Dear John, For more than a decade, Future Caucus has worked with Gen Z and millennial lawmakers who believe public service is a responsibility to their communities and their states—not just a chance to make headlines or score points over the “other side.”
Over that time, we’ve heard stories of unlikely partnerships and meaningful progress, but amid escalating political violence, ossifying partisan divides, and rising mis- and disinformation, many of those conversations have shifted from, “How do I make a difference?” to, “How long can I keep doing this?”
Today, Future Caucus released The Exit Interview: Why Decent People Are Struggling to Serve in Public Office, a new report inspired by a simple but urgent question: why are so many capable, idealistic young Americans running for office… and then running for the exits? |
In 2025, Future Caucus conducted interviews, focus groups, and surveys with 89 young lawmakers from both parties and 31 states, which culminated in a report that reveals a sobering reality: public service is becoming unsafe, financially unsustainable, and incompatible with family life for far too many people who want to serve. Across these conversations, four consistent findings emerged: - Lawmakers fear for their personal safety and their families’ well-being.
- Young lawmakers are struggling to make ends meet.
- Lawmakers feel stretched thin, ineffective, and unsupported.
- Outdated workplace practices limit the effectiveness of legislatures.
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As Future Caucus President & CEO Layla Zaidane recently wrote for The Fulcrum: |
“Washington and state capitols aren’t designed for young lawmakers. Many face structural barriers that make staying in office difficult: low pay, limited staff capacity, and institutional models that assume outside wealth or exceptionally flexible careers. As a result, a troubling number of overperforming young lawmakers who are making an impact end up leaving office. Turnover drains committees of expertise, forces constant retraining, and weakens the very bipartisan relationships that make difficult legislation possible. America suffers when the very leaders who are turning the tide on toxic polarization and gridlock are the ones who choose to exit the system.”
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If we want a democracy led by decent, capable people who reflect—and live like—the communities they serve, we have to take this moment seriously. We hope you’ll take the time to read The Exit Interview, sit with the stories these lawmakers shared, reflect on our 24 recommendations for legislatures and civil society, and help ensure that public service remains a viable path for the next generation of leaders.
Read the full report and share it with your network. |
Also Happening in the Future Caucus Network -
Mississippi: On January 7, the Mississippi Future Caucus convened a live workshop with experts from OpenAI Academy, the creators of ChatGPT. The training focused on practical uses of AI for lawmakers, earning public trust amid the rise of AI-generated content, and approaches to developing pragmatic, thoughtful AI policy.
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Kansas: Future Caucus partnered with the Levin Center’s State Oversight Academy to open the session with an interactive workshop on approaches to oversight—a top priority for KSFC lawmakers in recent months. Lawmakers and staff dug into how to plan oversight agendas, ask tough questions, and ensure government delivers results.
- Connecticut: Representative Seth Bronko (R-CT) set the tone for the session with a 21st century take on Schoolhouse Rock, taking to Instagram with a civics lesson on how committee bills move through the House and Senate.
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Future Caucus President and CEO Layla Zaidane has been announced as one of 12 civil society leaders from Brazil, South Africa, and the U.S. selected for the second Keseb Democracy Fellowship!
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Pragmatic Optimists, a podcast from Senator Tiara Mack (D-RI), featured a conversation with Representative Doug Fiefia (R-UT) and Representative Monique Priestley (D-VT), co-chairs of the Future Caucus National Task Force on State AI Policy, to discuss why states can’t afford to wait on AI, how to regulate responsibly, and what’s at stake when federal action stalls.
Future Caucus in the News |
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Contact Us
[email protected] Future Caucus
1701 Rhode Island Ave NW
Washington, DC 20036
United States
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