Alaska has always depended on its young people. Energy matters. Passion matters. New ideas matter. But so do humility, competence, and respect for experience.

My perspective on this issue is not theoretical, nor is it based on second-hand reporting. It comes from direct attendance and observation at Turning Point USA – UAA student activities, AMFEST, and most recently the Alaska Young Republican Convention. I have listened carefully, observed interactions across generations, and watched how ideas are expressed, challenged, and defended in real political settings. What follows is not an indictment of young conservatives, but a set of observations, cautions and recommendations offered in good faith – because Alaska’s political future depends on getting this balance right.

One brief moment at the Alaska Republican Convention captures the concern. While speaking with two young attendees, one of the younger individuals said – twice and loudly, “you’re old, old!” The other attendee, who was 21 and notably more composed, said nothing and continued the conversation appropriately. I was surprised, but I maintained my composure and calmly reminded the speaker that such remarks constitute discrimination – specifically, age discrimination.

From what I have observed at student events, conventions, and political gatherings, the most effective young leaders are not the loudest or most performative.

The exchange ended there, but it was telling. Not because it was hostile, but because it was casual, unexamined, and seemingly acceptable in that moment.

Lately, I have noticed a troubling trend in our political culture – particularly among some younger activists and online voices – where confidence has crossed into condescension, and enthusiasm has hardened into arrogance. Older Alaskans, especially those in their 60s and beyond, are increasingly dismissed as “out of touch,” “in the way,” or unworthy of leadership simply because of age.

That is not progress. That is prejudice.

Political science has a name for this behavior: prescriptive ageism – the belief that older people should “step aside” rather than contribute. It often appears alongside overconfidence, where individuals greatly overestimate their ability while underestimating the complexity of governance. When combined with performative outrage and social-media grandstanding, it produces more noise than results.

Alaska cannot afford that.

We are not a state that runs on slogans. We run on logistics, relationships, and hard-earned trust. Campaigns are won by knocking on doors in the cold, understanding election law, managing volunteers, and building coalitions that hold together under pressure. That knowledge does not come from a meme or a viral post. It comes from years of experience – often from the very people now being dismissed.

This is not an argument against youth leadership. It is an argument for earned leadership. Every generation brings something essential. Younger Alaskans bring speed, creativity, and technological fluency. Older Alaskans bring institutional memory, judgment, and perspective shaped by real consequences. When either side believes it has nothing to learn from the other, the entire community loses.

Political movements fail when they confuse moral certainty with competence.

From what I have observed at student events, conventions, and political gatherings, the most effective young leaders are not the loudest or most performative. They are the ones who listen, ask questions, accept correction, and do the unglamorous work that campaigns and organizations actually require. Conversely, the most damaging behavior I have witnessed comes when entitlement replaces accountability, and when disagreement is treated as disrespect rather than an opportunity to learn.

Alaska voters are not impressed by arrogance. They reward seriousness, steadiness, and results. If we want a stronger Alaska – and a stronger Republican Party – we must reject generational contempt and recommit to cooperation. Respect for elders is not nostalgia; it is strategy. Humility is not weakness; it is discipline.

The future of Alaska will not be built by tearing down those who came before us. It will be built by standing on their shoulders – and having the wisdom to know the difference.

The views expressed here are those of the author.

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