Fox News contributor Liz Peek said sustained youth enthusiasm is vital and argued Republicans have a unique opening with Gen Z if they counter what she calls Democrats’ “doctrine of despair.” Citing a Harvard poll showing only 13% of 18- to 29-year-olds think the country is on the right track, she said young voters are anxious about finances and AI and are too often told the American dream is out of reach. The GOP, she argued, should deliver a message of optimism—opportunity for those who work hard and play by the rules—and emphasize that the country needs young people fully engaged in the workforce to build their futures and the nation’s.
Peek highlighted a notable youth vote shift: Democrats fell from 61% support among 18- to 29-year-olds in 2020 to 51% in 2024, while Donald Trump rose to 47%, up 11 points. She said Republicans must prove they’ve earned that support by keeping promises that make life better, starting with housing affordability. Without attainable housing, young people can’t form families or build financial stability, she said, adding that Trump is focused on the issue and that it will be pivotal for the midterms. Still, recent special elections suggest some young voters are drifting back left, reinforcing the need for results.
Affordability beyond housing is equally critical, Peek argued, noting young voters tend to be on the lower end of the income spectrum and have been squeezed by a K-shaped economy. She said tangible cost relief—at the gas pump and across everyday goods—resonates far more than rhetoric. If Republicans can pair a credible cost-cutting agenda with fact-based messaging that reflects lived experience, she believes they can bring more young voters back.
On whether GOP ideas are working, Peek pointed to improving real wages and a sharp decline in inflation from peak levels, while acknowledging more progress is needed. She called for targeted policies like permitting reform to reduce housing costs and cautioned that such fixes don’t take effect overnight. Peek added that while the administration addressed the border, voters have shifted their focus to prices and affordability—pressing Republicans to pivot quickly and deliver visible gains, because, as she put it, voters’ memories are short.
