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

Things That Go Boom

Content provided by PRX. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by PRX or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.

21d ago 29:06

MP3•Episode home

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.

We reached out to Lockheed Martin for comment before publication, and asked questions about the company's stance on Sanchez's legislative goals. The company responded with this statement: “We value our state and national elected officials and the support provided to the Marietta site and the C-130, an aircraft that has created economic growth and provided humanitarian and critical assistance around the globe. We also enjoy a strong partnership with the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers as the largest employer of union-represented workers in Cobb County.”

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)

108 episodes

#International Relations #News #Politics #PRX