Young Candidates in Connecticut and Montana Campaign on Housing Costs

Two young candidates for state House seats, one in Connecticut and one in Montana, are both focusing their campaigns on the lack of affordable housing in their states, according to NPR.

Olaleye Onikuyide, 28, is a Democrat running for state representative in Connecticut. Lukas Schubert, 21, is a Republican seeking reelection as a state representative in Montana. Both are part of a larger group of young candidates in the 2026 midterm elections, the national votes for Congress and many state offices.

Onikuyide lives with his parents by choice, a decision he has made to save money. His policy goals include building more mixed-income housing, which mixes households with different incomes in one development, and creating walkable cities where residents can reach daily needs on foot. Young candidates who rent or live with their parents say their generation is "in the thick" of the country's housing affordability crisis.

A new analysis finds that the average renter household now needs 16 years to save for a down payment and closing costs, the fees paid to finish a home purchase. NPR reported the figure on October 22, 2026.

Housing costs are also a leading concern for young voters, according to Quartz. A new survey cited in the same report found that one in five Americans spend half of their pre-tax income on housing. Pre-tax income is income before taxes are taken out. The 19th reported in October that affordability is the top issue for Gen Z women.

Young candidates are also running in large numbers for federal office. More than 80 Gen Z and millennial candidates are challenging or running to succeed House Democrats who are 65 or older, NPR reported in March.

Research from the Williams Institute at UCLA found that Gen Z respondents who identify as LGBT and those who do not differed in their priorities on major policy issues.