Breaking down the news with data, charts, and maps.
Happy Thursday! In today’s newsletter, we cover the gender divide among Gen Z voters, chronic absenteeism in K–12 schools, and the risk to American innovation.

Edited
by Sutton Houser and James Desio

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1. The Gen Z Gender Divide
Topline: Young voters overwhelmingly supported Barack Obama in 2008, but Vice President Kamala Harris faces a tough challenge due to a growing gender divide among members of Gen Z. AEI’s Daniel Cox finds <[link removed]> that young men have shifted to the right, while young women have moved left.

Big Shift: In 2008, nearly equal shares of young men and women supported Obama, at 72% and 66%, respectively. However, a recent poll of swing-state voters shows that only 38% of young men view Harris favorably, compared to 59% of young women. 

The Strategy: Cox notes that both presidential campaigns are leaning into the growing gender divide. The Trump campaign is promoting Donald Trump as a strong leader to appeal to young men, while the Harris campaign is focusing on issues like abortion that resonate with young women.





“Ultimately, Harris doesn’t need young voters to adore her, just to vote for her. That will be hard enough.” 
—Daniel Cox
2. Are Kids Back in School?
Topline: As the new school year begins, AEI’s Nat Malkus reports <[link removed]> that
chronic absenteeism among K–12 students remains high in many states. In the eight states that released data for the 2023–24 school year, absenteeism rates are improving but still elevated.



- New Mexico saw the largest improvement, reducing chronic absenteeism from 40% in 2023 to 33% in 2024.



Big Picture: Chronic absenteeism among K–12 students increased from 15% in 2019 to 26% in 2023. While rates are declining in some states, Malkus finds that chronic absenteeism remains a major problem that warrants quick action from states.
3. American Innovation at Risk
Topline: AEI’s Derek Scissors argues <[link removed]> partial decoupling from China would benefit American companies by boosting competition and innovation. While US tech firms claim they rely on Chinese revenue to fund research and development (R&D), Scissors points out that business R&D declined for years after China joined the World Trade Organization—likely due to coercive IP practices.

More Competition: Scissors explains that business R&D grew fastest during periods of strong global competition, such as the late 1950s, early 1980s, and late 2010s. Partial decoupling would enable innovative companies to thrive and empower US leadership in vital industries.





“For American firms with higher exposure to China, R&D expenditure, patents, profitability, and employment have all
declined.” 
—Derek Scissors
Last but Not Least . . .
Democrats See a Chance in Texas, but Could Get Beto-ed <[link removed]>
After #MeToo Have Women Become More Afraid of Men? <[link removed]>
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