Trio of challengers battles in House District 153 Democratic primary

ALBANY — With the added intrigue of an incumbent who considered not seeking a second term in office before relenting and throwing his hat back into the ring, a first-time candidate who’s still, at age 21, working to finalize his college degree, and a perennial candidate who decided to seek the office when the incumbent said he was not going to run, the state House District 153 Democratic primary race May 21 has become an interesting battle to watch.  

Incumbent David Sampson is being challenged by Albany firefighter Tracy Taylor, who was the chair of the local Republican Party before switching over to the Democratic Party this year, and college student Joshua Anthony, who despite his youth, notes that he has been working on political issues for the past eight years and even wrote a gun bill proposal at age 19, a bill he hopes to bring before the state legislature if he claims the House 153 seat.

Sampson, who underwent surgery during his first two-year term in the legislature, forcing him to miss several days of the session, said he had indeed considered not seeking a second term in office before being encouraged to reconsider by supporters and state officials.

“Yes, I considered not running for a second term because of health issues and, quite frankly, I have, I believe, one of the most beautiful wives in the state of Georgia, and it is difficult to leave her for the 40 days of the session,” Sampson said. “But I am also now keenly aware of how the process works and what it takes to get things done in Atlanta.

“Most people don’t understand that, if you want to have an impact, you must be aligned, must have contacts with, officials in the majority party. I’ve done that, and I’m too mature — way too grown — to come up here and embarrass Dougherty County by being a rabble-rouser. This seat is only one vote, and people can send whoever they want up to Atlanta. But I have that first-term learning process under my belt, and I know how to network. It’s like someone moving their money from Bank of America to Regions Bank for no reason. Why would you do that?”

Sampson pointed to his efforts to get HB 77, which brought another Superior Court judge to the county, passed as an example of working with Republicans like Gerald Greene of Cuthbert to get needed legislation passed. He said the county would be “set back four or five years” by changing representatives now.

“I am absolutely engaged in this process; I’m all-in,” he said. “Once I’m elected, I’d like to meet with city and county officials — the commissions, the chamber of commerce, the school board, Albany State, Albany Tech and other stakeholders — to discuss the issues that are important to the community. It’s vital that we prioritize.

“Look, there are 159 counties in Georgia, and all of them have wants and needs. We can’t go up there and say ‘This group wants this and this group wants this and this group wants that …’ because if you multiply that by 159 counties … well, you can see what a calamity that would be. No, we need to prioritize our needs so that we can work on them  in a unified manner, one by one.”

Anthony, an Albany native, said he’s seen the community gradually stray from the ideals that made it the “Good Life City.” He said a return to the “fundamental issues” is needed in the southwest Georgia hub.

“I go out every day and canvass, talk to the people in all sections of Dougherty County,” the candidate said. “And they’re very excited to talk about the possibility for positive change in this community. People want to see economic development, good jobs brought here. And gun violence is a big thing. I wrote a gun bill that will not at all infringe on anyone’s Second Amendment rights — I strongly support that right — but that would make gun owners more responsible. It’s time for that.

“I also think we have to take a good look at health care in our state and country. We’ve got to help people, especially our seniors.”

Despite his youth, Anthony said there would be no severe learning curve if he wins the Democratic nomination.

“I hadn’t thought seriously about a run (for office), but a couple of community leaders told me they need someone like me in that office,” he said. “They were aware of the work I’ve done over the past eight years, and they told me I could bring about positive change in the community in that seat.

“I have the experience; I know a lot of the state leaders in the legislature. I’ve served as president of the state’s Young Democrats, and I’ve worked with leaders in the House. That’s important, but I’m also tired of seeing people in my community suffering, people who are homeless and jobless. I’m ready to address those issues.”

Taylor, who has sought several offices over the past few years, said he thinks switching over to the Democratic Party may be the thing that finally gets him in the win column.

“From the feedback I’m getting, I think this was the right step for me,” he said. “People have come up to me before and said, ‘I like what you’re saying, but I’m going to stick with the Democrats.’ I will still hold on to my conservative values, which are important to me, but I will be running in the dominant party in this region.

“I believe that by offering a more moderate stance in the party, people will see that I can reach across the aisle to the contacts I’ve made in both parties.”

Taylor has been accused by some of “ducking” his opponents by not appearing at candidate forums hosted by various groups, but he said that’s not the case.

“The first event, I had already made plans to travel with my family,” he said. “They didn’t let me know until a few days before the event, and I couldn’t change my plans. The second forum, I was working (with the Albany Fire Department).

“But I think it’s important for the citizens of Dougherty County to know that, with the relationships I’ve built on both sides of the aisle, the seat would be set back five to 10 years down the road if they put the wrong person in it.”

The candidate said he made the decision to seek the House seat when Sampson told him he was not going to run again.

“For the record, I went to him personally, and he told me three separate times he was not going to run,” Taylor said. “It was even in the paper. But now he’s decided that he will run. That’s fine.

“I just want the voters to know that I’m engaged and am focused on legislation that will impact our water policy, will push for industrial diversity and favorable tax legislation, as well as taking a very pro-business stance. I will hit the ground running on those issues.” 

The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Brenda Battle in the Nov. 5 general election. 

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Photo Courtesy of Joshua Anthony[email protected]