Time magazine's annual Time100 Next list, which spotlights emerging leaders across fields, includes a slate of American political figures. The 2025 edition recognizes Sens. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) and Andy Kim (D-N.J.), Reps. Jake Auchincloss (D-Mass.) and Maxwell Frost (D-Fla.), and former White House deputy chief of staff James Blair.
The four lawmakers are all members of the millennial generation or, in Frost's case, Generation Z, with each born after 1980. Their inclusion underscores the growing influence of younger voices in Washington.
Frost: Gen Z firebrand
Frost, 29, is serving his second term representing an Orlando-area district that includes Universal Studios. According to his Time profile, he has drawn attention for his messaging tactics, such as a symbolic call to remove the Statue of Liberty in response to President Donald Trump's immigration policies. Frost has become a prominent progressive voice on issues like gun violence and climate change.
Kim: From pepper spray to the Senate
Kim's profile recounts a May incident in which he was pepper-sprayed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers during a demonstration outside an immigration detention facility in Newark, N.J. Time describes it as "the clearest example of a spirit that Kim has brought to the Senate since his 2024 election." The 43-year-old son of South Korean immigrants has advocated for better conditions for detainees and comprehensive immigration reform.
Kim's approach to immigration policy has also intersected with bipartisan oversight efforts. He and Britt recently joined forces to push the Justice Department for greater oversight of license plate readers, highlighting a shared interest in civil liberties and law enforcement accountability.
Britt: Navigating Trump's GOP
Britt, 44, is described as quickly learning "how to wield influence in Donald Trump's Republican Party while avoiding its hardest edges." Her profile notes that she has strongly supported Trump's agenda, including his aggressive immigration policies, while privately urging the administration toward moderation at key moments.
Britt has also been active on other policy fronts, recently teaming up with Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) to seek DOJ oversight of license plate readers.
Blair and other honorees
James Blair, a former deputy chief of staff in the Trump White House, also made the list. Blair is known for his behind-the-scenes role in shaping domestic policy and coordinating with Congress.
The Time100 Next list extends beyond politics, featuring figures such as "Saturday Night Live" cast member Ashley Padilla, model Alex Consani, pop stars PinkPantheress and Troye Sivan, and The Onion CEO Ben Collins. The diverse set of honorees reflects the magazine's broad definition of rising influence.
For the political contingent, the recognition signals their growing prominence as the 2026 midterms approach and both parties look to elevate fresh faces. Whether they can translate that buzz into legislative results remains to be seen.
