Mitchell and Alfonso Lead Small Cohort of Gen Z GOP Candidates
Just a handful of candidates born in the 2000s seek House seats this year, with most facing steep odds in deep blue districts.
By Kevin Iyer ·
Joe Mitchell, a 29 year old former state senator, is one of the few Gen Z Republicans seeking a congressional seat in the 2026 midterms. He runs in Iowa's second district, a race analysts describe as competitive. The district is considered a tossup as voters express dissatisfaction with President Trump and Democrats move closer to controlling the House.
If Mitchell wins, he would join a very small group of young Republicans entering Congress. The broader field of Gen Z candidates remains limited. Most are running in reliably red districts or are longshots in safe blue seats. This marks the first potential class of Gen Z members from the Republican Party.
Mitchell attributes his campaign momentum to voter desire for new faces. He states that people across party lines want to see young people involved in government. His platform focuses on what he calls an anti corruption approach. He proposes a six term limit for House members and a ban on congressional stock trading. He has also declined donations from corporate PACs.
Currently, only one Gen Z member serves in the House: Maxwell Frost, a 29 year old Democrat from Florida. Two more candidates are expected to win on Tuesday. Melat Kiros, a 29 year old Democratic socialist, is favored in Colorado's first district. Michael Alfonso, a 26 year old Republican, is expected to win Wisconsin's seventh district.
Alfonso, who is married to the daughter of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, would become the first person born in the 2000s to serve in Congress. In a recent interview with Wisconsin Public Radio, he described his age as his greatest advantage. He emphasized shared values with his constituents, citing hard work, faith, and family.
Running for office at a young age remains rare. The House requires candidates to be at least 25 years old, a threshold the oldest members of Gen Z only reached recently. According to Future Caucus, a nonpartisan organization, only 4% of congressional candidates nationwide this cycle are part of Gen Z. This generation was the least likely to win primaries compared to other age groups.
Data from Future Caucus shows that most Gen Z candidates ran as Democrats. Under a third filed as Republicans, while 16% were unaffiliated or third party. Adam Pennings, executive director of Run Gen Z, an organization founded by Mitchell, says the group is building a bench of young conservatives. The organization announced endorsements for more than 220 Gen Z and millennial candidates in late October.
Riley Owen, a 28 year old Republican running in Utah's first district, acknowledges the difficulty of his race. The district heavily favors Democrats after redistricting. Owen remains optimistic, stating that voters want new solutions and fresh ideas. He believes a grassroots campaign can connect with those who are hungry for change.
Mitchell describes the future of the Republican Party as an America First party. He argues that younger candidates will prioritize how policies help the American people. He notes that this view aligns with Vice President JD Vance and other cabinet members. The definition of America First has become a point of contention within the GOP, particularly regarding the U.S. war with Iran.
Mitchell has not opposed the war in Iran. He states that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon but does not support endless wars. He believes Trump's agenda fits his definition of America First, though he acknowledges that interpretations of the phrase vary.
