Note to GOP: Millennial women

Unless Republicans seriously reevaluate our current approach of avoiding the issues that are important to the advancing generation of millennial women, we risk ceasing to be a formidable party in the future of American politics. Just because Republicans won the Senate, we can’t hail “victory” and assume that we have a winning strategy for 2016. 

How did we get to the place where Republicans are terrified of talking about women? The worst part about the “Todd Akin moment” heard round the world wasn’t just the remark itself; the fallout had the unfortunate effect of causing some in our party to avoid all dialogue about women or our issues. Just the other day, a friend made a telling joke that Republicans are congratulating themselves on their strategy in this midterm election of not saying anything stupid about women–if that’s our idea of success, we’re in big trouble. 

{mosads}Women continue to make up more of the workforce and achieve higher levels of education.  We’re “leaning-in” and making our voices heard. You cannot ignore this generation, and furthermore, we don’t take well to being ignored. 

Millennial women are seeking a positive message from real, relatable people with smart ideas and sound polices that will make it easier for us to find good jobs and that will provide our future children with abundant opportunities. 

We’re pro-economic growth and for a less invasive government—that includes less involvement in our personal lives. We might not morally agree with abortion, but we don’t think it should be in the government’s purview. We might not be gay, but we want our friends to be able to enjoy the same rights as us. Another big hint: nothing enrages a millennial woman more than not earning equal pay for her work.  

Although some polls suggest that social issues aren’t important to the electorate, messaging and policies that are perceived as anti-gay or anti-women do affect a candidate’s likability and “relatability” among millennials and women. If you aren’t likeable, your brilliant economic policy or your strong background in foreign policy are null and void. 

Addressing these issues is the elephant in the room that nobody wants to talk about because we know that by acknowledging this, we will be forced to address some difficult and unpopular choices with the elders in our party. I challenge our elder base to talk to younger people and have an open mind. Frankly, close-mindedness will only prevent our political tent from growing and alienate millennials, especially women. 

On a more positive note, a new Harvard poll shows that millennials are warming up to Republicans.  It’s not difficult to convince young people that President Obama’s policies are contributing to a stagnant economy — they’re living it. Republicans have a strong case for why we have the right plan to get our economy back on track. 

With attention shifting to the 2016 presidential election with Hillary Clinton possibly at the top of the Democratic ticket, Republicans can no longer kick the can down the road when it comes to millennial women. We cannot keep telling ourselves, “well, we will focus on them next election cycle,” or “we’ll do better next time.” The time is right now.  

Culbertson is a former GOP campaign operative and U.S. Senate press secretary. She’s 28, lives in D.C. and works at a strategic public affairs firm.