Politically Georgia

The World Series is stage is so big, politics is also playing a role. In this week’s Politically Georgia Podcast, our AJC political insiders Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy discuss how Gov. Brian Kemp is using Atlanta’s World Series appearance to his advantage. Plus, why a major battle could be brewing for Gov. Kemp’s job next year and finally how Herschel Walker’s opponents are bringing up his past domestic abuse allegations. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Democrats fail to get a debate going on the voting rights bill in the Senate. Our political insiders Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell look at what that means going forward, how it will affect other legislature President Biden is trying to pass and will they remove the filibuster to do it. Plus, how Herschel Walker is going against Donald Trump for the first time and why it’s a risky move. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s a special edition of the Politically Georgia Podcast. AJC political insider Greg Bluestein is joined by city hall reporters Wilborn P. Nobles III and J.D. Capelouto to continue our in-depth coverage of the Race for City Hall. In this episode we look at what has really mattered from an onslaught of mayoral debates in the last week. Why Kasim Reed and Felicia Moore are starting to separate themselves and what to the other candidates need to do to pick off undecided voters. We also dig into what our journalists found asking residents of seven Atlanta neighborhoods what they want from the next mayor. Finally why this is considered silly season in the campaign.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The AJC’s political insiders Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy have been around the state (and other states) this week to make sure you know what’s really going on. In this episode, we preview former President Donald Trump’s rally in Perry to support senate candidate Herschel Walker and others. Plus what Stacy Abrams is saying about her political future as she starts her nationwide tour. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Greg Bluestein is joined by Patricia Murphy to break down the early tone of Georgia’s legislative session, as lawmakers shift their focus toward affordability and major tax proposals instead of the culture-war battles that have dominated recent years. They examine Governor Brian Kemp’s emerging agenda, including billions in transportation spending and a surprise push to address homelessness, and why Republicans say rising costs are now impossible to ignore. Patricia then shares her recorded interview with Senate Majority Leader Jason Anavitarte, who outlines his priorities for the session, including competing plans to cut income and property taxes. Anavitarte also addresses the unusually crowded field of lawmakers running for higher office, the race to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene, and why he believes the Senate can keep order during a high-stakes election year. 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 it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Bluestein is joined by AJC Washington bureau chief Tia Mitchell to break down the high-stakes fight over expiring Affordable Care Act subsidies and what it could mean for hundreds of thousands of Georgians facing higher premiums or losing coverage altogether. They examine how the issue is shaping campaign messaging, why some Republicans broke ranks in the House, and how health care is emerging as a central political fault line ahead of the 2026 elections. The conversation then turns to the crowded race to replace Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, as qualifying closes and more than a dozen candidates jump into overlapping special elections and primaries. 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 it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Greg Bluestein is joined by Patricia Murphy as Georgia’s 2026 legislative session gets underway. They break down the mood inside the Capitol on opening day, lingering tensions between the House and Senate after last year’s abrupt finish, and how a crowded field of lawmakers running for higher office is shaping the dynamics from the start. 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 it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Georgia’s 2026 legislative session begins, host Greg Bluestein is joined by Patricia Murphy to preview the fights and priorities lawmakers will tackle under the Gold Dome. Patricia shares highlights from her one-on-one interview with House Speaker Jon Burns, recorded at his home in rural Newington, where he outlines his focus on affordability, literacy, and property tax relief. The hosts break down the emerging tension between House and Senate leaders over competing tax plans, the political stakes of a major election year, and why Republicans are showing unusual anxiety heading into the session. 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 it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Greg Bluestein is joined by AJC Washington bureau chief Tia Mitchell to break down the political aftershocks from the fifth anniversary of the January 6 attack, including testimony from former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan and its impact on Georgia’s governor’s race. They examine how 2020 election claims continue to influence GOP politics, particularly as candidates like Bert Jones and Duncan stake out sharply different paths. Then, Tia walks through a new ethics investigation involving a top aide to Rep. Mike Collins, what it could mean for Georgia’s U.S. Senate race, and why such probes can linger for years. The episode also looks ahead to looming government funding deadlines, the stalled fight over health care subsidies, Marjorie Taylor Greene’s exit from Congress, and early signs of how the 2026 races are beginning to take shape. 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 it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Greg Bluestein is joined by AJC Atlanta City Hall reporter Riley Bunch to break down Mayor Andre Dickens’ second term as he begins his final years in office. They examine how Dickens enters with a stronger political position, fewer organized opponents, and an ambitious agenda, while looking ahead to the challenges facing City Hall, from shrinking federal support to major redevelopment plans and preparations for the 2026 World Cup. 