Gen Z Is About To Get Its First Member Of Congress

First Things First

Florida activist Maxwell Frost talks to Bustle about his decision to run.

I was never really interested, the 25-year-old tells Bustle.

The topic of government was more likely to show up in his Halloween costumes than in a 10-year plan.

There were two Halloweens in middle and high school when I procrastinated, he says with a laugh.

I had a buzz cut, so I just put on a suit and said I was Obama.

The Democrat is running for a U.S. House seat to represent Floridas historically liberal10th Congressional District.

There was a lot of back and forth in my mind.

I had to check that that if I was doing it, I could win.

As ayoungest-ever candidatefor Congress, Frost has led a campaign full of history-making moments.

Below, he shares a few other firsts from his life.

First person you talked to today?

First person you text when something good happens?

Usually my mom or my dad.

First time you saw yourself represented in entertainment?

ProbablyCory in the House.

First time you earned a paycheck?

The first real paycheck I earned was when I worked for SeaWorld.

I was really adamant about working right at 14.

First time you traveled outside of the United States?

Ive never been out of the country.

Its pretty lame.[Laughs.]

First time voting?

I was 18 years old, and it was for the 2016 presidential election.

First time you missed an election?

I dont think Ive missed one.

Granted, Im 25.

First time you got involved in politics?

The first time I got involved in politics was 10 years ago, because of the Sandy Hook shooting.

First time someone told you to run for office?

People have joked about it since elementary school.

No one seriously told me until a year-and-a-half ago, when I nodded at running for this seat.

First time you believed you could win this race?

The moment I decided Im going to quit my job at March For Our Lives and run for Congress.