Republican Madison Cawthorn, 25, becomes youngest congressman-elect

(Image credit: Courtesy of the Committee on Arrangements for the 2020 Republican National Committee via Getty Images)

published 4 November 2020

Madison Cawthorn, a 25-year-old Republican, won his U.S. House race in North Carolina's 11th Congressional District, The Associated Press and several TV networks project, making him the youngest candidate member-elected of Congress. Cawthorn defeated Democrat Moe Davis, 62, who drew on his Air Force background and Cawthorn's controversial Nazi-related social media posts to make a run in the conservative district, previously held by White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows (R). Cawthorn, who is partially paralyzed and uses a wheelchair, had a prominent speaking slot at the Republican National convention.

Once sworn in next year, Cawthorn will take the youngest-member title from Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), who is now 31. He will also be the first member of Congress born in the 1990s. Responding to his projected victory, Cawthorn tweeted: "Cry more, lib."

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Peter has worked as a news and culture writer and editor at The Week since the site's launch in 2008. He covers politics, world affairs, religion and cultural currents. His journalism career began as a copy editor at a financial newswire and has included editorial positions at The New York Times Magazine, Facts on File, and Oregon State University.