Conservative activist CJ Pearson has launched a new political action committee, Next250, aimed at countering the influence of socialism and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives among Generation Z.
Pearson argues that Democrats are effectively luring "politically homeless" young people by offering them a sense of belonging and direction. He stated that this demographic is "looking for a place where they feel heard, where they feel seen," and that the left is aggressively steering them toward socialist ideologies and DEI policies.
"The left is vigilant," Pearson told Fox News Digital. "Every single day, they are trying to indoctrinate America’s young people. Every single day, they’re trying to pollute their minds with untruths and just downright delusion."
Next250 plans to organize young conservatives, register voters in swing states, and combat the appeal of socialism and DEI on college campuses. The PAC also intends to invest $1 million in digital advertisements targeting young and minority voters in Georgia.
Pearson pointed to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani, a self-identified democratic socialist, as an example of a figure embraced by the left who advocates for policies like government-run grocery stores and rent freezes. Pearson noted that three congressional candidates endorsed by Mamdani won their Democratic primaries.
Regarding DEI, Pearson characterized the policies as promoting the "soft bigotry of low expectations." He used his own background as a young Black man from the Deep South to illustrate what he sees as the left's tendency to stereotype, contrasting it with the conservative values of faith, patriotism, and hard work that he attributes to his upbringing.
The Trump administration previously sought to roll back federal DEI initiatives, arguing that such programs foster discrimination and that hiring and admissions decisions should be based on merit.
Next250 intends to organize events in swing states such as Georgia, Ohio, Michigan, and Iowa, focusing on voter registration and mobilizing young conservatives. Pearson believes the left's embrace of socialist and DEI candidates has, in some instances, backfired.
"America has been on a generational run, a 250-year run that was marketed by innovation, opportunity, and truly the hallmark and the pillars of the American dream. But if the left gets their way, there will not be another 250 years," Pearson stated.