Young men swung HEAVILY towards Democrats in the latest elections in VA, NJ and NYC. Republicans are probably done for.
Just months ago, it looked as if young men were drifting permanently rightward, leaving Democrats scrambling for a way to reach them. But this month’s elections told a more complicated story. Young men in America are navigating a political identity crisis shaped by broken promises: decades of war, a volatile economy, and a labor landscape transformed beyond recognition. Into that void stepped a cottage industry of opportunists selling grievance, control, and a darker sense of belonging. Democrats, for too long, seemed unable to imagine a future that included these young men at all.
But the latest elections in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York City suggest the party may have finally learned something. Instead of leaning into culture wars or abstract ideals, Democrats ran campaigns laser-focused (for once) on affordability - on the rising cost of simply trying to live a stable adult life. That message resonated with young men who are struggling, not unlike everyone else, under the weight of high housing costs, unstable careers, and a sense that independence is slipping out of reach.
The result: young men broke decisively for Democratic candidates. These elections showed they were never lost, only overlooked. When Democrats grounded their politics in the everyday pressures people actually face, young men found a place in the coalition - and a reason to believe again.
But the latest elections in Virginia, New Jersey, and New York City suggest the party may have finally learned something. Instead of leaning into culture wars or abstract ideals, Democrats ran campaigns laser-focused (for once) on affordability - on the rising cost of simply trying to live a stable adult life. That message resonated with young men who are struggling, not unlike everyone else, under the weight of high housing costs, unstable careers, and a sense that independence is slipping out of reach.
The result: young men broke decisively for Democratic candidates. These elections showed they were never lost, only overlooked. When Democrats grounded their politics in the everyday pressures people actually face, young men found a place in the coalition - and a reason to believe again.
