Gen Z politicians who want to make a change grapple with parties that aren’t always ready for them

October 8, 2026

Angel Roeser, a 25-year-old Kansas state representative, faced backlash from Republican leadership after voting against a measure to change how state Supreme Court justices are selected, ultimately choosing not to seek reelection after just one term. Despite party pressure and alleged ostracization, her vote aligned with her constituents' preferences when voters overwhelmingly rejected the proposal at the polls. Both Roeser and Reed Krewson, a 24-year-old Democratic candidate, represent a generation of young politicians who feel excluded from decision-making despite being courted for votes.

Who is affected

Angel Roeser, 25-year-old Republican state representative who did not seek reelection
Reed Krewson, 24-year-old Democratic candidate running unopposed for Kansas House
Generation Z voters (43% unaffiliated with any party; almost 50 million Americans ages 18-29 eligible to vote)
Young women legislators facing AI-generated images and unique political challenges
Kansas State University students and young voters in Roeser's Manhattan-area district
Brandon Woodard, 36-year-old House Minority Leader
Lindsay Vaughn, young Democratic legislator who declined to seek reelection
Kansas teachers who cannot afford to live in the districts where they teach
Young people with student loan debt seeking affordable housing

What action is being taken

Reed Krewson is running unopposed for a Kansas House seat
Krewson serves as president of Kansas Young Democrats
Roeser is working as a business strategist after leaving the legislature
Young legislators are advocating for issues including AI regulations, affordable housing, and higher education funding
The Kansas Legislature is holding sessions with lawmakers averaging 59 years old

Why it matters

This situation matters because Generation Z represents almost 50 million eligible voters but lacks meaningful representation in government leadership, with most positions held by septuagenarians and older officials. When young people are excluded from decision-making tables as elected officials or engaged voters, politics fails to reflect the population as a whole and neglects unique needs of an entire generation. Young legislators bring recent lived experiences on critical issues like affordable housing, student debt, technology regulation, and education funding that older lawmakers may not understand or prioritize. The financial barriers to serving in part-time legislative roles (requiring independent wealth or retirement income) systematically exclude everyday working people, particularly young professionals starting careers and families, from representing their communities.

What's next

Reed Krewson will take office in January as Kansas's likely youngest legislator
Angel Roeser will continue her career as a business strategist outside of elected office
The 4.4 percent legislative pay raise that lawmakers overrode Governor Kelly's veto to approve may enable more young people to serve in future sessions

Read full article from source: The 19th