Between Popularity and Track Record: Regional Head Candidates in the View of Generation Z

Generation Z (Gen Z), born between the mid-1990s and early 2010s, has unique characteristics when making political choices. In the context of local elections, their selection is often influenced by two main factors: candidate popularity and track record. This paper aims to analyze how these two factors affect the political preferences of Gen Z in Indonesia. Data was collected through surveys and in-depth interviews with respondents who fall into the Gen Z category. The results show that while popularity plays an important role, track record remains a crucial factor in Gen Z's political decision-making.