The Millennials Working to Save the Democratic Party

Corrected | Standing in her parents’ pastel-hued living room, the low hum of a neighbor’s hedge trimmer buzzing behind her, Hannah Risheq launched her campaign for the Virginia state legislature with a slightly rambling speech that was peppered with “like,” “um” and other youthful tics. 

Despite her lack of polish, there was something compelling about the baby-faced 25-year-old Democratic candidate. A big part of it was her personal story: Her Palestinian immigrant father and Jewish mother were pushed out of Greensboro, North Carolina, when customers stopped patronizing their restaurant after the September 11 attacks. The family of six headed north and started over in the salad bowl of Virginia’s Fairfax County. 

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But there’s another aspect of Risheq’s