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Red, white and gray

Posted 12/2/22

There’s not often a long period of time after the most recent election cycle before people are turning their gaze toward the next. 

The next presidential election is less than two years …

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Red, white and gray

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There’s not often a long period of time after the most recent election cycle before people are turning their gaze toward the next. 

The next presidential election is less than two years away, but the commentary and analysis has already begun. Some people have already announced their candidacies and there’s much speculation about who else will run in the coming months. 

Congressional term limits is a topic of debate that enjoys an unusual level of bipartisan support. More Americans are also looking at the advanced age of political leaders as an issue.

President Joe Biden is 80 years old and former president Donald Trump, who recently announced his presidential campaign, will be 78 by 2024. The outgoing speaker of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, is 82 years old. The Senate Minority Leader, Mitch McConnell, is 80 years old. One of the oldest member of Congress, Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa, was just reelected to a six-year term at the age of 89. 

A recent review by NPR found that nearly 25 percent of Congress is over 70, a new record high. While it’s no surprise that elected representatives are usually older than those they govern, the age disparity has not always been so pronounced. 

Walt Hickey is the senior data editor at Insider and led the data analysis on a project called “Red, White and Gray: How America’s gerontocracy is weakening democracy.” 

According to Hickey, nearly 50 percent of the country is under the age of 40, but only about five percent of Congress is. People who are elected to Congress are staying in office longer, partially due to redistricting and changes to campaign finance laws. Also, incumbents have a huge advantage when running for reelection as they have a record to stand on and usually a sizeable war chest. 

While experience certainly matters when it comes to the complex issues faced by those in political office, we should ask ourselves if our government truly reflects the people it represents. Important issues concerning the future of technology, civil rights, energy and the environment are largely in the hands of those who are well-advanced in age. 

Eventually, in the not-so-distant future, it will be time for the next generation to assume the reins of power. Will they be ready?  

The answer is to start now and encourage more of our young people to get involved. They aren’t the ones making today’s decisions, but they will be the ones dealing with tomorrow’s consequences. 

We would certainly support younger representatives at all levels of government.

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