PA-03: For young political candidates, getting elected is about making their voices heard
In the Democratic primary for Pennsylvania's 3rd Congressional District, Jahmiel Jackson will be facing a number of candidates with decades of experience, including state congressmen Sharif Street (D-3rd) and Chris Rabb (D-200th). All are vying to replace U.S. Rep. Dwight Evans, who's not seeking reelection after over 45 years in politics.
For the 24-year-old, it's a race that's not just about representing the district he grew up in. It's about upsetting an electoral system that he feels isn't made for young people to have their voices heard.
"I don't want to be your intern," Jackson said. "I don't want to go to your fancy dinners and your galas while you are managing a system that's made to charismatically manage our decline."
Jackson is part of a growing number of young people running for offices across the country, attempting to unseat politicians who, in some cases, have held offices since before they were born. They're targeting some top concerns among millennials and Gen Zers — from job access to gun violence — and attempting to connect with voters through social media and, in Jackson's case, stand-up comedy.
https://www.phillyvoice.com/young-politicians-philadelphia-2026-election/