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Cobb County, GA ballot

Gabriel Sanchez

Democratincumbent

State House of Representatives 42 · Cobb County, Georgia · November 3, 2026

Also on the ballot: André Stafford (Republican)

Gabriel Sanchez is the Democratic incumbent in House District 42, elected in 2024 after unseating incumbent Teri Anulewicz in a primary as a Democratic Socialists of America-backed candidate. A former waiter and community organizer, he campaigns on universal health care, affordable housing, and a higher minimum wage, and does not accept corporate PAC money.

What this office decides

A Georgia state representative votes on the state budget, tax rates, and laws on schools, health coverage, policing and sentencing, guns, immigration enforcement by state and local agencies, and elections. The seat also shapes state spending on transit and roads in Cobb County. The winner is one of 180 House members.

How this race lines up with you

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Dossier

Researched 2026-09-22 · Claude Code research agent with web search

Donald Trump: nothing found. No direct endorsement or criticism of Sanchez by Donald Trump was found.

  • Atlanta, Ga. Democratic Socialists of America (DSA) (for) source
  • Democratic Socialists of America (national) (for) source

Who they are

Gabriel Sanchez is the Democratic state representative for House District 42 (Austell/Mableton), born in Cobb County to Colombian immigrant parents; before his election he worked as a waiter and community organizer and earned a bachelor's degree from Georgia State University in 2018 (AJC, May 22, 2024; Ballotpedia). He is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (AJC).

Positions

  • Health care: "Let's guarantee universal healthcare for every single Georgian" (candidate's own statement) (Cobb Courier).
  • Business & regulation: "Build real affordable housing and hold corporate landlords accountable" (candidate's own statement) (Cobb Courier).
  • Taxes & spending: Campaigned for a "$20 minimum wage in Georgia" and an economy where "a single 40-hour-a-week income is enough" (candidate's own statement) (Cobb Courier).
  • Crime & policing: In 2024 he raised voter concerns about policing and the Atlanta training center (reported by AJC) (AJC).
  • Schools, Personal freedom, Immigration: No position found.

Record

Assumed office January 13, 2025, after defeating five-term incumbent Teri Anulewicz in the May 2024 primary — the first DSA-backed candidate to win a Georgia House primary, per AJC — then Republican Diane Jackson in the general (AJC; Ballotpedia). Sits on Budget and Fiscal Affairs Oversight, Governmental Affairs, and Interstate Cooperation (Ballotpedia). Won renomination May 19, 2026, 82.2% over Carlos Vilela (Ballotpedia).

Money

Per Ballotpedia's summary of OpenSecrets/FEC data, Sanchez raised $98,292 (spent $86,100) in 2024; 2026-cycle totals not yet posted (Ballotpedia). His campaign says it is run without corporate PAC money (Cobb Courier).

Recent news

  • 2024-05-22: Defeated incumbent Teri Anulewicz in the primary (AJC).
  • 2024-11-05: Won the general over Republican Diane Jackson (Ballotpedia).
  • 2026-05-19: Won renomination, 82.2% over Carlos Vilela (Ballotpedia).

What we couldn't find

  • Bills sponsored or votes cast in the 2025-2026 session; 2026-cycle campaign-finance totals.
  • Any statement by or about Donald Trump directly regarding Sanchez.
Sources (3)