As the 2024 election fades, a surprising trend emerges: Gen Z, often pegged as progressive, is showing conservative leanings. A recent Politico Magazine article profiles two young conservatives—Luke Polant and Abigail Anthony—whose experiences and a new Gallup poll reveal why some Zoomers are drifting right.
The Poll and the People
Gallup’s 2024 data shows 28% of 18-to-29-year-olds identify as conservative, up from 23% in 2020. While still a minority, this shift challenges stereotypes of a uniformly liberal Gen Z. Polant, a 22-year-old Texan and Second Amendment advocate, credits his conservative awakening to distrust in institutions, amplified by pandemic-era mandates. Anthony, a 24-year-old Princeton grad, embraced conservatism after rejecting campus progressivism, drawn to free-speech principles and traditional values.
Both reflect a broader sentiment. Polant’s activism, rooted in gun rights, resonates with 35% of Gen Z, who, per Gallup, prioritize individual liberties. Anthony’s focus on cultural issues—like resisting “woke” norms—aligns with 40% of Zoomers who feel social policies have overreached.
Why the Shift?
Economic and cultural factors drive this trend. Inflation, hitting 7% in 2024, and a tight job market frustrate young adults, fueling skepticism of progressive promises. Posts on X echo this, with users citing student debt and housing costs as conservative rallying points. Culturally, backlash against perceived overreach, such as cancel culture, pushes some toward the right. Anthony notes her peers crave “authenticity” over dogma, a sentiment Polant shares, criticizing “performative” liberal policies.
Yet, Gen Z conservatives aren’t monolithic. Polant leans libertarian, wary of GOP establishment figures, while Anthony embraces traditionalism but supports some social reforms. This diversity complicates the GOP’s outreach, as 60% of Gen Z still leans left, per Gallup.
The article suggests this conservative streak could reshape politics if it grows. Polant and Anthony, active on platforms like X, are mobilizing peers through grassroots efforts and op-eds. However, they face hurdles: Gen Z’s progressive majority and distrust of politicians—70% disapprove of Congress, per Pew—demand savvy engagement.
For now, these young conservatives highlight a restless generation seeking practical solutions and ideological clarity. As Polant puts it, “We’re not just following; we’re questioning.” Their voices signal a dynamic, if uncertain, future for the right.