January 1, AmFest Shows Gen Z Conservatives Focus

Wyatt’s Take

• Young conservatives put affordability, immigration, and life at the center.
• Attendees reject excuses and demand action from their own leaders.
• The conservative movement is searching for unity after tragedy.

Young conservatives at AmericaFest say there’s no dodging the tough issues. They named the cost of living, border control, and defending life as their top concerns—real, everyday challenges for working families.

Thirty-one thousand folks from all over came together in Phoenix, showing the movement’s resilience after a difficult year. Many said it was time to talk politics and faith openly, leaving no room for silence or apathy.

“I’m glad to see the day now where people are open about that, can talk freely about that.”

Lydia Leinbach, a graduate student, explained how the loss of Charlie Kirk renewed her commitment to politics. “As conservatives, we have to be involved. We can’t just back out and say, ‘Ok, it is what it is.’”

New polling showed most young conservatives at AmFest see winning elections as job one. But the biggest threats they fear are radical Islam, socialism, unchecked immigration, and a tough economy.

Affordable homes and jobs weigh heaviest on their minds. Grant May pointed out that the dream of owning a home is slipping away for many in his generation. “The average first-time home buyer is 40 years old. That can’t happen in the United States,” said congressional candidate Michael Alfonso.

May added that the right needs real housing solutions, since the left’s ideas fall short.

Immigration came up again and again. Many attendees praised Trump for taking action on illegal crossings. Leinbach said, “If you come here legally, that’s awesome, welcome. But illegal immigrants have to go back.”

There was worry about legal programs too. Alfonso warned that the H-1B visa system drags down wages for Americans. Jack Harvey asked, “If you’re not willing to put American workers first … how can you be the next president of the United States?”

Values around life weren’t up for compromise. “You fight for what’s right, no matter if it’s going to help you or … hurt you. I think pro-life is one of those situations,” George Merritt explained.

Liberty Harris passionately argued, “We no longer live in a free country if we’re killing the next generation.”

With divisions in the movement out in the open, most agreed that unity is badly needed, especially after the loss of Charlie Kirk. May summed it up: “Our problem is not ourselves. Our problem is actually the left and their violence and their tolerance of violent rhetoric.”

Stay tuned and stay involved—middle America’s voice can’t go quiet.

Wyatt Matters

Ordinary families face rising costs, border chaos, and worry about the future. The next generation isn’t sitting back—they’re pushing leaders to deliver real solutions that protect people, life, and opportunity. These issues hit home across the heartland, demanding common-sense ideas and courage to stand up for American workers and values.

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