Joshua Anthony, is concerned about Albany’s future. The community and city are continuing to deal with several disparities, including poverty, low job employment, and increased crime. He believes Albany and Southwest Georgia have been neglected and passed over.
Therefore, at 21 years of age, Anthony, a student at Georgia State University, is running for the Georgia Legislature, seeking to represent Georgia’s 153rd House District. District 153 encompasses Dougherty County and downtown Albany, including the Audubon, Lakeside, and Oakdale areas.
“We’ve had a few past leaders who have brought great ideas to Albany,” says Anthony. “But overall most people in our city are still struggling, and it has been for years. There are other cities outside Albany’s District 153 that are progressing at unprecedented levels. Now is the time to get involved and create change with a real plan to reverse the continuous cycles of poverty and struggles for Albany’s residents. I cannot make promises or changes overnight, but I have a five-year revitalization plan that will create opportunities over the next five years. I want to help my city so they can believe.”
Currently, David Sampson, a Democrat from Albany, represents District 153 in the Statehouse Legislature. Meanwhile, Anthony takes his classes online as he campaigns. He has championed his events, “Talk & Trim,” community town halls in barbershops where residents can ask questions and learn about his platforms. In September 2023, Anthony also hosted a Farmers’ Workshop, assisting farmers in surrounding counties apply for federal aid with USDA. Anthony recently partnered with Morningside Elementary for his Literacy reading program and spoke with high school students for Career Day with Commodore Conyers Career Academy.
Anthony’s platform also focuses heavily on education including educating seniors about his support of expanding Medicare and Medicaid, a policy position that the greater Georgia Democratic Caucus has championed. He also supports modernizing infrastructure and increasing access to broadband internet.
Plus, Anthony says he supports creating workforce training programs focused on rural-specific skills and emerging industries. Notably, Anthony believes it’s time for Georgia to increase teacher salaries, focusing on attracting and retaining teachers in Georgia’s public schools.
“I think the only way we can move forward is to initiate a focus on important platforms now,” explains Anthony. I don’t know what other candidates are doing, but I believe in having a plan concerning policies that improve people’s lives. We must invest in the community’s growth so they can believe together.”
Although Georgia has elected two Democrats (Jon Ossoff and Reverend Raphael Warnock) to the United States Senate, the Gold Dome is dominated by Republican leadership in the Governor’s Mansion, the legislature, and in statewide offices. Nevertheless, Anthony is encouraged to find common ground as a great starting point toward working with the current legislators.
“There isn’t one Republican in the Georgia State Legislature that disagrees with not supporting Georgia educators,” says Anthony. “If we can find that common consensus, we can grow and expand to create great legislation. It’s important to have adult conversations and attack the issue head-on and not be distracted by our internal battles. My job is to listen, work, and think of what is best to bring home to Albany, and this is important.”
Anthony is ready to step up and create change now.
“I am inspired to lead; I will never forget the encouraging words of my grandfather: Yes, there will be a struggle and tough times, but that doesn’t have to be Albany’s story.”