. And what stood between me and working on these issues was this federal office.”
Reed was defeated in the Democratic primary race but there are other Gen Z candidates running.
Former Trump aide Karoline Leavitt won the Republican nomination in New Hampshire’s 1st Congressional District and Maxwell Frost, a “March for Our Lives” organizer, won the Democratic primary in Florida’s 10th Congressional District.
Political analyst and sociology professor Dr. SIlas Lee said Gen Z’s involvement in politics will only grow and many are eager to run.
“It’s a very courageous generation, in a sense that, they recognize the challenges that they have inherited, but they are not afraid or insecure about addressing them,” Dr. Lee said.
He added there are many misconceptions about this generation.
“The stereotype is that they rely more on social media and technology,” Dr. Lee said. “In reality, Generation Z is a generation that values in-person communication, they see it as a value in terms of authenticity, relatability reassuring people, something that social media and technology cannot replace. So, it’s a very balanced generation, that more people have to learn about.”
However, when it comes to political experience, that could go either way.
“Some candidates who are in Generation Z, depending on their experience, level of maturity, and the ability to communicate and reassure voters what they will do for them,” Dr. Lee said. “We’ve seen the opposite happen with candidates that were more seasoned and older, people say, well, they should give it up, you’re too old, or you cannot relate to people.”
A big criticism Reed faced during his campaign was that he lacked political experience.
“He’s a kid. He doesn’t really belong here. Maybe if we were to get him in the system for a few years and teach him how to play the game our way, then maybe one day he’ll be ready,” Reed said. “But my attitude towards that was no, people weren’t necessarily looking for someone who knew how to play the game better. They wanted someone who could stop the game that’s being played in Washington.”
Gen Z is not waiting for anyone else to solve its problems and you can expect them to make a big push this midterm.
Since the 2020 presidential election, more than 8 million Gen Z members turned 18 and are eligible to vote in November, according to the Center for Information & Research on Civic Learning and Engagement,
