In 2025, as stated by Democrats.org, the Democratic Party saw a boost in key areas: they secured their largest Virginia House of Delegates majority in 40 years, achieved a record voter turnout in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and saw a significant shift in off-year turnout in Pennsylvania suburban counties and New York City. This momentum can be largely attributed to younger generations across the country, who are showing renewed enthusiasm for Democratic candidates, sparking what political analysts are describing as a “blue wave.”
According to sophomore Jack McNally, president of the Carmel Young Progressives Club and one of the main organizers of the Free America walkout at this school, this surge is defined as “a lot of people realizing that the promises made by the current administration, they are not sticking to, and that they are violating a lot of our rights.”
Social Studies teacher James Ziegler said he believes the “blue wave” is invigorating many Americans to take action or be more in the loop of what is going on currently.
He said, “I do think right now what’s going on in terms of the context of the country it is energizing a lot of people and we see that just in terms of the number of people that are showing up in various protests not just for one singular issue.”
The Democratic momentum started up again in late 2025 and early 2026, driven by backlash against the new administration policies and economic concerns. After recent events of the Minneapolis shootings, the releasing of the Epstein files and conflicts with Iran, a vast majority of citizens reported feeling anxiety and stress. The American Psychological Association (APA) announced roughly 83% of adults claim inflation, particularly, is a source of stress.
Naaman Duckworth, student activist and senior, said he agreed that tariffs are a big factor of the “blue wave” in the current political climate.
“People found that they’re still paying the same price for groceries; their cars are more expensive, nothing’s really changing as they expected,” Duckworth said.
While political momentum has built nationwide, the forefront of the wave has mainly been youth-driven. For many teenagers, this past election was their first time voting. Youth-led campus groups, digital campaigns and issue-based activism are also accelerating political engagement among Gen-Z voters.
“Being politically involved for me is also being knowledgeable, reading the news, understanding what’s just happening in our country right now,” Duckworth said. “You can have whatever opinions you want, but understand your reasoning behind those opinions.”
At this school alone, more than 300 students gathered for a student-organized walkout in response to national policy changes. The protest, as part of the nationwide Free America organization, drew both students and faculty.
“It all just started from people showing that they would be willing to do this,” said McNally, describing how student momentum built through shared concern and collective action.
Ziegler said such activism follows a broader historical trend, and has long shaped the nation’s political direction.
He said, “Historically, some of the greatest political and civil rights reforms in this country have been led by youth.”