Millennials and Gen Z’s participation in politics decline, but not for all young people in Lincoln

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – According to the website Future Caucus, most people in the Gen X and Millennial age groups are losing interest in running for office, but for some in Lincoln, there are many reasons for young people to keep pushing ahead.

The report gave several reasons for an overall decline such as political violence, stagnant pay and unfriendly environment for those wanting to start families.

However, the secretary for the UNL College Republicans group, Niklas Stefanik, has a different take on the decline.

“I think that may be because they kind of feel failed by the system in a way, just because of the continuous government turmoil that we have seen, political culture in our society,” said Stefanik.

“I think that kind of turns some people off and then some people really do get into that,” he said.

But Stefanik says he still has high hopes for the future of his generation.

“Once we kind of age out of college and the rest of Gen Z comes in, I think we will be one of the most politically active generations,” he said.

Another man taking part in his political power is Jayden Speed, who is running for Nebraska’s second legislative district.

If he is elected, he will be one of the youngest state senators at the age of 21.

Speed talks about his reasons for taking this path.

“I started going to the legislature and testifying on bills when I was 13, and my drive to politics has always been my upbringing,” he said.

“I grew up poor in rural Nebraska. I was a kid that relied on programs like Head Start and Medicaid and SNAP benefits, so to me, politics and policy was always very personal,” said Speed.

Both Speed and Stefanik agree that getting involved in any avenue of politics brings out the power of the people.

“You have such power here in Lincoln, whether it’s in the state senate or congressional, your voice really does matter when it comes to policy, and you do have an important input as a student,” said Stefanik.

“You might not be interested in politics, but politics is interested in you. There’s a number of things in your daily life and in the opportunities that you will have that is going to be crafted by state policy,” said Speed.

Future Caucus adds if the decline of young people in politics keeps up, a popular fear is that the majority of law makers could be shielded by issues address younger voters.