29-year-old Iowa candidate seeks first Gen Z GOP seat in Congress

Joe Mitchell, 29, is competing for Iowa's second congressional district, one of the few House races currently considered a tossup. If he wins, he would join a historic cohort as one of the first Gen Z Republicans to serve in Congress. The district is competitive because voters are dissatisfied with President Trump, and Democrats view taking control of the House as increasingly possible.

Mitchell holds the endorsement of President Trump. He is part of a small group of Gen Z Republicans running for House seats this fall. Aside from Mitchell, only a handful of other candidates in this demographic are seeking office. One is running in a reliably red district, while the others are challenging in seats that are safe for Democrats.

The former state senator and real estate developer says voters respond to the idea of new leadership. "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." He has called for term limits in the House, capping service at six terms, and a ban on congressional stock trading. He has also rejected campaign donations from corporate PACs.

Currently, only one member of the House is part of Gen Z: 29-year-old Florida Democrat Maxwell Frost. Two more candidates are expected to win on Tuesday. Democratic socialist Melat Kiros, 29, is favored in Colorado's 1st district. Republican Michael Alfonso, 26, is expected to carry Wisconsin's 7th district. Alfonso, a political newcomer endorsed by Trump, is married to the daughter of Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy. If elected, Alfonso would be the first person born in the 2000s to serve in Congress.

Alfonso described his age as his "greatest advantage." "I have the same values of everyone here in the 7th [district]," he said. "Hard work, faith and family." According to a report from Future Caucus, a nonpartisan organization, just 4% of congressional candidates nationwide this cycle were part of Gen Z. This group was the least likely of any generation to pass the primary. A majority of Gen Z candidates ran as Democrats, while under a third filed as Republicans.

Adam Pennings, executive director of Run Gen Z, an organization helping young conservatives, said the group needs to build up leaders ready to serve when long-term incumbents retire. "Young people need a seat at the table," Pennings said. "We need to be building up young people who are ready to lead in the future when some of these more, you know, long-term serving people retire." In late October, the organization announced endorsements for more than 220 Gen Z and millennial conservatives running across the country.

Mitchell argues the future of the Republican Party is an "America First party." He believes this approach asks how policies help the American people. He noted that Vice President JD Vance and other cabinet members share this view. However, the meaning of "America First" has become contentious within the conservative movement, particularly regarding the U.S. war with Iran. Mitchell has said Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon but does not support "endless wars." He believes Trump's agenda aligns with his definition of the term.