January 6th proved the existential threat the 2020 election posed to American democracy. In that moment of crisis, President Joe Biden stepped up to protect the Constitution and like he said, serve as “a bridge to the next generation of leaders.”

However, on the other side of that bridge awaits a laundry list of 21st-century problems that can only be tackled by 21st century problem-solvers. As we stare down some of humanity’s greatest challenges to date, like adapting the global economy to mitigate climate change, we need leaders willing to bring people together and craft collaborative solutions without compromising our key values.

Thankfully, we have a deep bench of diverse Democratic leaders. Our party is full of trailblazers that people can look up to from across the country. These folks are an antidote to the current assumption that politics are divisive and irrelevant, earning back trust and respect for public servants as they roll up their sleeves and deliver results that actually live up to that title.

While it will take the new generation’s vision and creativity to tackle immediate and long-term issues such as access to healthcare and housing, protecting unalienable rights, and securing global harmony in the face of climate change, the first step is making courageous demands for a new, forward-thinking class of leaders to take the reins.