By: James Rhody, Price County WI

Over the past year, many people have asked me an obvious question: Why would I, a 17-year-old kid, care so much about politics when I can’t even vote?

The answer is simple: the actions that are taken today will define my future. I represent the youth of this country, and we are disillusioned with the establishment political class. There are two paths forward for America, and I know the history of socialism and authoritarian societies. I decided that it was time to really get out and fight against the lies that infiltrated my school’s curriculum, locked down my community during COVID, and the never-ending wars abroad. If I couldn’t vote, I was going to work towards its downfall in an even bigger way, and working for Congressman Tom Tiffany’s campaign provided the perfect opportunity.

I hit the streets, knocking on doors, with the goal of targeting low-propensity voters. These are voters who are eligible to vote but don’t always participate in elections, and Tom’s campaign made it a priority to target these potential voters. I won’t lie; knocking on doors was awkward at first, but it was worth it. Although many doors never opened, the ones that did gave me a chance to realize my goals finally.

When people answered the door, I would casually ask them about their political beliefs and try to convince them why it was important to vote, even if they felt disillusioned with the political process. Most had strong opinions, but our natural “Midwest nice” attitude helped to keep conversations civil, even when there was disagreement. While we always would like to change the minds of those who were set in their ways, our primary goal was to inform and convince those who were undecided.

The number of undecided voters that I met surprised me. Although many were fed up with the economy and the direction that America was heading under the Biden Administration, they had lost a lot of faith in both parties.

For example, one day, a mother who answered the door really caught my attention. She had strong feelings that things needed to change in our government, and she was tired of nothing ever getting done. According to her, both sides supported foreign wars, and both sides sold out to whatever would increase their pocketbook while ignoring the struggles that people faced back home. I understood her worries and her apathy towards both parties, but I knew that there was a political realignment forming. This realignment was focused on improving the lives of all Americans, not selling out to other countries, and Tom Tiffany was right in the middle of it.

I told her that Tom is not some lifelong politician, who is only focused on securing the next donation from a billionaire or a political promotion, he is an honest American who truly wants his country and Americans to succeed.

I explained that Tom has consistently stood with the American people against the funding of the endless foreign conflicts and the war against girls in our schools.  He understands that the only people who benefit from these policies are the Democratic donors and special interest groups who don’t represent the American people.

The next topic that came up was the border. I explained that President Trump and Mr. Tiffany were both determined to stop the invasion and the drug and human trafficking taking place at our southern border. I told her that Tom is one of the few legislators who has traveled to the Rio Grande and Panama to see the root of the problem firsthand. I then explained that Tom played a critical role in writing one of the strongest border security bills in our nation’s history.

Of course, the topic of the economy came up next. I mentioned to her about Tom’s commitment to building our economy at home, and how restoring American energy independence would help to ease the burden that she felt every day.

I could tell that what I had told her made a difference. This same conversation played out many times throughout northern Wisconsin. While some remained unconvinced, I know my efforts left an impact.

However, not everything came easy. After getting a particularly nasty response, I knocked on the door of an older individual. After talking for a bit, I found this man to be a strong Christian and conservative.  He asked if I knew Christ as Lord, and after responding that I did, he prayed a blessing over my work and my life.  This happened three times over the course of the election season, and each time I felt the presence of God with us.  It was these times that encouraged me the most, and after the prayers, I knew that I was blessed, no matter who answered the door next.

The red wave in Wisconsin was not, of course, the work of one man or campaign; the youth of Wisconsin made an incredible appearance.  Throughout the election season, thousands of those in Gen Z went out canvassing neighborhoods and campaigned for candidates to turn the wave red.  This election season, millions of voter contacts were made by youth organizations like the College Republicans, the Young Republicans, and Turning Point Action. This proves that Gen Z is not the weak and progressive generation that it is often labeled. It is a fighting force that is increasingly ready to take America back.

I believe the future of America is bright.

A generation is coming that knows what to expect from its leaders and will fight to see promises carried through.  Working for a candidate like Tom Tiffany was a pleasure and an honor, and if America keeps going the way it did in this election, there will be many more worthy candidates to come. I look forward to taking what I learned from Congressman Tiffany and his campaign and using it to make a difference going forward. I am excited to join a College Republican organization when I officially enroll in a university and help organize the next generation of Republicans.  The real work is just beginning, and with more involvement from the youth of today, America will flourish like never before.