Politically Georgia

Georgia's political landscape is undergoing a dramatic shift following Democrats' sweeping election victories. On today's episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy examine Gov. Brian Kemp's decision not to call a special legislative session to redraw political maps or limit Gov.-elect Keisha Lance Bottoms' powers. They discuss how Democrats' takeover of the state House and gains in the Senate could reshape debates over Medicaid expansion, abortion and gun laws. Plus, a closer look at the strategy behind Jon Ossoff's landslide reelection victory and the challenges awaiting Bottoms as she prepares to govern.<...

Keisha Lance Bottoms’ historic victory and Jon Ossoff’s decisive reelection reshape Georgia’s balance of power. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, Greg Bluestein joins Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell from election night watch parties to examine Democrats’ statewide sweep and Donald Trump’s role in Republican losses. With control of the Georgia House still unresolved at recording, they explore the hurdles facing Bottoms’ agenda and whether Republicans could use a special session to redraw districts or limit her powers.

Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the...

Georgia’s election night hinges on who turns out today and how far voters split their tickets. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, Greg Bluestein, with Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell, examines what early voting signals for the Senate and governor’s races and why initial returns could be misleading. They also discuss whether Democratic gains could extend to other statewide offices and legislative seats. Plus, what the governor’s race could mean for a potential special session on redistricting and executive powers.

Have a question or comment for the show? C...

With Election Day approaching, Georgia Democrats are showing new confidence while Republicans raise concerns about early voting trends. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, Greg Bluestein, alongside Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell, examines whether Barack Obama’s rally in metro Atlanta could help Democrats carry that momentum into Tuesday. They also answer listener questions about record early turnout, what to watch as election results come in and whether Rick Jackson’s shifting relationship with Donald Trump could hurt his campaign for governor. Plus, could Jon Ossoff rise to Senate leadership, and is Georgia really f...

Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy examine the race for Georgia lieutenant governor and the competing priorities of Democratic state Sen. Josh McLaurin and Republican state Sen. Greg Dolezal. McLaurin joins them to discuss his plans for working with a Republican-controlled Senate, expanding Medicaid and addressing affordability. Dolezal was unable to join because of scheduling conflicts, but Greg and Patricia examine his positions through clips from the Atlanta Press Club debate and a recent Trump rally in Dalton. They also dig into the candidates' differences over income taxes, data centers and school vouchers, and what those disagreements could mean for...

An FBI raid. Boxes of ballots. And an affidavit that pulled Georgia back into the battles of 2020.

In Episode 2, AJC reporters follow the evidence behind the Fulton County investigation and unpack how skeptics, activists, lawmakers, and election officials have spent years fighting over what really happened.

The result is a story about how Georgia became ground zero in America's struggle over election trust, and why that fight is still shaping the future of voting.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It had been almost three decades since Georgia backed a Democratic presidential candidate. Then, in 2020, it flipped.

As Joe Biden's narrow victory emerged, false claims of voter fraud spread across the state, turning Fulton County into the center of a national firestorm.

AJC reporters Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy, David Wickert and Tia Mitchell take listeners inside the recounts, conspiracy theories, threats against election workers, and the pressure campaign that culminated in Donald Trump's infamous call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. It's the story of how Georgia became the epicenter of "Stop...

In the final installment of Georgia's Choice, Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy examine why culture war issues have taken a back seat to affordability in Georgia's 2026 elections. They dig into Republican Senate candidate Mike Collins' evolving position on abortion exceptions and the competing approaches to abortion and gun laws in the governor's race. They also weigh how transgender rights remain a political flashpoint and what Keisha Lance Bottoms could realistically accomplish with a Republican-controlled Legislature.

Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. W...

With Election Day approaching, Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell dig into the competing strategies to drive turnout across Georgia. They examine Donald Trump's latest rally, his announcement of a $4.2 billion Audi plant and the political balancing act facing Republican gubernatorial nominee Rick Jackson. They also weigh Republican concerns about sluggish early voting in rural Georgia and the potential impact of Trump's remarks about withholding federal help from political opponents. Meanwhile, Democrats are bringing Barack Obama and Kamala Harris to Georgia in hopes of boosting turnout for Jon Ossoff, Keisha Lance Bottoms and the rest of the ticket.<...

With Election Day approaching, early voting numbers are raising questions about whether Republicans can close a growing turnout gap in Democratic-leaning areas. On today's Politically Georgia, Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy examine what the numbers reveal and why it's still too early to draw conclusions. They also explore how split-ticket voting could affect Georgia's closely contested down-ballot races, explain a new election rule requiring handwritten voter lists and discuss the attorney general's role in investigating local corruption. Plus, could Gov. Brian Kemp's embrace of data centers become a defining part of his legacy?

