State House District 42 in Georgia State House District 42, Georgia

2026 Primary Election

• Carlos Vilela — Attorney in Marietta, GA

  Carlos Vilela, a Democrat, is an attorney and public servant running for the Georgia House of Representatives, District 42, in the 2026 primary. Born in Venezuela, he immigrated to the U.S. as a child and became a naturalized citizen. He chairs the State Bar of Georgia’s Committee on Professionalism. Vilela prioritizes protecting reproductive healthcare, ensuring a fair justice system, combating price gouging, and advocating for working families and effective schools. He seeks to represent District 42 with integrity, focusing on practical solutions, public safety, and responsible economic growth.

• Gabriel Sanchez — Incumbent State Representative in Smyrna, GA

  Gabriel Sanchez, a member of the Democratic Party and a self-described socialist, was elected to the Georgia House of Representatives for the 42nd district in 2024, defeating incumbent Teri Anulewicz in the primary. Born April 25, 1997, his parents immigrated from Colombia. He holds a film degree from Georgia State University and previously worked as a legislative aide and an organizer for the Stop Cop City movement. Representing Cobb County, Sanchez advocates for the working class, supporting policies such as universal healthcare, housing for all, a $20 minimum wage, reproductive rights, and criminal justice reform. He is Latino and recently joined the Progressive Caucus in Georgia, also introducing the SPEAK Act to enhance student and educator voice in education policy.

• Andre' Lamar Stafford — Restaurant Manager in Smyrna, GA

  Andre Stafford, a Republican, is campaigning for Georgia House District 42. A Georgia native, he was born in Camden County, raised in Chatham County, and now lives in Cobb County. With over a decade in the service industry, he currently manages a restaurant team of more than 100 employees. Stafford champions individual freedom, taxpayer respect, and family support, advocating for dignity for all constituents. He has publicly pledged to support Congressional term limits. His motivation to run stems from a commitment to serving with integrity and working collaboratively to improve Georgia, seeking practical solutions over partisan rhetoric.