Millennial conservatives have no voice in congress With Leonard Lance

With young millennial conservatives coming of age politically, we are seeking a political party that can not only speak TO us, but one we can trust to speak FOR us. But if Leonard Lance is any indication of the future of the GOP, my generation will have to look elsewhere.

Like many conservatives my age, I met Lance when I was in high school. I was excited to meet a politician whose purported views aligned so much with mine: He claimed to support small government, to be pro-environment, and seemed respectful of personal identities and freedoms. This was a politician I was proud to vote for.

But my excitement slowly dwindled as Lance consistently aligned himself with the worst parts of the GOP, while ignoring the facets of Conservativism that millennials find appealing.

Lance has abandoned his support of environmental issues. He has aligned himself with the outmoded values of the old establishment, and seems to be growing more and more entrenched with every election cycle. Even worse, he has aligned himself with Donald Trump who represents every quality that millennial republicans find repulsive. With his deportation forces, special prosecutors, “loosening” of free press protections, and rejection of gay rights and rights of women; he is crafting the largest expansion of governmental powers and biggest reduction of personal freedoms in history.

This is not my conservativism. Misogyny, racism, and militant, totalitarian hyper-nationalism have no place in our maturing political lives.

Lance cannot turn our generation of conservatives into Republican Party voters by clinging to these ideas and social conventions. And that is why I cannot, in holding with my conservative principles, vote for Leonard Lance.

Instead of the Grand Old Party, millennials are seeking a Grand New Party: A party that holds to its promises of the American dream being available for everyone; and one that has kept up with the times while holding to the basic Conservative tenants of personal freedom, fiscal responsibility, and American leadership on the world stage.

Millennial Republicans will want a politician who can address, or even acknowledge, the very real threat of climate change while holding to our commitment to innovation, technological progress, and industry; and not prop up unsustainable energy sources for campaign donations.

Millennial Republicans will want a representative willing to fight for racial equality, gay rights, and women’s rights; and not cave to pressures from religious groups.

Millennial Republicans will want politicians who will adhere to the idea of projecting American strength abroad, but who understand that military force is not always the best option to do so.

We want politicians who can work across the aisle to create new solutions to fix the biggest problems facing the next generation— our generation.

— Kylyn Everson. Branchburg