How Gen Z Republicans running for Congress are thinking about the future of the party

In northeast Iowa, 29-year-old Joe Mitchell is vying to represent the state's second congressional district. It's a competitive race, one of just a handful considered to be a tossup, as voters sour on President Trump and Democrats see control of Congress as increasingly in reach. Mitchell has the president's endorsement, and if he's successful, he would head to Washington D.C. next year as part of a new cohort: the first-ever class of Gen Z Republicans in Congress.

It wouldn't be a large class. Aside from Mitchell, just a handful of other Gen Z Republicans are in the running for House seats this fall. One is running in a reliably red district.

The rest are longshots, vying for what's seen as safe blue seats. While their numbers may be small, Mitchell says the idea of a new generation of leaders in Washington is something that voters have been responding to on the campaign trail. "I think people are looking for hope, regardless of what party they're in," he said.

"They want to see young people get involved, and I hear that everywhere we go." The former state senator and real estate developer says his platform can speak to Iowans on both sides of the aisle. He's calling for term limits in the House, with a maximum of six terms, as well as a ban on congressional stock trading. He says he has also rejected campaign donations from corporate PACs.

It's all part of an "anti-corruption platform," a focus he says is uniquely rooted in his generation, as Americans under 30 report high levels of concern for their economic wellbeing and distrust of institutions. "I just think that young people — on both sides of the aisle or no party affiliates — are frustrated with the system," he said. "They're frustrated and they should be." Currently, just one member of the House is part of Gen Z: 29-year-old Florida Democrat Maxwell Frost.

However, two additional candidates are expected to win on Tuesday. Democratic socialist Melat Kiros, 29, is favored to win in Colorado's 1st district, a reliably blue seat. Republican Michael Alfonso, 26, is expected to carry Wisconsin's 7th district, a heavily Republican seat.