Inside a Gen Z campaign to shake up Congress

Joe Vogel is running in the Democratic primary for a competitive district in Maryland. At 27 years old, he's aiming to be the second Gen Z member of Congress.

In an election year partially defined by Gen Z’s exhaustion with politics, Joe Vogel is energized by it.

At 27 years old, the Democrat became the youngest Maryland state delegate in history. He won his legislative seat in 2022, replacing a 16-year incumbent who retired. Now, Vogel has his eyes set on Capitol Hill and is running a campaign to fill Maryland’s open 6th Congressional District. Democratic Rep. David Trone currently holds the seat but is running for Senate this year. 

The median age of lawmakers in the House of Representatives is 57.9, and Baby Boomers still represent the largest share (45%) of the House by generation, according to Pew Research.

Right now, Democratic Rep. Maxwell Frost is the only member of Gen Z in Congress, representing a district in Central Florida.

“I’m glad that we have someone from our generation speaking up for us, but we need more folks to come join them,” Vogel said. 

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2024-election/gen-z-campaign-congress-joe-vogel-maryland-rcna149593

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