SMYRNA — When 27-year-old Gabriel Sanchez decided to run for the Georgia House, few took him seriously. He was up against Rep. Teri Anulewicz, a well-known Democratic leader and Cobb Legislative Delegation chair.
Unlike many politicians, Sanchez didn’t have a law degree or a military background. Instead, he had a film studies degree and experience working at his father’s sports bar. But what really made people skeptical was Sanchez’s open identification as a socialist, a label that many considered a political dead end. Anulewicz even joked last year that his campaign might appeal to “tens of other socialists” in the district.
Winning Against the Odds
Despite these challenges, Sanchez surprised everyone by defeating Anulewicz in the May Democratic primary and Republican Diane Jackson in the general election. When he takes office in January, he’ll be the first Democratic Socialist of America-endorsed candidate in Georgia’s House since the late Julian Bond, who served decades ago.
Sanchez believes his victory wasn’t about labels like “socialist” or “capitalist.” Instead, it was about connecting with people on the issues that matter most.
“When you focus on what people care about—like healthcare, housing, and the economy—labels fade into the background,” Sanchez said. “Even if they don’t call themselves socialists, they care about the solutions we’re offering.”
Connecting With Voters
Sanchez’s campaign knocked on over 17,000 doors in Smyrna, where he found that voters wanted passionate and visionary leaders. His efforts highlighted everyday concerns like rising costs, low wages, and access to healthcare.
One of his first goals is to introduce bipartisan legislation to protect workers, such as a bill preventing employers from requiring a doctor’s note for sick days if they don’t offer health insurance.
A Bigger Movement
Sanchez doesn’t just want to pass bills—he wants to shift Georgia’s political landscape, which has been dominated by Republicans for nearly two decades. He believes the GOP has misled working people into thinking it represents their interests, even though its policies often don’t support them.
His broader vision includes ambitious goals like universal healthcare, affordable housing, and raising the minimum wage to $20 an hour. Critics call these ideas radical, but Sanchez points out that wages haven’t kept up with inflation since 2009, when the federal minimum wage was last adjusted to $7.25 per hour.
“Everything else gets more expensive—housing, gas, groceries—but wages stay the same,” Sanchez said. “That’s what’s truly insane.”
Shaped by Life Experiences
Sanchez’s political outlook was shaped by personal challenges. During the 2008 recession, his family lost everything, forcing them to move to a small apartment in Miami. This experience taught him how systemic issues can harm hardworking families.
Another defining moment came in 2012, when his classmate Trayvon Martin was killed in Florida. Martin’s death and the acquittal of his shooter exposed Sanchez to the realities of systemic racism in America.
These experiences motivated Sanchez to take action. After working on campaigns and volunteering with community organizations, he decided to run for office to amplify the voices of ordinary people.
A Megaphone for Change
Sanchez doesn’t see himself as a political savior. Instead, he views his role as a representative for the people.
“I’m not a superhero here to save the day,” he said. “I’m a megaphone for your voice. Join me in this fight, because it’s up to all of us to push for change.”
By prioritizing the needs of working people and staying focused on grassroots issues, Sanchez hopes to inspire long-term change in Georgia’s political system.