Millennials and Generation Z candidates filed for Congress in record numbers this election cycle, but about 7 in 10 were out of the race by early September, according to a new report from Future Caucus, a nonpartisan nonprofit that works with younger elected officials.
The group counted 3,918 candidates who filed for Congress, 31% more than in 2024. Among those with known or estimated ages, 36.4% were millennials or Gen Z, up from 23.4% in 2024. The report counts everyone who filed and does not track how many were first-time candidates.
Only 21.2% of Gen Z candidates remained in the race at the report’s September cutoff, compared with 30.2% of millennials, 41.1% of Gen X and 44.5% of baby boomers. Nearly 33% of Gen Z candidates failed to qualify for a primary ballot, compared with 18.3% of millennials and 9.4% of Gen X.
Many younger candidates lack the experience that helps candidates advance. Just 1.7% of Gen Z candidates and 9% of millennials have served in a state legislature. Among challengers with age data, nearly 40% of those with legislative experience reached the general election, compared with 26.2% of those without it. Incumbents averaged 59 years old, nearly 9 years older than challengers.
Women made up 17.1% of Gen Z candidates, compared with 26.6% of millennials and 30.7% of Gen X. Younger candidates were disproportionately Democrats.
“They’re done waiting for somebody else to fix the problems,” Future Caucus President and CEO Layla Zaidane told Axios. She said Gen Z candidates running outside the two major parties face steep hurdles in raising money, recruiting volunteers and building name recognition.
Some young candidates have won. Melat Kiros, 29, a democratic socialist, defeated 15-term Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Colo., in the June 30 primary for a Denver-area seat. In Iowa, Joe Mitchell, 29, a Republican and former state lawmaker, won his party’s nomination June 2 for an open House seat.