Young Black voters buck Democratic old guard

The nation's old guard of Black leaders is still a key force for Democrats, but this year's primaries have revealed the rising influence of Black Gen Z voters who aren't swayed by their elders' seniority, civil rights credentials or endorsements.

Driving the news: Michigan's Democratic primary for Senate offered a snapshot of the growing generational divide among Black voters in particular.

U.S.

Rep.

Jim Clyburn , 86, a civil rights icon from South Carolina, campaigned for establishment-backed Rep.

Haley Stevens.

But Abdul El-Sayed , 41, overcame Stevens — and the more than $60 million in outside spending backing her — to win by less than 1 percentage point.

A Washington Post analysis found Stevens had an eight-point edge in counties with the highest Black populations — a smaller margin than many expected.

El-Sayed, meanwhile, dominated counties with the highest numbers of young adults.

Zoom in : The Michigan campaign reflected the different expectations between younger and older Black voters, said Kaya Jones of Voters of Tomorrow, an advocacy group for young voters.

She told Axios that Black voters in Gen Z are especially willing to back progressives and reject establishment Democrats.

Jones said some of young Black voters' frustrations stem from older leaders holding onto power instead of making room for a new generation — and that endorsements by revered longtime Black leaders don't move the needle with many in Gen Z.

"We don't want something that is the same.

We want change.