SMYRNA, Ga. — A self-described "Democratic Socialist" and opponent of the Atlanta public safety training project won a primary in Cobb County Tuesday. Gabriel Sanchez unseated a Democrat and will face voters again in November, results show.
The effort to stop the training center has energized many liberals – as well as conservatives who support law enforcement. Many activists opposed to the training center project call it "Cop City." One of the leaders of the "Stop Cop City" movement quietly showed up at the Capitol in March to qualify to run for state representative. At the time, Sanchez seemed a longshot.
"I’m currently working as a waiter to make ends meet. But I think that this is important," Sanchez told 11Alive News in March.
Tuesday night Sanchez won his primary against a seven-year veteran, Democrat Teri Anulewicz. Her attorney husband, Chris Anulewicz, has represented a defendant in Fulton County’s election interference case. Sanchez’s backers used that to question the incumbent’s Democratic credentials.
Sanchez said Democrats need to lean harder to the left, "and show the people we are fighting for them. Because I think that’s what makes the difference. I think the Republicans are really good at giving red meat to their base. And that’s why they win despite that they’re in the minority overall," Sanchez said Wednesday.
While, Sanchez calls himself a Democratic socialist, Republicans say that’s not what voters want to hear.
"While last night’s results gave Georgia Republicans much to celebrate, it proved the Democratic Socialists of America are in the driver’s seat of the Democratic Party of Georgia," the state Republican party wrote on the X platform.
Sanchez said the violence and destruction sometimes linked to "Cop City" protests are overstated by the news media. The issue, he said, is fundamental, and he makes no apology for making the case.
"Right now what the city of Atlanta is doing with 'Cop City' is abhorrent and they need to let (voters) have a democratic say in it and vote on it," he said.
Sanchez will face Republican Diane Jackson in November. Lawmakers drew District 42 as a district likely to be won by a Democrat.
Jackson sent 11Alive News an email saying in part:
“My opponent’s win shows how extreme and out of touch with Georgians the Democrats have become. Voters who want low taxes, safe communities and parents empowered on education decisions have a clear choice in this race.”