In a no-holds-barred discussion that lasted nearly two hours, four Gen Z Democratic activists delivered a stark message to Democratic Party leaders: abandon cautious centrism, embrace bold progressive messaging, and stop underestimating young candidates — or risk losing an entire generation of voters.
The Democrats of Greater Tucson (DGT) gathered on October 24, 2025, at the Don Martin-i Club, for an evening that was part town hall, part pep rally, and all inspiration. The event — “Inspiring Generations” — showcased four rising stars in Arizona’s Democratic movement: Jake Martin, Tre’ Davon Rhodes, Chris Cosico, and Maria Parsons.
All the young panelists are members of the DGT Board.
Moderated by former Tucson Mayor Jonathan Rothschild, the panel was a lively, cross-generational conversation about activism, public service, and the future of the Democratic Party in a time when democracy itself is on the line.
“The future is with our young people,” Rothschild began, “but as we look around, we all know — not enough of them are involved yet.”
These four panelists, all between 19 and 26, are working to change that — one campaign, one campus, one conversation at a time.
A Generation Steps Forward
Jake Martin, 22, serves as Chief Deputy Treasurer of Pima County, working alongside Treasurer Brian Johnson — the first Democrat to hold that office in over 60 years. Martin’s résumé reads like a civics textbook written at warp speed. At 21, he ran for the Pima County Board of Supervisors after leading a nonprofit that assisted survivors of sexual violence.
“I believe in the promise of America — not the American dream of the 1950s, but the future we can still create,” he said. “We are not a melting pot. We are a mosaic — every color equally represented — and as Democrats, we fight to keep that mosaic beautiful.”
Martin’s passion drew applause, particularly when he called out the generational divide in politics. “The biggest challenge I faced was being taken seriously as a candidate,” he admitted. “But the next generation will take the reins. So listen now, because we’re coming.”
From Campus to Campaign Trail
At 19, Tre’ Davon Rhodes is a sophomore at the University of Arizona, majoring in political science and economics. He spoke with a confidence far beyond his years — and a message that struck the room like an electric current.
“I was raised by a single mom on food stamps and public housing,” he said. “I know firsthand that politics isn’t abstract. It decides whether people eat.”
Rhodes said his early hero was Barack Obama, not just for policy but for what his presidency represented. “He looked like me. He made me believe that people from my background could belong in rooms like this.”
When asked why he became a Democrat, Rhodes was direct:
“Republicans don’t stand for anything but themselves. Democrats stand for something bigger — for community, for justice, for opportunity.”
Still, he called on his peers to avoid complacency and cynicism. “We’ve got to meet young people where they are — on TikTok, on campus, even in gaming chatrooms — but also in person. Knock on their doors. Invite them to meetings. Make them feel they belong.”
Behind the Scenes and Proud of It
Maria Parsons, 25, laughed when asked if she planned to run for office. “No,” she said, “I’m a behind-the-scenes person — I’m the one writing the message, not giving the speech.”
Parsons, a freelance writer and former Corresponding Secretary for the Pima County Democratic Party, cut her teeth as a regional organizing director for the Harris-Walz coordinated campaign in 2024. She’s now on the DGT board with Cosico.
“I wish Democrats were braver in our messaging,” she said. “We spend too much time talking about what’s realistic instead of what’s right. Let’s say we’re fighting for universal healthcare — not just slightly lower premiums. Let’s be bold again.”
Her remarks hit a chord. Heads nodded, and pens scribbled in notebooks as Parsons spoke about reclaiming hope as a Democratic value. “We are the party of optimism,” she said. “Let’s start sounding like it.”
The Organizer’s Reality Check
Chris Cosico, 26, brings both idealism and experience. He’s on the DGT board, a newly appointed precinct committeeman in LD-17, and the campaign manager for Rural Arizona Action, a 501(c)(4) nonprofit amplifying progressive voices in small towns.
He started his political life organizing for the Biden — later Harris — campaign in 2020, eventually becoming a regional organizing director. “I’m a geriatric Gen Z,” he joked. “Oldest 26-year-old on Earth.”
But when he spoke about the Democratic Party’s internal challenges, the humor faded.
“Our diversity of thought is our strength — and sometimes our weakness,” Cosico said. “Republicans fall in line. We debate. But that’s democracy — messy, vibrant, alive. The solution isn’t to act like them; it’s to communicate better and stay united in purpose.”
