Maxwell Frost sees greater Gen Z influence on Congress as an improvement

Key facts

• Maxwell Frost, 25, became the first Gen Z member of Congress.
• Frost believes young people are underrepresented in government.
• He advocates for publicly funded elections to increase accessibility for working-class candidates.
• Gun control was a primary motivator for Frost's political career.
• Frost seeks more passion and less ambition in Congress.

Maxwell Frost, the first member of Generation Z elected to the U.S. Congress, views the increasing influence of young people in politics as a positive development. Frost, a Democrat representing Florida's 10th Congressional District, emphasized that while he did not run solely to be the first Gen Z representative, having young people at the table is crucial for a more diverse and representative government. He noted that Gen Z and millennials constitute about a third of the country's population but are significantly underrepresented in elected office.

Frost highlighted the financial barriers to running for office, sharing his personal experience of driving for Uber to cover living expenses during his campaign. He argued that this inaccessibility prevents many working-class families from participating in politics and advocated for publicly funded elections as a solution to ensure broader representation. His political involvement was initially spurred by the issue of gun control, dating back to his activism after the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting.

Reflecting on his career, Frost, now 29, expressed a desire for more passion and less ambition among members of Congress, aiming to serve his constituents with dedication. He acknowledged the challenges posed by political gridlock in Washington but stated his commitment to choosing hope and continuing to fight for legislative progress.