Have a q...

A new AJC poll shows Sen. Jon Ossoff with an eight-point lead over Republican Mike Collins, even as Georgia's governor's race remains deadlocked. Host Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy dig into what Ossoff's advantage could mean for down-ballot Republicans and what voters think about potential 2028 presidential bids from Georgia political figures. They also examine growing bipartisan concerns about artificial intelligence, new data centers and license plate surveillance cameras, with voters signaling they want more oversight.

Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. W...

Georgia's next secretary of state will play a critical role in shaping how Georgians vote in 2028. Host Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy sit down with Democratic nominee Penny Brown Reynolds to discuss federal intervention in Georgia elections, voting security and her plans to restore public confidence. Republican nominee Tim Fleming declined an invitation to join, but Greg and Patricia examine his positions through remarks from a recent Trump rally and the Atlanta Press Club debate. They dig into where the candidates differ on absentee voting, paper ballots and the future of Georgia's elections.

Have a q...

In the latest installment of our Georgia’s Choice series, Greg Bluestein is joined by AJC political reporter Riley Bunch to examine the races further down the ballot that could reshape Georgia politics. They look at the contests for lieutenant governor, secretary of state and attorney general, along with other statewide offices that have a direct impact on voters’ lives. Plus, Democrats are targeting Republican-held seats in the Georgia House, hoping to chip away at the GOP majority or potentially flip the chamber. Greg and Riley break down the key battleground districts and what a shift in power could mean...

A new Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll shows Republican Rick Jackson and Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms in a statistical tie, despite Jackson’s massive spending advantage. Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy break down the numbers, including Democratic enthusiasm, undecided independent voters and President Donald Trump’s declining approval rating in Georgia. They also share their takeaways from Trump’s rally in Dalton, where Jackson and Republican Senate nominee Mike Collins took noticeably different approaches to the president. Plus, why Gov. Brian Kemp’s soaring approval rating could be one of Jackson’s biggest assets in the final stretch of the campaign.

With early voting underway in Georgia, Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy tackle questions from listeners about some of the biggest issues on the November ballot. They break down confusing constitutional amendments, proposed tax breaks for farmland and the debate over removing party labels from certain local elections. They also examine Rick Jackson’s past political donations, his evolving relationship with Donald Trump and how his proposed tax cuts could affect public school funding. Plus, why a request for federal intervention in Georgia’s voting machines is raising concerns just weeks before Election Day.

Have a quest...

Greg Bluestein is joined by Tim Miller, host of The Bulwark podcast, to unpack why Jon Ossoff is polling so far ahead of Republican Mike Collins while Georgia’s governor’s race remains competitive. Miller weighs the contrasting strategies of Rick Jackson and Keisha Lance Bottoms, the role of Donald Trump and whether Ossoff could emerge as a presidential contender. They also dig into the possibility of a broader Democratic wave, the importance of voter turnout and what Georgia’s races could reveal about the national political landscape. Plus, Miller previews The Bulwark’s October 20 live show at The Eastern...

Georgia's U.S. Senate race takes a sharply personal turn as Jon Ossoff and Mike Collins face off in a heated second debate. Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy break down the attacks, Collins' answers on abortion and an ethics investigation, and Ossoff's pledge to serve a full six-year term if reelected. Plus, President Donald Trump's upcoming rally in Dalton puts Republican gubernatorial nominee Rick Jackson in a difficult position as he tries to appeal to both Trump loyalists and more independent voters. And with early voting underway, they examine the competing Republican strategies for turning out voters in November.<...

What can Georgia's next governor actually do about traffic, transit and the billions being spent on highway projects? Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy dig into the competing transportation priorities of Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson with AJC transportation reporter Sara Gregory. Tia Mitchell also shares highlights from her earlier interview with MARTA CEO Jonathan Hunt, who is making a renewed push for state funding. They examine what it would take to win over skeptical lawmakers amid concerns about MARTA's spending and safety.

Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24...

Georgia’s next attorney general will decide which legal fights to pursue and how to keep politics from shaping those decisions. Greg Bluestein, with Patricia Murphy, interviews Democratic Rep. Tanya Miller and Republican state Sen. Brian Strickland about their experience and priorities. Tanya emphasizes her prosecution record and consumer protection, while Brian points to his legal practice and legislative work on public safety. Both face questions about challenging Washington, defending state laws and holding members of their own party accountable.

Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Ge...

Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell break down the first Senate debate between Democrat Jon Ossoff and Republican Mike Collins, including the personal attacks, disputes over immigration and Collins’ close alignment with Donald Trump. They size up Ossoff’s aggressive strategy, Collins’ defense of his record and what the debate could mean for the race. They also answer listener questions about a possible presidential run by Ossoff, the connection between Georgia’s Senate and governor’s races, and the latest tensions surrounding the State Election Board.

Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text th...

Greg Bluestein sits down with MS NOW’s Chris Hayes to examine what Georgia’s closely watched midterm races could reveal about the country’s changing political landscape. Hayes makes the case that Jon Ossoff could emerge as a 2028 presidential contender and discusses how Ossoff has navigated one of the Democratic Party’s most difficult divides over Israel. They also explore Mike Collins’ strategy of mobilizing Trump-aligned voters, the political fallout from the Iran war and what Democrats are doing differently this cycle.

Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Polit...

Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy break down the first and likely only gubernatorial debate between Republican Rick Jackson and Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, including Jackson’s shift away from Donald Trump and repeated embrace of Gov. Brian Kemp. They examine the candidates’ clashes over data centers, election security and their records, along with Bottoms’ effort to make trust a central issue in the race. Greg and Patricia also preview the first Senate debate between Jon Ossoff and Mike Collins and what each candidate faces heading into the matchup.
Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text t...

Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy break down the first and likely only gubernatorial debate between Republican Rick Jackson and Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, including Jackson’s shift away from Donald Trump and repeated embrace of Gov. Brian Kemp. They examine the candidates’ clashes over data centers, election security and their records, along with Bottoms’ effort to make trust a central issue in the race. Greg and Patricia also preview the first Senate debate between Jon Ossoff and Mike Collins and what each candidate faces heading into the matchup.
Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text t...

Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy sit down with Eric Tanenblatt, former chief of staff to Gov. Sonny Perdue, for Georgia’s Choice, the AJC’s weekly election series. Tanenblatt explains how a governor’s power depends on relationships with lawmakers, control over appointments and the state budget, and the limits of executive orders. He also weighs the governing challenges facing Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson, including how each would navigate a Republican-controlled legislature and pursue major policy priorities.

Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline...

Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy are joined by Gov. Brian Kemp senior political adviser Cody Hall to assess the final stretch of Georgia’s midterm campaigns. Cody explains why he believes the governor’s debate could matter, what Rick Jackson needs to accomplish against Keisha Lance Bottoms and the challenge Mike Collins faces against Sen. Jon Ossoff. He also says Georgia Republicans are facing the most difficult political environment he has seen and discusses Kemp’s role in helping the GOP ticket, the fight for the state House and what could come next for the governor.    

Have a ques...

Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell examine Rick Jackson’s limited interviews and debate participation, along with Mike Collins’ ads targeting Jon Ossoff and questions about his Social Security remarks. They discuss the dismissal of a federal lawsuit seeking Georgia’s sensitive voter data and a Senate hearing’s mix-up over the Atlanta Hawks and Iowa Hawkeyes. Greg and Tia also clarify Keisha Lance Bottoms’ grocery tax proposal and compare the candidates’ plans for Georgia farmers.

Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll...

Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy examine the political fallout over a Texas data center project linked to Georgia Republican gubernatorial nominee Rick Jackson, as residents raise concerns about transparency, environmental impacts and local control. They weigh the promised economic benefits against questions about community input and how the dispute is shaping Georgia’s governor’s race. Then, Tia Mitchell reports from the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s annual legislative conference, where newly sworn-in Rep. Everton Blair Jr. was playing a new role this year. Greg and Tia discuss Blair’s plans to support other candidates, Jasmine Clark’s preparations to enter C...

Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy examine how Georgia’s next governor could shape immigration enforcement and public education with AJC reporters Lautaro Grinspan and Martha Dalton. Grinspan explains how state and local cooperation with ICE affects enforcement in Georgia, where Rick Jackson and Keisha Lance Bottoms differ on immigration, and how detention policies could affect immigrant workers and the state’s economy. Dalton breaks down the candidates’ competing education proposals, from universal pre-K and higher teacher pay to literacy initiatives and property tax cuts, and explains the funding and legislative hurdles each would face.

Have a...

Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy examine the growing influence of metro Atlanta on Georgia politics and what that could mean for rural communities and policy priorities. They also sit down with Atlanta News First political reporter Doug Reardon to preview the upcoming debates between Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson and between Jon Ossoff and Mike Collins. Reardon explains how the gubernatorial town hall will put voters directly in the spotlight and what he’ll be watching when the Senate candidates face off. Plus: what the debates could reveal about the candidates beyond their carefully crafted campaign messages.

...

Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy tackle listener questions about the closely watched governor’s race, including the stark spending gap between Rick Jackson and Keisha Lance Bottoms and the possibility of split-ticket voting. They also dig into the Republican debate over whether to keep investing in Mike Collins’ Senate campaign as national groups shift resources elsewhere. Plus, they answer questions about Cobb County school board politics, the impact of ICE detentions on Georgia’s foster care system and when to expect the next AJC-UGA poll.

