Maxwell Frost runs to be first Gen Z congressional leader
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Rep. Maxwell Frost at the Democratic National Convention in Chicago on Aug. 22, 2024. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images.
Rep. Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.) on Thursday launched a bid to become the first member of congressional leadership in either party from Generation Z.
Why it matters: The 27-year-old is running a very Gen Z campaign for the role, pitching programs for House Democrats to book digital influencers and artists and to revamp their online branding.
Driving the news: In a letter to his fellow House Democrats, Frost, the first Gen Z member of Congress, said he is running for co-chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee.
- The announcement came after Rep. Veronica Escobar (D-Texas) said she is not seeking reelection to the role, which helps craft House Democrats' political messaging.
- Frost's candidacy comes as Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas), another younger, tech-savvy member, is challenging Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) for her DPCC chairmanship.
What he's saying: "I plan to bring one of the founding principles of my office to the entire caucus – the idea that to be effective communicators we must try to bridge the divide between cool and consciousness and cede no form of communication to our Republican counterparts," Frost wrote.
- Among his proposals is a booking program to connect lawmakers with "non-traditional media, local digital creators, micro-influencers on specific policy issues, as well as musicians and artists."
- Another is to offer trainings for lawmakers and staff that "emphasize the importance of a cohesive brand for your image and offer tips and tricks for creating an external and internal style and writing guide."
Between the lines: Frost was something of a youth ambassador for Democrats in the 2024 election.
- He traveled to more than a half a dozen states campaigning for Vice President Harris and other Democrats, including visits to the University of North Carolina, Northern Arizona University, Michigan State, Penn State, Georgia State and the University of Minnesota.
- "I've traveled the nation over the past several months, primarily connecting with young and working-class Americans," he wrote in his letter on Thursday.
What we're hearing: One House Democrat, speaking on the condition of anonymity, told Axios they think "a lot of members are open" to proposals like those Frost put forward to modernize congressional communications.
- But "some are going to resist," the lawmaker predicted, because many older lawmakers are resistant to such changes.
Go deeper: Rep. Maxwell Frost stresses housing as priority for young voters
