Young Guns to Take the House

We’ve had some good members since then, but none who rose into leadership. Nunn, who retired in 1996, was our last senator to serve more than 20 years in the body – this from the state that gave us Sen. Richard Russell and Rep. Carl Vinson, Washington powerbrokers for decades who left a legacy for the entire nation while using their seniority to deliver big for Georgia.

We’ve had nothing like those titans since, and we may never replicate it. The legislative branch has ceded much of its power to presidents, with little hope of reclaiming it. The toxicity of today’s politics and a status quo where Congress passes few pieces of significant legislation have lowered the quality of life for members to a degree that many head for the exits much earlier than they used to. The average House tenure is now a little over eight years. Those elected in 2016 alongside President Donald Trump or after now make up an astounding 68% of House members.

Open congressional seats anywhere in the country often result in a crowded field of candidates. But in Georgia’s 1st and 10th congressional districts, Jim Kingston and state Rep. Houston Gaines, respectively, appear poised to capture the seats with minimal opposition.

These two young Republicans launched their campaigns in explosive fashion, bigfooting the fields with massive fundraising hauls and impressive endorsements from community leaders. Both are highly likely to take their seats in the House on Jan. 3, 2027.

Conversations about Kingston, 35, always mention the obvious: He’s a political scion, the son of longtime Rep. Jack Kingston. Jim is proud of that legacy and of his father’s accomplished record. Jack Kingston served more than two decades and rose to become a powerful appropriator.

But associating the younger Kingston with his family doesn’t give him his due. He built his own political network. While growing his insurance business, he contributed to the Republican cause by working behind the scenes as a volunteer for campaigns. He worked the phones, setting up lunch meetings to get to know Georgia’s operatives and powerbrokers. He boasts that most of his campaign cash comes from first-time donors – evidence that the campaign is built on his network, not his dad’s.

Kingston’s experience as a “congressional kid,” however, does matter. He knows from watching his father how to become a serious member. He’s focused on committee work, constituent services and championing Georgia and his coastal district. He doesn’t seem interested in viral social media posts and cable news hits. How refreshing.

Gaines, 30, entered the state House one year after his graduation from UGA and his tenure as student body president. He rose quickly through the ranks, becoming vice chair of the Republican caucus, where he’s deeply involved on the political side raising money, recruiting candidates and battling it out in competitive districts to maintain the majority. But he’s also racked up a list of conservative policy wins, passing the state version of the Laken Riley Act a year before Congress did, bringing accountability to district attorneys and banning efforts to defund police. He’s a restless doer.

In the House, they’ll join Congressman Brian Jack, 37, who is a freshman on the House GOP Steering Committee, deputy chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee, a member of the powerful Rules Committee and a deputy on the whip team. As a longtime top political adviser to Trump, Jack maintains significant influence at the White House and his word goes far when it comes to how Trump weighs in on Georgia elections.

For the first time in ages, it’s likely Georgia will have three Republican 30-somethings in the House. Jack, who represents Georgia’s 3rd congressional district, has shepherded Kingston and Gaines through their campaigns and will open doors for them in Washington.

Taken together, their talents and youth give them a lot of runway to build accomplishments and seniority in Congress. Now, we need them to break the current cycle of short tenures and commit to staying in the job for decades. If they do, this election cycle might birth the beginnings of a delegation dynasty in the House like we haven’t seen since the fall of Speaker Gingrich. 

Brian Robinson is co-host of WABE’s Political Breakfast podcast.