Young Conservatives Say Inflation, Housing Crunch, AI and Immigration Are Shaping Gen Z Views as Parties Compete for 'Hopeless' Voters

Both major parties view Generation Z as a pivotal voting bloc that could decide control of Congress this November. Republicans seek to preserve momentum for President Donald Trump's agenda, while Democrats aim to retake the Hill. At the Young America's Foundation "Freedom at 250" conference in Washington, D.C., conservative college students told Fox News Digital that economic stress, immigration, and concerns about artificial intelligence are among the top issues driving political views among young Americans.

Voices From the Conference

Courtney Graves, a rising senior at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, said many young people feel "a little bit hopeless" about reaching traditional milestones such as homeownership and stable careers. Graves — whose grandparents fled Communist-controlled Latvia — urged Republicans to sharpen their messaging about how free-market policies can restore opportunity.

"I think free markets are the way to have a successful and prosperous life," Graves said. "It's what leads to job growth, it's what leads to being able to buy a home... and have a strong country."

Economic Pressures Driving Political Shifts

Conference attendees tied rising interest in democratic socialism among young voters to economic strains. A July Pew Research Center survey found that 87% of Americans believe buying a home is harder for young adults today than it was for their parents' generation. Research from Harvard's Joint Center for Housing Studies reported that nearly half of renters spent more than 30% of their income on housing in 2024, and a Federal Reserve report found that nearly half of Americans ages 18 to 29 received financial help to cover an expense over the past year.

Policy Priorities Beyond Pocketbook Issues

Students said their concerns extend beyond affordability. Jackson Barrick, a senior at the University of Minnesota, highlighted immigration, border security and foreign policy as priorities, praising recent immigration enforcement efforts as important to national security.

Brody Baker, a University of Iowa student, praised the Trump administration for what he described as greater clarity and accountability on economic issues compared with the prior administration.

AI, Algorithms and Information Trust

Another recurring theme was anxiety about artificial intelligence and digital platforms. Nick Kammerzell, a recent University of Georgia graduate, said his biggest worry about the future is AI-driven bias and censorship. He argued that many young people are increasingly dependent on AI and algorithms as sources of information, creating risks of manipulation.

Supporting those concerns, a Pew Research Center survey in June found that 48% of adults ages 18 to 29 expect AI to have a negative impact on society over the next two decades, a higher share than older cohorts. Students also voiced worries that social media algorithms push users toward specific viewpoints and deepen political polarization.

What This Means Going Into November

Young conservatives at the conference stressed that economic hardship is pushing some peers toward more left-leaning economic ideas, but they maintain that free-market policies, clearer conservative messaging and attention to issues such as immigration and AI trust could help sway Gen Z voters. Both parties will likely continue to sharpen appeals to younger Americans as the midterm elections approach.