Youngest Georgia lawmaker Akbar Ali starts first day in General Assembly

When Rep. Akbar Ali won a runoff special election in December for a Gwinnett state House seat, the 21-year-old became the youngest lawmaker in the Georgia General Assembly.

Ali represents House District 106, which covers portions of Lawrenceville and Snellville.

“I’m proud and ready to serve this community,” the Democrat told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution when he was elected. “There are a lot of issues that families and seniors are struggling with right now. I’m ready to tackle them on Day 1. I won’t rest until they’re solved.”

The AJC spent the day with the freshman lawmaker when the 2026 Georgia Assembly convened.

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Credit: Abbey Cutrer/AJC

Credit: Abbey Cutrer/AJC

Ali tries his new desk on for size on his first day in his new office at the Capitol, before the work day gets underway.

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At left, Ali fixes his hair behind his desk as he jokes, “This is the hair that got me all the votes.” At right, Ali’s Gwinnett County Democratic Party and Gwinnett Young Democrats name tags are displayed on his bookshelf in his office.

Credit: Abbey Cutrer/AJC

Danielle Tuwano, founder of the Level Up Foundation, is moved to tears as she sees Ali in his office on his first day. Tuwano had worked with Ali previously at the Gwinnett Young Democrats.

Credit: Abbey Cutrer/AJC

Ali points in the direction he wants to go as he consults a map on his phone to navigate his way through the Capitol on the first day of the legislative session on Monday, Jan. 12. A portrait of Benjamin Harvey Hill, who served in both the Georgia House and Senate as well as in Congress, depicts him pointing in the same direction as Ali.

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Ali takes his spot on the House floor right before the legislative day kicks off.

Credit: Abbey Cutrer/AJC

Ali participates in his first vote, voting “no” on passing the session schedule after some debate over meeting on Eid al-Fitr, a religious holiday that celebrates the end of Ramadan.

Credit: Abbey Cutrer/AJC

Ali grins widely as he, Rep. Brian Prince (left) and Rep. Gabe Okoye celebrate the House adjourning after the first day of the Legislature.

Credit: Abbey Cutrer/AJC

Ali speaks with constituents in the hallways of the Capitol after leaving House chambers.

Credit: Abbey Cutrer/AJC

Ali and his team walk though the halls of the Capitol to lunch after his first day in the House.

Credit: Abbey Cutrer/AJC

Ali looks at a map showing his legislative district on his wall in his office as he considers where to hold three routine town hall meetings for his constituents.