Gabriel Sanchez on Georgia, Tex-Mex, and Representing a District Built on Defense Jobs

When 27-year-old Gabriel Sanchez won his Democratic primary in Smyrna, Georgia — home to a massive Lockheed Martin plant — few expected an outspoken anti-war socialist to carry a district built on defense jobs. But Sanchez has managed to do just that, working to push for better benefits, wages, and labor rights across the state. In this episode, we look at how he’s building bridges between anti-war ideals and pro-labor politics — and what his unlikely success might mean for the future of organizing in defense towns.

GUEST: Gabriel Sanchez, Georgia State Representative

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

Jonathan Chang and Meghna Chakrabarti, “'The last supper': How a 1993 Pentagon dinner reshaped the defense industry,” WBUR’s On Point

Taylor Barnes, “Meet the democratic socialist winning in a Lockheed town,” Inkstick Media

Michelle Baruchman, “Only socialist in legislature beat expectations,” Atlanta Journal-Constitution (paywall)