As the first Gen Z Democrat elected to the Florida House of Representatives, RaShon Young entered office in 2025 with a commitment to make the government more responsive to the people it serves. Now at 27 years old, he’s running for reelection — because he’s only just getting started.
Before running for office himself, Young spent four years working as chief of staff for Florida state Senator LaVon Bracy Davis (who was, at the time, a Florida House of Representatives member, just like Young is now). Working for Davis gave Young firsthand experience with policymaking, but becoming a representative himself taught him that understanding policy is only part of the job. “One of the main things that I was really void of understanding was the necessity for relationships in the process and how relationship-driven this work is,” Young tells Her Campus.
These relationships have helped Young navigate his first term in office, during which he passed a bill unanimously through the House that focused on prioritizing the quality of care in healthcare facilities across Florida. “I also partnered in conjunction with Senator Bracy Davis to be able to provide relief and compensation for the families of the Groveland Boys,” he says, referencing The Groveland Four case, in which four young Black men were falsely accused of a violent crime in Florida in 1949. The case led to wrongful convictions, racial violence, and decades of injustice before the men were formally exonerated in 2021. “I was honored to be able to bring millions of dollars back to those families for the wrongdoing that was committed against their loved ones.”
For Young, these first-term accomplishments demonstrate the importance of bringing community concerns into the spaces where decisions are made. “The blessing is that I have an opportunity to not only be at the table where decisions are made, but also to serve as a voice for Gen Zers across the state,” he says. That responsibility extends beyond simply passing legislation; Young also considers preventing harmful policies from advancing to be an essential part of his work. “When I go to Tallahassee, if it is something that benefits my community, I support it; if it’s something that will hurt them, I speak up about it. I sound the alarm, and I share that message back home to my home base.”
One issue he believes deserves the most urgent attention in his state is affordability. “Floridians can’t afford to be Floridians anymore,” Young says. For young people, affordability challenges can shape decisions about where to live, which careers to pursue, and whether building a future in Florida is financially realistic — and if reelected, one of his priorities is exploring ways to encourage college students to remain in the state after graduation instead of leaving for career opportunities elsewhere. (“How do we keep our talent local?” he asks.) Young believes that addressing affordability requires a comprehensive approach, including making housing more attainable and improving access to quality healthcare. “We need to put money back in people’s pockets so that they can be able to afford to live,” he says.
His emphasis on tangible results also informs how he thinks about generational differences. “The only way that we move forward is by moving forward together, and it’s gonna take the wisdom of our seniors and the energy of our young people to be able to advance an agenda that prioritizes people,” he says.
Young understands why members of his generation feel frustrated with politics and choose to disengage, especially when political division makes it difficult to feel hopeful for the future. But even when politics feels discouraging, he believes that giving up is not an option. “That’s all the more reason to fight,” he says. “That’s all the more reason to be engaged.”
If reelected, Young promises to continue attending community events and remain available to his constituents. “Even if I’m not on the ballot, if [we’re in a non-election] year, my constituents still deserve to see me, still deserve to have access to me,” he says. And that commitment extends to those who may disagree with him. “If we are on opposite sides of an issue, you deserve my attention just as much as if I knew I was gonna be on your side.”
In his first term, Young has learned to approach people with greater understanding and recognize that meaningful work often requires collaboration with those he may not always align with. “There’s a lot for us to be upset about in this world. There’s a lot for us to have gripes about. There’s so much happening, but as life continues to ‘life’ for all of us, life is too short to hold prejudice against people who don’t even know that you have a grudge against them,” he says.
And as Gen Z continues navigating an uncertain political and economic landscape, Young hopes his experience shows that young people have a place in shaping the policies that affect them, especially in the upcoming midterm elections. As he puts it, “This is our country just as much as anyone else’s country.”
The following responses have been edited for length and clarity.
What’s your comfort movie?
Sing.
One book you think everyone should read?
Boundaries by Henry Cloud and John Townsend.
One thing you could never live without?
My phone.
What is your favorite holiday?
Christmas.
Favorite thing about Florida?
The weather.
One thing you’ll always miss when you’re away from home?
My bed and my dog.
Who has had the biggest influence on your leadership style?
My mother. A dynamic woman who defied the odds and still is just everything and more.
Best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Don’t quit.