“There is an element of, at some point, you age out,” the former president said.
Former President Barack Obama is urging the Democratic Party to invest in younger candidates if it wants to come out victorious in the 2026 midterm elections and, eventually, the 2028 presidential election.
In an interview with YouTuber Brian Tyler Cohen that was published Saturday, the 64-year-old said part of the reason his own elections were so successful was because he was young at the time.
“I’m a pretty healthy 64, feel great, but the truth is, half of the references that my daughters make about social media, TikTok and such, I don’t know who they’re talking about,” he said. “There is an element of, at some point, you age out. You’re not connected directly to the immediate struggles that folks are going through.”
By young, they mean not geriatric. Some of the candidate running in open or challenge seats. And we need more.
Nikki Foster (D) Age: 38 | Race: U.S. Senate (OH) | Background: Labor organizer and 2022 Senate candidate; running against incumbent J.D. Vance in an open-seat scenario.
Adam Gray (D) Age: 42 | Race: U.S. House (CA-13) | Background: State Assemblymember challenging Republican incumbent John Duarte in a Central Valley swing district.
Mia Janecka (D) Age: 38 | Race: U.S. House (TX-23) | Background: El Paso County prosecutor; running against Republican Tony Gonzales in a border district with shifting demographics.
Syler Roberts (D) Age: 34 | Race: U.S. House (OR-06) | Background: Climate policy advisor and Gen Z activist challenging Republican Andrea Salinas in a Portland suburbs district.
Compared to your Senate those are young.