Key facts
- Hal Rogers, 88, is the longest-serving member of the House of Representatives.
- The median age of US citizens is 39, compared to 58 for House members and 65 for senators.
- Younger candidates face significant financial challenges, with one raising $150,000 compared to an opponent's $2.6 million.
- Voters aged 18-29 made up 30% of non-voters in 2024, up from 25% in 2020.
- Younger adults express more pessimism about the honesty of elected officials than older adults.
The United States is known for its "gerontocracy," a government dominated by older individuals, with a significantly lower proportion of lawmakers under 45 compared to other democracies. This trend is evident in the long tenures of politicians like Hal Rogers, 88, who has served in the House of Representatives since 1981, and Senator Chuck Grassley, 93, who entered politics before Alaska and Hawaii became states. The age and health of senior politicians, including former President Joe Biden (82 at departure), Nancy Pelosi (82 at departure), and current President Donald Trump (80), have raised concerns and reignited debates about age and health limits. The median age of US citizens is 39, while the average age for a House member is 58 and for a senator is 65. Younger candidates like 27-year-old Republican Riley Owen face substantial challenges, particularly the influence of money in politics, with his campaign raising significantly less than his opponent's. Owen argues for "disruptive innovation" in politics, suggesting his generation is better equipped to handle contemporary issues like technology. Critics, including democratic socialists, argue that career politicians may become detached from the needs of younger generations and that the demographic skew of voters, who tend to be older, influences which issues gain political traction.