Sanchez Makes History as a DSA-Endorsed State Representative – the first in the state in Decades

At just 27 years old, Gabriel Sanchez has made waves in Cobb and Georgia politics, unseating a Democratic incumbent in the May primary and defeating a Republican challenger in the November general election. When he takes office in January, Sanchez will become the first Georgia House representative endorsed by the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) since the late Julian Bond, a trailblazing civil rights leader who served distinctively in the state legislature for two decades.

Sanchez attributes his victory to voters who were focused on pressing issues like healthcare, housing, and the economy. He coupled this with an energetic ground game that saw his campaign knock on over 17,000 doors in Smyrna. For voters, it wasn’t about ideological labels—it was about the message.

“When you talk to people about what they care about and what they need, it washes away concerns about labels,” Sanchez said. “Even if they don’t identify with socialism, they connect with the message and are willing to vote for someone who’s fighting for them.”

Sanchez’s platform centers on policies many deem ambitious but which he argues are urgently needed: universal healthcare, affordable housing, and raising the minimum wage to $20 per hour. His campaign emphasized how stagnant wages—unchanged at the federal level since 2009—fail to meet the rising cost of living. “Prices for housing, groceries, and gas keep going up, but wages stay the same. That’s not just unsustainable—it’s cruel,” Sanchez said.

Though the Georgia House is Republican-controlled, Sanchez is planning bipartisan proposals, such as a bill preventing employers from requiring doctor’s notes for workers without guaranteed health insurance who call out sick. His ultimate goal, however, is larger: to build a movement that flips Georgia politics by focusing on working people.

“Republicans have convinced people they represent working folks, but their voting records tell a different story,” Sanchez said. “We need to dismantle that narrative and prove otherwise with policies that make a real difference.”

Sanchez brings a background in community organizing and political campaigns to the Georgia House. He has worked with voting rights organizations and Latino-focused nonprofits, and served on the campaigns of progressive legislators like Rep. Sam Park and Rep. Park Cannon.

Though he never envisioned himself running for office, working at the Georgia Capitol—and witnessing the influence of corporate lobbyists—compelled him to step up.

“I realized the halls of power aren’t filled with people—they’re filled with lobbyists,” Sanchez said. “I want to change that.”

Sanchez is realistic about the challenges he will face in office, anticipating political battles he may lose. But he is committed to amplifying the voices of his constituents and fighting for progressive change. As he steps into his role, Sanchez is determined to serve as a bold and passionate advocate for working Georgians, challenging the status quo and laying the groundwork for a more equitable future.