This piece was originally published in the Opinion section of USA Today as part of a content partnership between USA Today and SUNN.
Millions of Americans – a third of whom were Gen Z or millennials – voted in the 2026 midterm elections. I turn 18 in a few days, which feels kind of like being born the day after Christmas, so the only vote I cast was in my school’s mock election.
I had done my research and knew who my candidates were for Tennessee governor, for my House of Representatives district and my state legislature officials; I knew where I stood on the three amendments to our state constitution. When I hit submit and snapped a selfie with my “I Voted” sticker, I felt ready to turn 18, ready to start my January internship in the office of Bill Hagerty, a Republican senator from Tennessee, and ready to vote in the 2028 presidential election.
I didn’t yet know about the blue wave and the slide to the left among young voters in the midterms. But I still feel hopeful, and not just because the conservative candidates I voted for in my mock election won in my home state.
I’m well aware of the criticisms and stereotypes of young conservative voters – that we’re “trad,” anti-woke or resistant to diversity and progress.
On the contrary, this is a time of growth, creativity and opportunity for young Republicans. I’m here to tell you there are good reasons for new conservative voters and almost-voters like me to be excited.
The blue wave didn’t wash away young Republicans’ hopes
To start with, I’m shaping my partisan identity at a time of change and possibility for young voters. While polling suggests many Gen Z voters broke left in the midterms, an estimate before the midterms found that only 33% of young Americans definitely planned to vote, meaning a large majority still has to be mobilized.
