Not my first rodeo': meet the 21-year-old serving as Georgia's youngest state legislator

"This isn't my first rodeo, Ali said, describing how he intends to work across the aisle in a Republican-dominated legislature. I've been around the other side of the aisle and seen how bills are done. It's all relationship-based. A lot of the Democratic delegation supports me, but some Republicans are also familiar with me. They may not support me, but they know who I am and that they can work with me."

"About 70% of the district is non-white today, split relatively evenly between Black, Latino and Asian residents. Going down Lawrenceville Highway, the main road in the district, you'll see a Korean Christian church, a Vietnamese place right next to a Halal restaurant, and right next to a taqueria, Ali said. He started his campaign going to small businesses owned by immigrants. I went through them with two translators by my side one Spanish and one Korean just so I could get my message across."

Muhammad Akbar Ali, a 21-year-old recent college graduate, won a state house runoff in suburban Atlanta and is now the youngest serving Georgia legislator. Ali plans to work across the aisle in a Republican-dominated legislature by using relationships and prior experience with lawmakers. Political activism began in elementary school in response to zoning battles over a mosque and grew into leading marches and rechartering local Young Democrats. His district around Snellville is a diverse, fast-growing exurb with about 70% non-white residents. Ali campaigned directly with immigrant-owned small businesses using Spanish and Korean translators to communicate his message.

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