This group is behind the growing influencer presence at the RNC

MILWAUKEE (NEXSTAR) – Brilyn Hollyhand is on a mission to court young conservative voters. At 18 years old, he is Co-Chair of the GOP Youth Advisory Council, part of the team bringing influencers to cover the Republican National Convention.

“I was frustrated after the 2022 midterms. I thought the Republican party wasn’t doing enough youth outreach,” Hollyhand told Nexstar at the RNC on Thursday.

In 2023, Hollyhand began working with the GOP Youth Advisory Council to appeal to Gen Z voters. As part of that effort, he said there are currently 100 creators attending this year’s RNC.

“Social media influencers that are covering the debate through the lens of Gen Z and it’s really making headway on all social media platforms,” Hollyhand said. “My peers who didn’t even know a convention was going on are seeing it firsthand, a front row seat to democracy.”

Hollyhand, who is about to start his senior year of high school, blamed the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic as one of the driving reasons behind his decision to become a conservative.

“Big government shut me out of school for a year and a half. Big government strapped a diaper to my face any time I tried to go outside,” he said. “They really showed us the worst of it. Why would my generation vote that back in office?”

In the above video, Hollyhand also shares his thoughts on getting young voters involved in politics and his plans for the future.

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