As the political power and influence of the Baby Boomers—those born from 1946-1964—and the Silent generation—before 1946—wanes, who will fill the void?
Gen X—1965-1980—should comprise a large chunk of those in positions of power as the Boomers step aside, but Millennials—1981-1996—are in there taking charge as well. Several prominent voices in Congress are Millennials.
The 117th Congress saw Boomer and Silent generations still controlling 79% of the United States Senate, but their hold on the House of Representatives dropped to 58% with Gen X comprising 34% and Millennials making up 8% of the House.
In January, a whole new generation will join them as Democratic Representative-elect Maxwell Alejandro Frost is sworn in to represent Florida’s 10th congressional district. Born in 1997, the 25-year-old community organizer and activist will be the first member of Gen Z in Congress.
\u201cGen Z will finally have a say in Congress. \n\nCurrently, the average age of a House member is 58, and more than 80% of members are Gen X or baby boomers. #Election2022 https://t.co/E5U0XuXWwr\u201d— Vox (@Vox) 1668006300
Frost shared the news on his own Twitter account.
None— Ezra Levin (@Ezra Levin) 1667956809
Since then Frost has hit the ground running.
He traveled to Washington D.C. for orientation and took the opportunity to weigh in on the issues he campaigned on.
\u201cWe\u2019re at Congressional Freshman Orientation with @USProgressives! Let\u2019s go change the world! \n\n@SummerForPA @MaxwellFrostFL\u201d— Greg Casar (@Greg Casar) 1668351110
\u201cGot to meet my brother in this struggle @BCross052422 yesterday. He is the embodiment of what it means to honor with action. \n\nBrett, I\u2019m in this fight with you man. We will have justice. We will #EndGunViolence.\u201d— Maxwell Alejandro Frost (@Maxwell Alejandro Frost) 1668720422
\u201cYesterday, I joined survivors, Organizers, students, & future members to advocate for an Assault Weapons Ban. The Senate should have a vote on this lifesaving legislation that the House already passed. I don\u2019t care if I\u2019m not sworn in yet, the work starts now. #EndGunViolence\u201d— Maxwell Alejandro Frost (@Maxwell Alejandro Frost) 1668719936
\u201cFirst Gen Z member of congress - and gun safety advocate - @MaxwellFrostFL isn\u2019t even sworn in yet but he\u2019s outside the Senate with March for our Lives demanding Schumer pass the assault weapons ban\u201d— Elizabeth Landers (@Elizabeth Landers) 1668620293
\u201cFlorida is here. @JaredEMoskowitz\u201d— Maxwell Alejandro Frost (@Maxwell Alejandro Frost) 1668518964
\u201cya\u2019ll\u2026. it\u2019s starting to hit me \ud83d\ude33\u201d— Maxwell Alejandro Frost (@Maxwell Alejandro Frost) 1668399323
\u201c.5 at Congressional Progressive Caucus Orientation: \u2705\u201d— Maxwell Alejandro Frost (@Maxwell Alejandro Frost) 1668362354
\u201c.@MaxwellFrostFL has it right; THIS is how to handle Donald Trump and Ye\u2019s return to Twitter. For now, this platform is not replaceable. I will stay and use it against them, not cede this space/the community we\u2019ve build to bigots and wannabe autocrats.\u201d— LeftOfTheDial (@LeftOfTheDial) 1668982347
Gen Z gives every indication they intend to be engaged in shaping their own future.
Statistics from the 2022 midterms show a politically active Gen Z was a factor in staving off a red wave.
\u201c@davidhogg111 @MaxwellFrostFL We (Blue Boomers) owe the Gen Z voters everything. Make sure you keep demanding we do what's right. C'mon youngin's, take the reins and lead this old wagon out of the woods. I have every confidence in you in the coming decades!\u201d— David Hogg \u262e\ufe0f (@David Hogg \u262e\ufe0f) 1668390225
Politically active is a good description for Maxwell Frost who has been organizing support and outreach since 2012—when he was 15—promoting Barack Obama's reelection.
He also volunteered for the Newtown Action Alliance—an organization created after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, Connecticut in 2012.
\u201cThe youngest member of the next Congress, Maxwell Frost, saying he got involved in politics 10 years ago (when he was 15) after the Sandy Hook shooting.\u201d— Farnoush Amiri (@Farnoush Amiri) 1668356436
Since then Frost has worked to promote the campaigns of Bernie Sanders and Hillary Clinton and several voting rights initiatives.
He served as the national organizing director for March for Our Lives—an organization begun by young people after the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida in 2018.
Frost himself is a survivor of gun violence from a Halloween incident in Orlando, Florida in 2016 when he was 19.
His successful congressional campaign advocated for progressive policies including stronger gun control and Medicare for all.
You can see one of Frost's campaign ads here:
\u201cGun violence is an everyday occurrence, the Supreme Court has stripped away abortion rights, & affordable housing is in a crisis. We need bold leaders who will fight for transformational change. A leader who will fight for Orlando.\u201d— Maxwell Alejandro Frost (@Maxwell Alejandro Frost) 1659025463
Congratulations Representative-elect Frost on your history making win.
