The oldest Gen Xers are turning 60 in 2025 — hard to believe if you happen to be one. In My So-Called Midlife, KJZZ takes a closer look at this generation and what they’re up to — or, rather, up against.
If you grew up watching the 1980s sitcom "Family Ties," you might wonder what kind of Republican the Gen X teenager Alex P. Keaton would be today. Two Arizona Republican lobbyists say the party of Reagan has changed.
Unlike Alex P. Keaton, neither Marcus Dell’Artino nor wife, Meghaen, grew up talking much politics at home.
"I don't even ever remember my parents voting," Meghaen recalled.
Like a lot of Gen Xers, Marcus and Meghaen were often left to figure life out on their own.
"We were probably the last of the 'suck it up, buttercup' generation, right? We were all latchkey kids."Marcus Dell’Artino
And in some ways that shaped their politics. But their party has changed a lot.
"I probably spend 90% of my time with my clients explaining that the Republican Party that they grew up with — Ronald Reagan's party — doesn't exist anymore," Marcus said.
Still, Gen Xers voted in high numbers for Donald Trump. Economics, Marcus said, was a big driver. Meghaen has a different take.
"I think you had a lot of people talking about the economy, but I think about, also a lot of people talking about like, 'what do I want my family structure to look like', right? 'How do I want to raise my kids? What do I want to teach them instead of society teaching them?'"
There hasn't yet been a Gen X president. Not sure how Alex P. Keaton would feel about that.
