One of the most common misconceptions about politics is that candidates and elected persons have to be older, experienced and a veteran of legislature. In all respects, there is nothing wrong with being a seasoned politician. In fact, the experiences gained by aged politicians have probably come in handy on more than one occasion.
"When a 25-year-old looks at their state legislature or federal congress, they see almost no similarities. In order to get young people involved in government we must turn the pages of government." Bryce Smith, current candidate for Iowa House of Representatives said.
We have this new, upcoming generation taking the reigns and beginning to develop all sorts of opinions unlike any other generation that has come before, and our voices are not being heard like they should be. We have the capabilities of leadership and to be able to make impactful decisions in our world, but it is a challenge to receive the opportunity.
When a twenty-something Millennial has a political opinion, no matter which party it aligns with, it's common to get the "aw, isn't that cute?" response from our older friends and family. We feel uncredited, as if our thoughts are not good enough.
Nate Boulton, current candidate for the Iowa Senate said, "Younger Iowans must be part of the political process to ensure that our state's future is not only promising, but that we actually deliver on our promises and obligations to the next generation."
While the current status of young politicians running for local, state and even national politics is rising, it's not as high as it could be. The ones that are bold enough to take a risk and accept the challenge bring a whole new dynamic to the table. They're edgy, modern, and capable of changing along with this world around us. They push the envelope on issues that matter to the generation they're a part of. They think about the future, because it is their future too.
Politicians who've held their seats for years upon years will begin to notice the changes happening before their eyes. Soon, the person they'd sat next to for term after term will be replaced with a new, bright-eyed individual with passion and a drive to make a difference, and they're not alone. We, the every-day-individuals who are impacted by all forms of legislature, are ready for the change.
We need young people that can grow right along with us, developing around the needs of a society that is rapidly changing. That is what we need in our politics; blossoming millennial leaders to take charge.
