ATLANTA — Two tenacious politicians in their 20s have been recently elected to Georgia's House of Representatives.
Gabriel Sanchez, 27, will represent District 42 and Bryce Berry, 23, will represent District 56.
Sanchez said it's time politicians match the median age of the population.
"Gen Z is going to be, probably, the biggest generation we've seen since Baby Boomers," Sanchez said. "And we deserve representation."
Berry said leadership should align with the progression the state is heading toward.
"Georgia is overwhelmingly working class," Berry said. "Georgia's overwhelmingly getting younger and more progressive. And I think that Gabe and I bring those perspectives to the state house."
Sanchez is described as the first Democratic Socialist ever elected. He works as a waiter and refuses to accept corporate money.
"We do need new ideas," Sanchez continued. "Because, clearly, the way people are doing it right now isn't working."
Gen Z voter Manuel Gutierrez said he's hopeful for the younger representatives.
"Help make decisions for a better future for us, like buying houses or finding a job," Gutierrez said.
Housing, healthcare and the economy are Sanchez's main focus.
"We don't know if we're going to be able to own a home," Sanchez said. "We are not making nearly as much money, adjusted to inflation, as our parents and grandparents did."
Berry agrees and adds an education focus as he's a teacher.
"Georgia just passed a school voucher bill that does not produce results and will not produce results," Berry said. "And so, tackling the harmful effects of that on Black and brown children, children with disabilities, and teachers will be my number one priority."
Berry said he understands some people may not take him seriously because of his age. He explained that he's been in politics since he was a teenager, working for the Black Lives Matter movement, President Joe Biden and Senator Jon Ossoff's campaigns, to name a few. Sanchez explained that he, too, comes with enough experience. He worked for two state representatives and nonprofit organizations around voting rights.
"I'm expecting people to look down at me because of my age, but I'm whip-smart," Berry said. "So, what I do is -- I just find someone else to work with because I'm gonna get things done. I'm not there to deal with the petty politics."
Sanchez said he's planning a town hall to hear the needs of his district. You can follow him here.