GWINNETT COUNTY, GA — A 22-year-old college student is making history in Gwinnett County after becoming the youngest person ever elected to a county commission in Georgia.

Ben Culberson defeated Republican incumbent Matthew Holtkamp in the midterm election to represent District 4 in north Gwinnett County. Holtkamp was first elected to the Board of Commissioners in 2022.

Speaking with WSB for the first time since his election victory, Culberson described the experience as unexpected.

“I mean it’s totally surreal,” Culberson said.

Despite his age, the commissioner-elect says he is ready to begin working on several priorities, including marijuana decriminalization, data center development and giving residents more input on projects in their communities.

“The first policy I want to get passed no matter what is decriminalizing cannabis,” Culberson said.

He believes the move could also encourage state lawmakers to reconsider Georgia’s marijuana laws.

“It’s going to be a good way to put pressure on the state to revisit its cannabis laws, and it’s going to be one of my favorite policies to pass immediately because it’s a campaign promise done right then and there,” Culberson said.

Culberson also wants to prevent new data centers from being built in Gwinnett County.

“I want to make sure none come into Gwinnett County,” he said.

Another priority is increasing community involvement in decisions about development, particularly in north Gwinnett.

“Making sure that the community has more input on the development. We see that north Gwinnett is being developed at a rate faster than the rest of the county, that’s obviously because of relevant and available land,” Culberson said.

While preparing to take office, Culberson plans to continue pursuing his degree at Georgia Gwinnett College.

He also recognizes the responsibility that comes with being the youngest county commissioner elected in state history.

“Especially as someone just as young as me, I have to prove those credentials. I have to prove that I can do the work, and I’m more than confident that I can,” Culberson said.

Culberson says he expects to work closely with his fellow commissioners while ensuring the concerns of north Gwinnett residents receive attention.

“We are in lockstep on so many issues, and I just want to be able to make sure that north Gwinnett’s issues are just as prioritized,” he said.

WSB Radio’s Ashley Simmons and Keith Cromwell contributed to this story.