The average age of U.S. senators in 2024 was 65.3 –just two years below retirement age (Pew). Baby Boomers made up 66% of the Senate and 65% of the House, despite representing only 20% of the U.S. population (Pew, Statista). In contrast, Millennials and Gen Z make up a combined 42% of the U.S. population but only 15% of Congress –the majority of the 15% are Millennials, since Gen Z is not yet old enough to run for Senate. This lack of generational representation isn’t limited to the legislative branch: the 2024 presidential election featured the two oldest presidential candidates in U.S. history.
Now more than ever, Americans are growing tired of what many would describe as a U.S. gerontocracy. In 2023, 79% of Americans were in favor of setting an age limit for elected officials, and 74% supported age limits for Supreme Court justices (Pew). Despite overwhelming public sentiment, little has changed in terms of the generational makeup of the government. A major reason for this is on average, older Americans vote at higher rates than younger ones –a consistent trend across party lines. In the 2024 presidential election, the majority of nonvoters were under 50. Younger people also tend to be less interested in politics: 34% of adults ages 18-29 and 34% of those 30-44 don’t follow politics closely (AP).
Much of this disengagement comes from young people feeling ignored. During the 2024 presidential election, more than one-third of people ages 18-34 were never contacted about the election by any campaign or organization (CIRCLE). Moreover, 64% of that age group,18-34, said that the cost of living was one of their top priorities, yet neither major candidate offered policies that could directly address their concerns (CIRCLE). Donald Trump’s major economic proposal –tariffs on goods made outside of the U.S– was intended to create more domestic jobs (AP). However, tariffs typically raise the price of goods, increasing the cost of living, which goes against young voters’ primary concerns. Kamala Harris’ major economic policies were focused on small-business owners, first-time homebuyers, and families with children (BBC). However, many young people can’t afford to start a business, buy a home, or have children, meaning these policies do little to improve their material conditions, leaving the youth to feel overlooked.
That’s not to say young people are apathetic about politics. Early in the Harris campaign, younger voters embraced her online, with pop artist Charli XCX tweeting “Kamala IS brat.” Likewise, Brenie Sanders’ immense appeal among young voters in the 2016 presidential primary shows that young people are more than willing to engage when they feel represented. The challenge is that career politicians fail to translate the excitement they had into votes and long-term political engagement –the Harris campaign being a prime example of that struggle.
Enter Zohran Mamdani, a New York City mayoral candidate whose campaign managed to galvanize young people like never before. At only 33 years old, Mamdanni began his primary campaign with about 1% support in the polls. He was viewed as a fringe far-left candidate with little experience in electoral politics. His campaign strategy was unconventional and seemingly risky; he focused on targeting young voters –a demographic that is often regarded as inconsistent.
Mamdanni spoke directly to young New Yorkers, centering his outreach on platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Unlike other politicians who use social media similarly to TV ads, Mamdanni’s demonstrated a genuine understanding of New York Culture. The informal nature of social media allowed Mamdanni to be seen less as a politician and more as a peer –someone who shared the same culture as his audience.
For instance, in mid-2025, as the New York Knicks made a strong run for their first championship since 1973, the city’s energy was electric. Mamdani’s decision to prioritize social media allowed him to take advantage of that excitement more efficiently than his opponents. Mamdanni became a social media phenomenon and became popular even outside of New York City, his team created viral videos that didn’t feel out of place like more conventional advertisements.
Still, Mamdani’s campaign wasn’t driven by social media alone. It was incredibly focused on issues young voters care about, having a clear set of policies that anchored it: making buses free, freezing the rent, city-owned grocery stores, and no-cost childcare, all tied together by the theme of them being affordability. These proposals directly addressed the economic pressures facing young New Yorkers and turned his social media popularity into real-world action. By the height of his campaign, Mamdani’s team had built a network of 50,000 volunteers (zohranfornyc).
The results were clear. In a massive upset, Mamdani won by 12.8 points, an extraordinary upset and a far cry from his initial 1% support (PBS). His campaign also changed voter demographics: more than 60% of newly registered voters turned out, double the rate of already registered voters, and for the first time in decades, voters aged 18-29 had the highest turnout of any age group, making up 35.2% of the electorate (nycvotes).
Whether Mamdani wins or not, it is undeniable that his campaign is one of the most important of the decade. He illustrated the potential of young voters when you engage with them. The success of his primary campaign shows that young voters don’t have to be an inconsistent bloc, and it has inspired many young people to engage in politics more.