Madison, WI — Today, NextGen PAC is celebrating the youth-driven victory of Tony Evers for Governor, Sara Rodriguez for Lt. Governor, and Josh Kaul for Attorney General. Ahead of the November election, NextGen PAC leveraged its grassroots organizing infrastructure in Wisconsin and mobilized thousands of young voters to defeat their Republican challengers. It is clear that without the support of young voters, Democrats would have experienced severe losses in Wisconsin. NextGen PAC’s program was the largest nationwide youth voting initiative to mobilize this critical voting bloc.
Early reporting from the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement (CIRCLE) shows that in the Wisconsin Governor election, Democratic Governor Tony Evers won reelection by a slim 3 point margin: 51% to 48%.Young voters backed Evers to deliver this victory with extraordinary support – 70% vs. 30% for Republican challenger Tim Michels.
“Young people in Wisconsin showed up like never before this election cycle to defend our rights and our democracy,” NextGen PAC President and Executive Director Cristina Tzintzún Ramirez said. “Governor Evers’ victory was powered by young voters, and as a proven leader, we know he will continue to build a better future that truly represents our values and beliefs. From abortion rights to climate justice, young people showed up like never before to support the causes that drive them, and their voices will undoubtedly shape the state’s politics for decades to come.”
Young people fought tirelessly to power Evers to victory. Throughout the tight race, young voters stepped up to hold Republican candidate Tim Michels accountable for his dangerous position on abortion rights, economic justice, LGBTQ equality, and climate change. Moving forward, it’s evident that young Wisconsin voters will continue to fight against extremist MAGA Republicans and demand an inclusive vision of the future.
Nationally Youth Are the Only Age Group to Prefer Democrats
Youth are the only age group to prefer Democrats for House races. Edison Research National Election Pool exit polls show that young people are overwhelmingly progressive, and they show up for candidates who inspire them and share their values.
According to the Edison Research National Election Pool exit poll, the national youth vote choice for the U.S. House of Representatives was 63% for Democrats, 35% for Republicans. That’s almost identical to 2020, when youth preferred Democrats to Republicans by 62% to 36%. Youth ages 18-29 are the only age group to favor Democrats in this election. Voters ages 30-44 split their votes 49%-49% between Democrats and Republicans, while older voters favored the GOP.
Specifically, young voters of color showed up for Democrats. In all, 89% of Black youth and 68% of Latino youth voted for a Democratic House candidate. Among white youth, the vote was 58% for Democrats and 40% for Republicans.
Young voters ages 18-29 also prefer Democrats in Senate and Governor races. Based on data from states where exit polls were conducted, the youth vote choice and youth share of the vote also overwhelmingly broke for progressives. This surge in support for progressives is across NextGen PAC’s key battleground states, including Arizona, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin.
Young Wisconsinites are stepping up to the plate to build the future that they can be proud of – one in which their elected leaders fight for a future that reflects and represents them. They know that voting is their power, and they seized the opportunity to channel it into change. NextGen is proud to have helped build a movement of young people that refuses to stand by as basic human rights, equality, and justice for all are deprioritized.