Have a question or comment for the show? Call or tex...

Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy sit down with Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson to discuss Keisha Lance Bottoms’ campaign for governor, including the debate over her record as Atlanta mayor and the Republican effort to draw split-ticket voters. Johnson also weighs the candidates’ competing approaches to data centers, Medicaid expansion and the governor’s relationship with a Republican-controlled Legislature. He discusses the Democrats’ “whole ballot energy” strategy and the different ways Rick Jackson and Mike Collins are aligning themselves with Donald Trump.

Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically...

Georgia’s Choice examines the competing affordability plans in the governor’s race, from Rick Jackson’s push to cut state income and local property taxes to Keisha Lance Bottoms’ targeted tax breaks for teachers, groceries and other essentials. AJC budget reporter David Wickert breaks down how the proposals would affect state and local revenues and what trade-offs could be required to pay for them. The discussion also looks at the state’s shrinking budget cushion and what the candidates’ plans could mean for government services.

Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour...

Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell dig into Tia’s interview with former gubernatorial candidate Jason Carter, who weighs Donald Trump’s role in Georgia’s midterm races and the challenges facing Keisha Lance Bottoms. They also examine Carter’s defense of Jon Ossoff and why he thinks that Ossoff is focused on the Senate race, not a presidential bid. Carter also discusses his wife Kate’s recovery and his work with the Carter Center on nonpartisan election observation.

Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’...

Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell answer listener questions about Georgia’s November ballot measures, the huge fundraising gap in the governor’s race and what the latest mail-in ballot rules mean for voters. With Producer ShaneyB, they dig into the candidates’ records on data centers, the ongoing fight over Brad Raffensperger’s place in the Georgia GOP and which congressional races are drawing attention. They also weigh what Buddy Carter may be considering for his political future and why most Georgia congressional races remain safely partisan.

Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text t...

Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy sit down with Attorney General Chris Carr to assess Georgia’s 2026 political landscape, including the Republican Party’s approach to independent voters and the governor’s and Senate races. Carr also weighs in on license plate readers, criminal justice reform and his work on a $17 billion settlement with Meta over social media and children. He discusses the need for state and federal rules around artificial intelligence and explains why he declined to join a lawsuit over changes to mail-in voting. Carr also talks about what could come next after his term as attorney general ends.<...

Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy dig into the competing health care plans from Georgia’s two gubernatorial nominees with veteran health care reporter Ariel Hart. They examine Keisha Lance Bottoms’ push for full Medicaid expansion, Rick Jackson’s proposed “intelligent Medicaid expansion,” and the questions surrounding how either plan could work. Hart also weighs the strain on rural hospitals, the loss of ACA coverage and what the next governor can realistically change.

Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and...

Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy dig into the contrasting strategies shaping Georgia’s Senate and governor’s races. Ossoff is stepping up attacks on Mike Collins while courting Republicans, as Collins continues to lean into his ties to Donald Trump. Greg and Patricia also dive into the intensifying fight between Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson over healthcare, state contracts and the rapid growth of data centers.

Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer...

Greg Bluestein and Washington Bureau Chief Tia Mitchell answer listener questions about the Republican midterm convention in Dallas and what Mike Collins’ attacks on Jon Ossoff reveal about his campaign. They also dig into the level of national Republican investment in Georgia, the continued deployment of Georgia National Guard troops to Washington, uncertainty over mail-in voting rules, and the push for new guardrails on Flock cameras. Mitchell also weighs how Keisha Lance Bottoms’ Atlanta mayoral legacy compares with Kasim Reed’s.

Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politi...

Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy dig into the competing strategies shaping Georgia’s Republican ticket, with Mike Collins leaning into Donald Trump and Rick Jackson targeting voters who backed Brian Kemp and other Republicans in recent elections. They weigh what a strong Jon Ossoff showing could mean for Keisha Lance Bottoms and the rest of the Democratic ticket as Bottoms works to overcome Jackson’s massive financial advantage. They also examine why the spouses of the four marquee candidates have largely stayed off the campaign trail and what that says about changing expectations, family priorities and the risks of mode...

Greg Bluestein talks with Democratic state congressional nominee Tony Kozycki about immigration, including his call for secure borders alongside due process and changes to the legal immigration system. Kozycki explains how the Laken Riley act has impacted immigration enforcement, and how his experience as an immigration attorney shaped his campaign in a deeply Republican district. Then, Tia Mitchell joins Greg to talk with newly sworn-in Rep. Everton Blair about his short tenure in Congress, voting rights, affordability and what he wants Democrats to do differently in Washington. Blair discusses his historic place in Georgia politics and his plans to...