Joshua Anthony aims to represent the 153rd House District in Georgia’s legislature. At 21 years old, the pathfinder is already concerned about poverty, unemployment, and rising crime, which he hopes to alleviate. District 153 includes Dougherty County and Downtown Albany.
The Georgia State University student stated to The Atlanta Voice, “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.”
While the city has produced some outstanding leaders with amazing ideas, he stated that the residents still confront terrible situations. He believes that it’s time to “get involved and create change with a real plan to reverse the continuous cycles of poverty and struggles for Albany’s residents” since other areas outside Albany’s District 153 are making great progress. “I can’t make promises or make changes overnight, but I do have a five-year rejuvenation plan that will generate chances in the coming years. I want to help my city so that they will believe.”
Anthony is pursuing an education through online programs while campaigning against incumbent Representative David Sampson.
In addition to advocating for his events, the trailblazer has held community town halls called “Talk & Trim” in barbershops, where residents can learn about his platforms and ask questions. In September 2023, Anthony sponsored a Farmers’ Workshop to help farmers in adjacent counties apply for USDA government subsidies. He recently met with high school students at Commodore Conyers Career Academy’s Career Day and worked with Morningside Elementary on a literacy reading project.
Anthony’s program also emphasizes education, particularly alerting seniors about his support for Medicare and Medicaid expansion—a policy stance that the larger Georgia Democratic Caucus has long championed. He advocates for improving infrastructure and increasing broadband internet access.
Anthony also supports the creation of workforce training programs that focus on sectors and skills particular to rural communities.
He argues that Georgia should enhance teacher compensation in order to attract and retain teachers in its public schools.
He stated, “I believe the only way we can move forward is to begin focusing on vital platforms immediately. I’m not sure what other candidates are doing, but I believe in having a plan for policies that would enhance people’s lives. We must invest in the community’s development so that everyone can believe together.”
In the long run, he believes that job development will help Albany’s crime problem, asking, “We have a high crime rate—how do you fix that?” Jobs. According to the Albany Herald, “It’s not going to disappear; that’s not realistic, but it’s going to drop so dramatically because we have opportunities and things for people to do.”
Overall, Anthony emphasized that his goal is to establish vital foundations that will allow the community to thrive long after he leaves.
“We have a robust populace that has been working tirelessly to achieve the bare minimum. “Our community should not have to struggle for basic necessities,” he stated.
Anthony was only 14 years old when he started his first political campaign, which included door knocking and canvassing. Two years later, he interned in the McDonough mayor’s office before submitting his first state bill at the age of 19. He now aspires to be the youngest candidate in the Georgia Legislature.