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 it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy, and Tia Mitchell break down the political shockwaves from Marjorie Taylor Greene’s decision to step away from Congress and publicly split with former President Donald Trump. They explore what her resignation says about fractures within the MAGA movement, whether her populist message could still resonate with Georgia voters, and why her next political move remains an open question. Then the conversation widens to Georgia’s reaction to a dramatic U.S. military operation in Venezuela, as the hosts examine how Republican leaders are rallying behind Trump while Democrats and some voters raise concerns about oversight, foreign intervention, and the growing gap between campaign promises and governing reality. 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 it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy kick off the new year by laying out the biggest questions that will shape Georgia politics in 2026. They examine whether Democrats can sustain recent momentum, how closely Republicans will continue to align with Donald Trump, and what early polling says about the governor’s race. The hosts also dig into the crowded Senate contest, Governor Brian Kemp’s final year in office and future ambitions, Marjorie Taylor Greene’s next chapter, and the issues most likely to surprise lawmakers when the legislative session begins, including the growing backlash over 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 it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy look back at the questions they thought would define Georgia politics in 2025 and how events actually unfolded. They examine Donald Trump’s renewed influence on the state, from federal policy shifts to actions at the Capitol, and the political fallout from the collapse of the Fulton County election interference case. The episode also looks ahead to 2026, including Governor Brian Kemp’s decision not to run for U.S. Senate, the crowded Republican field that followed, and why Democrats see new opportunities heading into the next election cycle. 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 it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy dig into the growing use of AI-generated political ads in Georgia, including concerns that the technology could mislead voters as the 2026 campaign cycle ramps up. They explain why state lawmakers want clearer disclosure rules, how those efforts could clash with federal law, and why both parties expect AI to become a permanent feature of modern campaigning. In the second segment, the hosts turn to Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and scrutiny surrounding campaign funding as he runs for governor. They discuss how candidates are building war chests early, what fundraising signals about the race ahead, and why money could be one of the defining factors in Georgia’s crowded 2026 field. 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 it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the one-year mark since President Jimmy Carter’s death, hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy reflect on Carter’s lasting legacy in his hometown of Plains and what it means for Georgia today. Patricia shares voices from the community that helped shape Carter’s life and values, offering a portrait of how the small town continues to carry his example forward. Then they turn to the 2026 campaign trail, as Patricia takes listeners inside her reporting with two Democratic candidates for governor. Through conversations in Columbus and beyond, she explores how candidates Jason Esteves and Michael Thurmond are grounding their campaigns in personal stories, economic pressures, and appeals to hope as Georgia’s next political chapter begins. 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 it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell examine the deepening divide over health care as enhanced Affordable Care Act subsidies expire, threatening steep premium increases for more than one million Georgians. They break down why Congress failed to act, the political risks for both parties, and how health care affordability is shaping the 2026 election landscape. 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 it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell examine how Donald Trump continues to loom over Georgia politics, from congressional battles in Washington to the early maneuvering for the state’s 2026 elections. They break down how Trump’s influence is shaping Republican strategy, complicating policy debates like health care and government funding, and forcing Democrats to calibrate their messaging in a deeply divided state. 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 it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy break down the explosive testimony from Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis before a newly formed Georgia Senate investigative committee. They describe a tense, highly political hearing marked by sharp exchanges, questions about her handling of the Trump election interference case, and clear ambitions from Republican lawmakers eyeing higher office. The hosts also examine what the testimony means for Willis’ future, how lawmakers could still try to rein in local prosecutors, and why the fight over her conduct is far from over even as the underlying case is effectively dead. 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 it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Greg Bluestein is joined by Georgia Insurance Commissioner John King, who warns Republicans are at risk of falling behind after recent Democratic victories and urges the party to sharpen its message on affordability, insurance costs, and voter engagement ahead of 2026. Then, Georgia Republican Party Chair Josh McKoon joins Greg to assess what went wrong in recent elections, defend the party’s record on the economy, and lay out the GOP’s strategy for holding the Senate seat currently held by Jon Ossoff. 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 it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy are joined by Rep.-elect Eric Gisler, who explains how Democrats flipped a northeast Georgia House seat by focusing on affordability, health care access, and voter fatigue with partisan extremes. In the second segment, Georgia Democratic Party chair Charlie Bailey joins the show to discuss what the victory means for 2026, how Democrats plan to compete in traditionally Republican territory, and why party leaders believe recent wins point to a broader opening heading into a pivotal election year. 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 it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices