I Became a Lawmaker at 21: My Advice for Gen Z

Matt Heilman was 21 when he was first elected. Here's what he's learned.

Since 2022, I have served as one of the youngest state lawmakers in North Dakota—and American—history. Born and raised in Bismarck, I was taught the core North Dakota values of family, hard work, and putting the needs of others before my own. I am incredibly fortunate to call this wonderful state my home.

Growing up, I never dreamed of becoming a political candidate or pursuing a life in politics. That changed in early 2021 when my brother invited me to a grassroots meeting of local patriots. What began as simple civic curiosity quickly became a calling. Serving in the legislature has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my life, yet it has also demanded significant, rarely discussed sacrifices—especially for someone in his early twenties. This is the message I want to share with my fellow Gen Z Americans: public service is deeply rewarding, but only if you are willing to pay the price.

First, it is important to understand North Dakota’s unique political landscape. The state is divided into 47 legislative districts, each electing one senator and two representatives. With a statewide population of roughly 800,000, each district represents around 16,500 people. Republicans hold a supermajority in both chambers of the legislature, all three federal offices, and every statewide elected position. The legislature meets only in odd-numbered years for a maximum of 80 days. While North Dakota proudly calls itself a “citizen legislature,” this is only partially true. Unless you are self-employed, retired, a farmer, or a rancher, the schedule makes it extremely difficult to serve. Most employers cannot accommodate 80 days off every other year. As a result, the legislature often lacks diverse perspectives—precisely when we need voices from different backgrounds and age groups the most.

You might be wondering why someone so young would dare enter politics. Several factors motivated me, but what truly ignited my passion was an experience at Bismarck State College, where I earned my Associate of Arts degree. After watching videos of extreme liberalism on major university campuses like Harvard, UCLA, and USC, I let my guard down. I assumed Bismarck State would be different. After all, nearly every lawmaker in Bismarck was Republican, and Burleigh County had comfortably supported President Trump in two elections. How bad could it be? I enrolled in a world history class (covering up to 1500 B.C.), but the professor barely taught. His personal views and classroom approach left me deeply aggravated. Combined with other college experiences and the frustrations of the COVID era, these moments pushed me to act. I could no longer sit on the sidelines. Energized, I became politically involved—just as a legislative seat opened in my district. The timing felt perfect.

During the summer and fall of 2021, many dedicated conservatives—including myself—worked tirelessly to recruit a candidate for the open seat left when Rep. Rick Becker stepped down from the state legislature to challenge incumbent U.S. Senator John Hoeven. When no one else stepped forward, I decided to run. At the time, I saw it simply as answering a call to civic duty. I knew running for office would bring challenges, but I believed that with hard work and the right support, I could overcome them. Surrounding myself with experienced mentors who had strong political instincts gave me the confidence to move forward.

What ultimately led to my victory? Hard work, relentless door-knocking, effective fundraising and budgeting, key endorsements, and a dedicated team of volunteers. Each of those tasks came with its own challenges, but I was determined to overcome them. Keep in mind, I did all of this at just 20 years old. I defeated the Director of Admissions and Outreach from my own college in the primary election. In the same election, I finished a very close second against a ten-year incumbent, advancing to the general, where I faced no Democratic opposition. I was fortunate to receive endorsements from my predecessor, Rep. Rick Becker, and U.S. Senator Kevin Cramer.

Once in office, I hit the ground running. In 2023, I successfully passed HB 1155, which banned sanctuary policies for illegal immigrants. That same year, I was a vocal advocate in the House for SB 2247, a bill that directly addressed many of the frustrations I had experienced in college. In 2025, I passed three bills, the most notable of which protects individuals from doxing. This legislation originated from a constituent request, and more than half of the bills I carried that session came at the request of others. During my two regular sessions, I served on the House Education Committee and the Political Subdivisions Committee. These experiences taught me an important lesson: real legislative change usually begins by listening to people’s everyday problems rather than solely rewarding political allies. During the 2024 presidential election cycle, I served as a delegate to the Republican National Convention and as North Dakota’s state co-whip for the Trump campaign. I have remained active in the North Dakota Young Republicans, where I currently serve as vice chair. In 2023, I was honored with the “50 Under 50” award from the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) and have participated in multiple legislative coalitions.

Earlier, I mentioned that public service—especially at a young age—comes with real sacrifices. Serving in the legislature significantly delayed my progress toward a degree of finance. Another major sacrifice is that once you enter the arena, there is no easy way out. If you are more conservative than most, a larger magnifying glass is placed on everything you say and do. That scrutiny comes from the media, reporters, friends, family, and even people you would never expect. You quickly realize that you no longer have a private life. Holding a public position and walking the halls of power carries immense responsibility, and anyone considering this path must honestly ask themselves if they are willing to pay that price.

Beyond the voluntary sacrifices, being elected so young carries its own inherent challenges. Some from older generations will look down on you no matter what you do. It becomes even harder if you are unmarried, do not own a home, lack a college degree, or do not have children. Yet history reminds us that many of America’s Founding Fathers and key figures were in their twenties during the nation’s most formative years. I hope that when my generation is older, we actively welcome the perspectives and contributions of the next wave of young leaders.

As the sun sets on my term this year, I am proud to say I faithfully discharged the duties of my office. I have chosen not to seek re-election. There are other important goals in my personal and professional life that I need to prioritize right now. I have loved serving the people of North Dakota, but greater adventures await—including getting married next year! I see this not as the end of my public service, but as a pause. To those who have read this: please keep me in your prayers, as I will keep you in mine. My final advice to my fellow Gen Z Americans is simple—take risks. No one accomplishes anything truly memorable without them. As President Theodore Roosevelt famously said, “the credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena.”

So, I ask you: What do you want to be remembered for?

Representative Matthew Heilman was elected to the state house of representatives in 2022, sworn into office at 21 years old, 2024 RNC delegate, state co-whip for the Trump campaign at the RNC, previously co-hosted local TV show "Open Range."