Obama Urges Democrats to Elevate Younger Candidates

Former president says older politicians can 'age out' and lose connection to younger voters

Published on Feb. 17, 2026

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Former President Barack Obama is warning the Democratic Party that it needs to elevate a younger generation of candidates if it wants to win at the ballot box in the 2026 midterm elections and beyond. Obama, who was 47 when first elected president in 2008, says older politicians can 'age out' and lose a crucial connection to a younger electorate.

Why it matters

Obama's comments come as younger Democrats have been challenging older incumbent Democrats in primary races, arguing for generational change. This reflects growing discontent among younger Democrats with aging party leaders who have resisted passing the torch.

The details

Obama said Democrats do well when they have candidates 'plugged into the moment' rather than looking backward. He acknowledged that at 64, he doesn't always understand references his daughters make about social media and TikTok, saying 'there is an element of, at some point, you age out.' Obama hopes to energize younger voters through his presidential center opening in Chicago later this year, saying the 'spirit' and 'energy' of young people is 'bottled up' and needs more outlets.

  • Obama was 47 years old when first elected president in 2008.
  • The 2026 midterm elections are coming up.

The players

Barack Obama

The 44th president of the United States, who served from 2009 to 2017.

Donald Trump

The 45th president of the United States, who defeated Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.

Kamala Harris

The 49th vice president of the United States, who was 18 years younger than Donald Trump when she ran against him for president in 2024.

Myla Rahman

A 34-year-old nonprofit executive and Los Angeles native who is challenging longtime Democratic Congresswoman Maxine Waters in a primary race, citing the need for generational change.

Maxine Waters

A Democratic congresswoman who has represented California's 43rd District since 1991 and is facing a primary challenge from a younger rival.

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What they’re saying

“I'm not making a hard and fast rule here, but I do think that Democrats do well when we have candidates who are plugged into the moment, to the zeitgeist, to the times and the particular struggles that folks are thinking about as they look towards the future, rather than look backward toward the past.”

— Barack Obama, Former President (YouTube)

“I'm a pretty healthy 64, feel great, but the truth is, half of the references that my daughters make about social media, TikTok and such, I don't know who they're talking about. There is an element of, at some point, you age out. You're not connected directly to the immediate struggles that folks are going through.”

— Barack Obama, Former President (YouTube)

“People are sick and tired of the same old thing.”

— Myla Rahman, Nonprofit Executive and Primary Challenger (California Post)

What’s next

Obama hopes to energize younger voters through his presidential center opening in Chicago later this year.

The takeaway

Obama's comments highlight a growing generational divide within the Democratic Party, as younger candidates challenge older incumbents by arguing for fresh faces and a stronger connection to the concerns of younger voters.