From Capitol protesting to lawmaker: Bentley Hudgins joins Georgia’s historic new class of lawmakers

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Georgia Democrats celebrated election wins that will bring new voices to the state Capitol and give the party control of the state House. But with Republicans expected to keep the Senate, those lawmakers will need support across party lines to turn their priorities into law.

Among the incoming lawmakers is Bentley Hudgins, a former advocate who fought Republican-backed bills restricting gender-affirming care for minors and transgender girls’ participation in girls’ sports.

Hudgins will be Georgia’s first openly transgender and nonbinary state lawmaker. They campaigned on making housing more affordable, keeping water reliable and improving transit, particularly in neighborhoods they say have been overlooked.

“What that says to me is that we actually know what it means to love thy neighbor,” Hudgins said. “We actually know what it means to prioritize policy solutions that make life better for people.”

Hudgins said LGBTQ+ Georgians share the same everyday concerns as other residents.

“We have kitchen tables, too,” they said. “And we want to eat. We want to eat groceries that we know won’t make us sick, that we can afford.”

Hudgins is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America. Atlanta News First counted four members in the incoming legislature, including State Senator-elect Ruwa Romman, State Rep. Gabriel Sanchez, and State Representative-elect Mathewos Samson.

State Representative-elect Jyot Singh is set to become the General Assembly’s first Sikh member, according to his campaign.

Democrats celebrated the results on the Capitol steps with hugs, dancing and singing.

Political analyst Ben Taylor said the parties have different visions for Georgia policy, which could make compromise difficult. Taylor spoke before Election Day about the possibility of divided government.

“They have different visions of what Georgia politics should be and what Georgia policy should be,” Taylor said.

The new legislature is scheduled to convene Jan. 11, 2027. Lawmakers will need to navigate a divided General Assembly to advance their proposals.