When tragedy strikes, generations often define themselves by how they respond. Following the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk, Oregon D.O.G.E. host Senator Mike McLane sits down with three members of Generation Z — Tanner Elliot, Riley Ashby, and Alex Tabor — to talk about faith, freedom, and the future of Oregon politics.
A Generation Shaped by Cancel Culture
This discussion begins in disbelief. None of these young Oregonians had ever witnessed political violence before. Yet each expressed how Charlie Kirk’s courage to speak freely — and his death — has galvanized Gen Z conservatives rather than silenced them.
They grew up in an era of social-media mobbing, “microaggression” policies, and campus censorship. Now they’re pushing back against a culture that labels disagreement as hate and free expression as dangerous.
Faith and Forgiveness Amid Division
Riley Ashby, a Turning Point USA field representative, described the grief and strength felt at the national vigil for Charlie Kirk — and the power of forgiveness displayed by his wife, Erica. The room, she said, was filled with peace rather than vengeance. That theme of faith over fury runs throughout the episode, contrasting sharply with Oregon’s rising hostility toward people of faith and differing opinions.
Why Gen Z May Turn Conservative
From their perspectives, Gen Z is weary of being told they’re victims. They see the hypocrisy of “equity” programs that reward identity over merit, and they’re tired of living under policies that drive up housing costs, expand bureaucracy, and punish small business.
Tanner Elliot, chair of the Oregon Young Republicans, argues that freedom and accountability still resonate. “The left won’t intimidate or silence us,” he says. “Oregon’s government needs to get out of the way and give young people a chance to succeed.”
Oregon’s Economic Reality
All three speakers point to the same problems: runaway spending, over-taxation, and a business climate ranked near the bottom nationwide. They discuss friends leaving the state for Nevada and Arizona — places with lower taxes and more opportunity — and call on Oregon’s leaders to make the state livable again for working families.
The Hope of a Unified Oregon
Despite frustration, the tone is hopeful. Each guest expresses a desire for a unified, peaceful Oregon where debate replaces division and free speech triumphs over fear.
McLane closes with a challenge: that Oregonians live not for the admiration of ancestors but for the admiration of descendants — governing with courage, humility, and hope.