Sophia Gonzalez poses for a photo in Tate Student Center at the University of Georgia on Friday, April 17 in Athens, Georgia. Gonzalez is a first-generation Mexican-American originally from Dacula, Georgia. (Photo/Emily Laycock)
UGA Student backs Tim Denson, citing housing and immigration as key issues
By Emily Laycock
Sophia Gonzalez, 21, plans to vote for progressive Democrat Tim Denson in the upcoming Athens mayoral election in May. Gonzalez is from Dacula, Georgia and is a 3rd year student at the University of Georgia, however she has become heavily involved with the Athens community by volunteering at Athens Immigrant Rights Coalition and working at Arbor Terrace.
Gonzalez, a first-generation Mexican American, reflects the growing Latino electorate in Georgia and nationwide. A 2024 report by GALEO found Latino voter turnout has increased by nearly 30% since 2020. A UCLA Data Brief also reported that Latinos in Georgia are five percentage points more represented among young voters ages 18 to 24 than overall.
Gonzalez says the biggest issue impacting her vote is affordable housing and homelessness.
“I interact with a lot of (Athens) locals, and it's just completely unaffordable … if you're local to live here,” Gonzalez said. “So that's a very big issue for me … Just like sustainability for actual people that live here and not just students that come in and out.”
Gonzalez also says growing up in a family of immigrants has made current immigration issues “very personal to her.”
“I don't support lawlessness. But I think that people oversimplify immigration issues and they don't take the time to understand, like, why somebody might be here illegally,” Gonzalez said. “So it's important to me that a candidate that I vote for is fluent in those issues and understands what's happening.”