He emphasized that real organizing still happens face to face: “You win elections by walking. Knock on doors. Listen to people. That’s how you build trust — not through doomscrolling.”
“Stop Being Afraid to Be Democrats”
Across the panel, one refrain echoed: Democrats need to rediscover their voice.
Cosico put it bluntly: “We have an authoritarian in the White House. He didn’t win by moderating himself. We need to stop being afraid to be Democrats. Remember 2008 — hope and change won two elections. That’s how you move people.”
Parsons agreed, saying the party should focus less on converting undecided centrists and more on mobilizing its own base. “We take that 40% for granted,” she warned. “We should be firing them up — not watering down our message to chase the mythical middle.”
The crowd, a mix of silver-haired veterans and energized newcomers, burst into applause. Rothschild smiled: “All right,” he said. “That’s the spirit.”
Generations in Conversation
Rothschild reminded the young panelists that the “gray-haired crowd” in the room once fought for the very rights Gen Z now defends — civil rights, women’s equality, LGBTQ+ liberation, and environmental protection.
“You’re standing on the shoulders of people who spent their lives fighting for this progress,” he said. “Now it’s your turn to defend it — and to move it forward.”
Martin’s reply drew a standing ovation.
“We are immeasurably grateful to our forbearers,” he said. “But it’s our time to pick up the torch — to rebuild what’s been torn down and push even further.”
Flooding the Zone with Truth
When asked how to combat the avalanche of right-wing misinformation online, Martin didn’t hesitate.
“You change the lie to the truth by saying the truth louder,” he said. “We have something they don’t — reality. We have four years of their failures to point to. So we repeat the truth over and over again — louder each time — until it sticks.”
Rhodes added that Democrats must flood the zone with accurate, compelling messages that resonate emotionally. “Populism can be a beast,” he said, “but if we use it right — if we channel people’s anger toward economic fairness and justice — there’s real power there.”
Coalition Building — and a Warning
In one of the night’s most thought-provoking moments, Rhodes invoked the Rainbow Coalition model of the 1960s. “We need to rebuild that — urban, rural, Black, brown, white, working-class,” he said. “We can’t write off anyone who might stand with us against authoritarianism.”
A member of the audience warned that if Democrats don’t reach these groups, Trump will. Rhodes nodded. “Exactly,” he said. “If he can reach them first, we don’t have a chance. That’s why we have to start now.”
“The Work Starts Now”
As the evening drew to a close, Rothschild turned to the audience. “What’s the next step?” a woman called out.
Jake Martin answered without missing a beat. “The next step,” he said, “is to fight back, together. Talk to your neighbors. Volunteer. Mentor a young Democrat. The work starts now.”
The audience rose to its feet, applauding the young leaders who had, for one night, transformed a Tucson gathering into something larger — a glimpse of the Democratic Party’s future.
“Say the truth louder,” Martin said one last time. “Flood the zone with hope. That’s how we win.”
Author’s Note: The Democrats of Greater Tucson host weekly Monday Zoom meetings and in-person events featuring Democratic leaders and candidates across Arizona. Learn more or join the conversation at https://thedgt.org/.
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So wonderful to hear these young leaders’ visions for the future, because those visions are the ones my generation from the 1960s college years had as well. We did the best we could, but these new leaders can learn from our failures and build back stronger and better. Please support them!
Was young Dem Deja Foxx, age 25 taken seriously when she ran for CD 7 in the special primary? She came in 2nd under Congresswoman-elect Adelita Grijalva, with 14,078 votes compared to 36, 679 votes.
https://azsos.gov/sites/default/files/docs/2025-SE-Primary-Canvass-0731.pdf
Jonathan Rothschild should stick with the Tucson Jazz Festival and leave the politics to the courageous young people running. When I ran for the House in LD 19, I asked for his endorsement, as if it meant something! He did not. He would not endorse the only Democrat running in LD19 that cycle, I am excluding Ms. Engle because she was running for Congress. I guess he would not want his name associated with someone who would for sure lose, but had the guts to show up! That’s the kind of Democrat we don’t need! It comes to mind that he, as mayor of Tucson, did not show up to welcome Bernie Sanders when he first ran for President. Just because he was in the Hillary camp, he could not bring himself to welcome Bernie to Tucson! That tells you all you need to know about who Jonathan Rothschild is, a gutless Democratic machine, Schumer type has been.