The Age of Power: Why It’s Time to Elect Younger Politicians

Source: Squarespace/ Unsplash

The Age Disconnect

For generations, American politics has been led by figures who have held onto power well into their seventies and eighties. While age can bring wisdom and experience, there’s a growing disconnect between those governing and the world they’re shaping.

We live in an era defined by rapid technological change, climate instability, and shifting cultural norms—yet our leadership often reflects a different century. As challenges grow more complex and fast-moving, the case for electing younger politicians becomes not just compelling, but urgent.

The average age in Congress remains well above 60, and the last few presidential elections have essentially been contests between Baby Boomers and members of the Silent Generation. Many of these geriatric leaders also seriously lack integrity, ethical leadership, and moral principles. Their decisions are driven by lobbyists and an insatiable greed for staying in power at the cost of productivity and meaningful change. Oftentimes, their political stances are glaringly hypocritical and devoid of reason. Many politicians don’t even bother to explain how they vote or legislate anymore fully aware that they are legislating in plain view against the best interests of their constituents.

Meanwhile, Millennials and Gen Z—who together represent a significant portion of the population—have barely begun to gain political representation. These generations are not only underrepresented; they’re also often unheard, dismissed as “naive” or “inexperienced,” despite living through recessions, school shootings, student debt, and a pandemic before even reaching middle age.

Younger Politicians

Younger politicians offer more than just a fresh face. They bring lived experiences shaped by the digital economy, climate crisis, rising inequality, and cultural diversity. They are more likely to push for action on issues like reproductive rights, criminal justice reform, student loan relief, and climate policy—not because they’ve read about these issues in reports, but because they live with the consequences of inaction. Younger leaders also tend to communicate differently—more directly, more transparently, and with less patience for political theater.

Physical fitness is also just as crucial as mental fitness for politicians, as the demands of public office—long hours, relentless schedules, and constant travel—require not only sharp decision-making but also physical stamina and resilience. A healthy body supports a healthy mind, helping leaders stay alert, composed, and energized under pressure. Younger politicians often exemplify this balance, bringing both mental agility and physical vitality to their roles. Their ability to think quickly, engage dynamically with constituents, and maintain high energy on the campaign trail or in legislative sessions demonstrates how integrated physical and mental fitness can elevate performance and public perception in politics. This was highly visible during the Democratic mayoral primary debate where Zohran Mamdani mopped the floor with Andrew Cuomo running laps around him with his agenda and action plans for NYC.

Many of the older politicians we’ve seen are also completely drowning in scandal baggage. During the Democratic mayoral primary Mr. Mamdani took this to heart going after Andrew Cuomo during the debate saying, “I’ve never had to resign in disgrace,” while also taking shots at Cuomo’s previous record of sexual harassment. “I have never hounded the thirteen women who credibly accused me of sexual harassment. I have never sued for their gynecological records. And I have never done these things because I am not you, Mr. Cuomo.”

When politics is dominated by leaders who came of age in a different political, economic, and cultural reality, policies can’t keep up with the present, let alone the future. The world is evolving too fast for institutions to be led by those reluctant to evolve with it.

The Way Of The Future

Keeping elected officials in office to legislate on policies they won’t be alive to see is detrimental to the long term success and stability of the future of the country and all 50 states residing in it.

Electing younger politicians isn’t about disrespecting elders—it’s about ensuring that leadership evolves to reflect the population it serves. Just as there was a time when a young JFK represented a new frontier or when a young Barack Obama promised hope and change, we are again overdue for a generational handoff. The future isn’t something to be protected by the past. It’s something that must be built by those who will have to live in it.