The GA Files

← 2026 Candidates

Georgia State House — District 58

D

Mathewos Samson

Democratic nominee · software engineer; DSA member

Mathewos Samson is a 27-year-old software integration engineer and member of the Democratic Socialists of America. He finished second in the four-way May Democratic primary with 29%, then won the June runoff over nonprofit director Demetria Henderson with 66.3%. If elected, he would be the first Black DSA member in the Georgia General Assembly. He is endorsed by the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund.

Previously held

  • First run for public office
  • Software integration engineer

Top contributors

$84,929 raised, nearly all of it spent in a contested primary and runoff, leaving $6,406. His largest donors are individuals, the Atlanta DSA PAC, Atlanta City Council member Kelsea Bond's committee and two building-trades unions; he says his campaign takes no corporate money.

  • $6,100.00Nathan Knauf (Atlanta, GA)
  • $5,200.00Mathewos Samson (Atlanta, GA — the candidate)
  • $5,100.00Steven Imle (Atlanta, GA)
  • $5,100.00Atlanta DSA PAC (Atlanta, GA)
  • $5,100.00Kelsea Bond for Atlanta (Atlanta, GA)
  • $3,300.00Chris Dixon (Atlanta, GA)
  • $3,197.00Cristian Sharp (Atlanta, GA — two entries)
  • $1,500.00IUPAT DC 77 (Decatur, GA — painters' union)
  • $1,500.00IBEW PAC Educational Fund (Washington, DC)

$84,929 raised · $6,406 cash on hand — as of Sep 14, 2026 (GA Ethics latest filing).

Source: Georgia Ethics Commission (PeachFile) — cycle-to-date, Sept. 14, 2026 · Capital B Atlanta — This Democratic socialist could make Georgia history in November (Aug. 2026) · Ballotpedia — Georgia House of Representatives District 58 · Wikipedia — 2026 Georgia House of Representatives election (2024 presidential margins by district)

Where they stand

Education

We reviewed his campaign coverage and candidate profiles as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Capital B Atlanta — This Democratic socialist could make Georgia history in November (Aug. 2026) · Atlanta Civic Circle — The unexpected candidate: why DSA member Mathewos Samson is running for the legislature
Healthcare

Supports Medicare for All.

Source: Capital B Atlanta — This Democratic socialist could make Georgia history in November (Aug. 2026)
Minimum Wage

We reviewed his campaign coverage and candidate profiles as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Capital B Atlanta — This Democratic socialist could make Georgia history in November (Aug. 2026) · Atlanta Civic Circle — The unexpected candidate: why DSA member Mathewos Samson is running for the legislature
Homelessness

We reviewed his campaign coverage and candidate profiles as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. On housing, he wants corporate landlords forced into “selling the houses they've bought, not just capping the number they can own.”

Source: Capital B Atlanta — This Democratic socialist could make Georgia history in November (Aug. 2026)
Veterans Affairs

We reviewed his campaign coverage and candidate profiles as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Capital B Atlanta — This Democratic socialist could make Georgia history in November (Aug. 2026) · Atlanta Civic Circle — The unexpected candidate: why DSA member Mathewos Samson is running for the legislature
Immigration

We reviewed his campaign coverage and candidate profiles as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Capital B Atlanta — This Democratic socialist could make Georgia history in November (Aug. 2026) · Atlanta Civic Circle — The unexpected candidate: why DSA member Mathewos Samson is running for the legislature
Gun Control

We reviewed his campaign coverage and candidate profiles as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Capital B Atlanta — This Democratic socialist could make Georgia history in November (Aug. 2026) · Atlanta Civic Circle — The unexpected candidate: why DSA member Mathewos Samson is running for the legislature
Abortion

We reviewed his campaign coverage and candidate profiles as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Capital B Atlanta — This Democratic socialist could make Georgia history in November (Aug. 2026) · Atlanta Civic Circle — The unexpected candidate: why DSA member Mathewos Samson is running for the legislature
LGBTQ+

We reviewed his campaign coverage and candidate profiles as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. He is endorsed by the LGBTQ+ Victory Fund.

Source: LGBTQ+ Victory Fund — Mathewos Samson
DEI

We reviewed his campaign coverage and candidate profiles as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this. On money in politics: “We don't take money from corporations because we represent people's interests.”

Source: Capital B Atlanta — This Democratic socialist could make Georgia history in November (Aug. 2026)
Marijuana

We reviewed his campaign coverage and candidate profiles as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Capital B Atlanta — This Democratic socialist could make Georgia history in November (Aug. 2026) · Atlanta Civic Circle — The unexpected candidate: why DSA member Mathewos Samson is running for the legislature
Data centers

We reviewed his campaign coverage and candidate profiles as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Capital B Atlanta — This Democratic socialist could make Georgia history in November (Aug. 2026) · Atlanta Civic Circle — The unexpected candidate: why DSA member Mathewos Samson is running for the legislature

Accountability File

None documented.

LGBTQ+ Victory Fund profile

R

Torrey Balam

Republican nominee

Torrey Balam won an uncontested Republican primary for this heavily Democratic seat. He has reported no campaign contributions, and we found no campaign website, candidate questionnaire or press coverage describing his background or positions as of September 2026.

Previously held

  • First run for the General Assembly

Top contributors

His committee reports $0 raised and $0 on hand as of September 14, 2026.

$0 raised · $0 cash on hand — as of Sep 14, 2026 (GA Ethics latest filing).

Source: Georgia Ethics Commission (PeachFile) — cycle-to-date, Sept. 14, 2026 · Ballotpedia — Georgia House of Representatives District 58

Where they stand

Education

We reviewed public campaign materials and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Ballotpedia — Georgia House of Representatives District 58
Healthcare

We reviewed public campaign materials and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Ballotpedia — Georgia House of Representatives District 58
Minimum Wage

We reviewed public campaign materials and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Ballotpedia — Georgia House of Representatives District 58
Homelessness

We reviewed public campaign materials and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Ballotpedia — Georgia House of Representatives District 58
Veterans Affairs

We reviewed public campaign materials and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Ballotpedia — Georgia House of Representatives District 58
Immigration

We reviewed public campaign materials and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Ballotpedia — Georgia House of Representatives District 58
Gun Control

We reviewed public campaign materials and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Ballotpedia — Georgia House of Representatives District 58
Abortion

We reviewed public campaign materials and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Ballotpedia — Georgia House of Representatives District 58
LGBTQ+

We reviewed public campaign materials and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Ballotpedia — Georgia House of Representatives District 58
DEI

We reviewed public campaign materials and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Ballotpedia — Georgia House of Representatives District 58
Marijuana

We reviewed public campaign materials and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Ballotpedia — Georgia House of Representatives District 58
Data centers

We reviewed public campaign materials and coverage as of September 2026 and found no stated position on this.

Source: Ballotpedia — Georgia House of Representatives District 58

Accountability File

None documented.

Ballotpedia — HD-58

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Every entry is drawn from published reporting, official records, or the candidate's own statements, with sources on each item. Policy summaries are condensed from that reporting and reflect the candidate's stated positions; where a matter is an allegation or unresolved, that is noted, and inclusion is not a finding of guilt. Contributor figures are early/partial where the official itemized filings (Georgia Ethics Commission) are still being compiled. Corrections welcome via the contact link in the footer. Last updated 2026-06-17.