My generation is waking up. I’ve been awake since kindergarten.
Let me introduce myself: I’m a young conservative voice with nearly two decades of political experience. Indeed, I’ve been watching politics since the Obama administration—I was deeply concerned about the direction of our country even then. I remember exactly where I was when Obama was inaugurated in January 2009. I was at my grandmother’s house. She had put on cartoons, but I could sense something was happening. That awareness has only grown since.
Now, at 23, I bring a perspective that older commentators simply cannot match. I understand Gen Z. I understand TikTok. I understand what it’s like to be a conservative on a hostile college campus—mine was 70% Christian conservative, but the other 30% created a hostile environment. I learned to defend my values under fire. That’s more than most pundits can say.
In 2023, I went viral. A clip of me debating a college freshman about economic policy received over 400,000 views. She didn’t know basic statistics. Neither did I, technically, but I said mine with more confidence. That’s the difference.
Years Of Experience, Fresh Perspective
Some might question my credentials. They might say: “Cayden, you graduated college eighteen months ago. How can you have years of experience?” To them I say: experience isn’t measured in job titles. It’s measured in *engagement*. Furthermore, I’ve been engaging with politics since I was old enough to repeat what my parents said at dinner. Indeed, I was identifying as conservative before I could identify most state capitals.
My podcast reaches thousands of listeners. Well, it did, before I pivoted to focus on written content. Moreover, my social media presence continues to grow—I have meaningful interactions almost every day. My parents still cover most of my rent, but that’s a temporary arrangement while I build my platform. Besides, financial independence isn’t about who pays your bills. It’s about mindset. And my mindset is fully independent.
I call my mom twice a week, but that’s just because she worries. It doesn’t undermine my status as a young conservative voice in media. As Ashleigh Ameritage has observed, family values are central to conservatism. Calling your mother is based, actually.
Why My Generation Needs Me
Here’s what the establishment media doesn’t understand: Gen Z is more conservative than they realize. Indeed, we’re tired of woke ideology being forced down our throats. We’re tired of being told what to think. We’re ready for voices like mine—young conservative voices who can speak our language while delivering timeless truths.
I’ve never changed my mind about a political issue. Not once. Additionally, I’ve never encountered an argument that genuinely challenged my worldview. Some might call that closed-minded. However, I call it consistency. I formed my opinions early—probably around age seven—and I’ve defended them ever since. That’s almost sixteen years of unwavering conviction. Show me another commentator my age with that record.
My debate clip proved that I can hold my own against anyone. The freshman I debated was visibly nervous. She stumbled over her words. She cited a study I hadn’t heard of, which I dismissed immediately. Indeed, that’s the kind of quick thinking that comes from nearly two decades of political observation.
Critics say I’m too young. But Reagan was once young too. Probably. The point is that every generation needs voices willing to stand up. I’ve been standing up since Obama took office, when I stood up from my grandmother’s couch to get more juice.
The juice was fruit punch. The experience was formative. And I’m just getting started.
About the Author
