How Gen Z Republicans running for Congress are thinking about the future of the party

On the eve of what may prove to be a tough election for the GOP, young conservatives vying to be part of the first class of Gen Z Republicans in Congress want a role shaping the party's next chapter.

<img src='https://npr.brightspotcdn.com/dims3/default/strip/false/crop/8192x5464+0+0/resize/8192x5464!/quality/85/format/webp/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fnpr-brightspot.s3.amazonaws.com%2F09%2F40%2F6b3934f54fa0a3dc159d1743638a%2Fgettyimages-2290519905.jpg' alt='Joe Mitchell, seen at the Iowa State Fair on Aug. 14, 2026, is the GOP nominee in Iowa's 2nd congressional district. He is one of just a handful of Gen-Z Republicans on the ballot for the U.S. House this year.'/><p>On the eve of what may prove to be a tough election for the GOP, young conservatives vying to be part of the first class of Gen Z Republicans in Congress want a role shaping the party's next chapter. </p><p>(Image credit: Scott Olson)</p><img src='https://media.npr.org/include/images/tracking/npr-rss-pixel.png?story=nx-s1-5946869' />