On today's Political Breakfast, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is the clear frontrunner in the Democratic Primary for Georgia Governor. The left-leaning Public Policy Polling group surveyed 620 likely Democratic primary voters earlier this month, and found Bottoms is leading by 38 percent. That's while Michael Thurmond got 12 percent, Geoff Duncan 9 percent, Jason Esteves 4 percent, Derrick Jackson 2 percent, and Olu Brown 1 percent. 36 percent of respondents said they were undecided. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson discuss the importance of name recognition and Bottoms' past decisions leading Atlanta, with host Lisa Rayam. Plus, a quick look at the State Senate special election runoff results. Republican Jason Dickerson defeated nationally-backed Democrat Debra Shigley in a special election runoff See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's Political Breakfast, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam focus on the Tuesday State Sen. special election runoff. That's in deep-red District 21, that covers parts of northern Fulton and Cherokee Counties. It's getting national attention, as Democratic National Convention Chair Ken Martin is in Georgia campaigning for Democratic candidate Debra Shigley. Shigley is running to replace Brandon Beach, who resigned to join the Trump Administration. Voters will decide between Shigley and Republican Jason Dickerson. Is the GOP nervous? Shigley won 40 percent of the district's votes back in August. Plus, will the candidates running for Georgia Governor ever escape the shadows of the 2020 presidential election? Nearly six years later, what transpired between Georgia leaders and now-President Donald Trump is still on voter's minds.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In the final episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali, along with producer Brendan Rivers, discuss the last four unprecedented years in Georgia politics. Plus, a preview of what the WABE newsroom will be keeping an eye on over the coming months.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The pool of candidates running for Georgia Governor has grown by three this week alone. Former Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, now a Democrat, jumped in the race, along with Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Then came the lesser known businessman and board chair of the YMCA of metro Atlanta, Clark Dean. That's who strategists Tharon Johnson and Brian Robinson wanted to talk about with host Lisa Rayam. Plus, the team discusses the hundreds detained in an immigration raid at the multi-billion dollar Hyundai electric vehicle plant. More than 300 workers are now back in South Korea. The raid at the factory just outside Savannah was described as the largest immigration enforcement operation carried out at a single location by the United States Department of Homeland Security in its history. It now puts Georgia Republicans like Governor Brian Kemp in an awkward position. He spent years building relationships with South Korean companies to grow Georgia's economy. The raid alarmed South Korean leaders and also raised concerns about foreign companies investing in the United States in the future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this week's Political Breakfast, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam discuss the "amplified discussions" surrounding the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk that are taking place online and around the coffee table. Plus, a look back at political violence and its consequences throughout American history. The team also talks about Atlanta Centers for Disease Control and Prevention workers returning to the office after working from home for nearly a month. Many say they are still traumatized after a gunman shot-up the Atlanta campus, killing a DeKalb County police officer. Are they returning too soon?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Georgia Republicans spent years building ties with companies in South Korea, culminating with Hyundai building a multi-billion dollar electric vehicle plant outside of Savannah. But last week, a battery factory at the site was raided by federal immigration agents, who detained more than 300 South Korean citizens. On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali take a closer look at the ongoing fallout from the Hyundai raid. Plus, WABE Immigration Reporter Emily Wu Pearson takes listeners to a federal immigration detention facility in Georgia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's Political Breakfast, strategists Brian Robinson and Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam reflect on the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The controversial debater and podcast host was fatally shot Wednesday at Utah Valley University. Thousands showed up to Kirk's first fall 2025 college event, which was set to kick-off a national tour. Kirk is credited with mobilizing young Republicans to the polls. He made stops in Georgia in the past, including at UGA last October. Georgia lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are condemning the violence. Plus, this week Atlanta is honoring a 21-year veteran DeKalb County firefighter, who died battling a commercial fire in Lithonia. Preston Fant was trapped after trying to rescue another firefighter, as they worked to put out flames in a film studio warehouse.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On today's Political Breakfast, host Lisa Rayam broadcasts live with Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson to give the rundown on Raffensperger. The Secretary of State has not officially announced a campaign for the Georgia Governor's race in 2026, and is also rumored to be exploring a run for U.S. Senate. But the Republican is not universally supported within the Georgia GOP. In June of 2025, GOP convention delegates passed a resolution to prevent him from qualifying as a Republican candidate, even though its legal legitimacy has been questioned. Raffensperger also faced opposition from President Donald Trump, but survived those political attacks. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Earlier this year, state lawmakers created a new process for compensating Georgians who have been wrongfully convicted and jailed. On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali take listeners inside some of the first hearings, where judges and lawyers are trying to navigate a new process somewhat on the fly. Plus, Governor Brian Kemp has officially endorsed his pick to take on U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff next year and lawmakers mark one year since the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp finally did it! He endorsed Republican Derek Dooley for a run for United States Senate. Dooley's name is popular but the man himself is considered "an outsider" ; "a newcomer" to Georgia politics. Kemp hopes that will be the draw to topple the Democratic incumbent, Senator Jon Ossoff. Strategists Brian Robinson and Tharon Johnson along with host Lisa Rayam talk about the "Kemp Factor" and contemplate if it is powerful enough to silence Dooley's GOP contenders--U.S Representatives Buddy Carter and Mike Collins. Also, the team talks about the candidates running for Georgia Attorney General.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The Trump administration is looking to fire two top federal officials with Atlanta ties that would likely have national implications. On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali discuss moves to fire a Georgia-born Federal Reserve Governor and the director of the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Plus, Governor Brian Kemp has dispatched the national guard to help with immigration enforcement as President Donald Trump deploys guardsmen on the streets of Washington, D.C. and we take a look at why a judge is holding the Fulton County Commission in contempt of court.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this week's Political Breakfast, the gang taps into rumors of former Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, who recently converted to the Democratic Party, running for Georgia Governor. The 2026 race is crowded and competitive on both sides of the aisle. Plus, Gabe Sterling, one of the faces of Georgia's Secretary of State's office, is stepping down from his position as Chief Operating Officer. Does he have his eyes set on somewhere else? Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson, and host Lisa Rayam also commemorate the 20-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which drove and estimated 100 thousand evacuees to Georgia. Many stayed and continued to live in metro Atlanta. The city also honored the 62nd anniversary of the March on Washington over the weekend. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Two national figures made stops in Georgia this week to test out political messaging for the 2026 elections. Meanwhile, four major U.S. Senate candidates all gathered in one room. On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Rahul Bali and Brendan Rivers discuss the early start to the campaign season. Plus, Fulton County Commissioners defy a judge’s order and could face jail time and a Georgian who rose to national prominence during the 2020 election considers running for Secretary of State.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This week Atlanta is paying final respects to DeKalb County Officer David Rose, who was killed during a shooting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier this month. Authorities say Patrick Joseph White targeted the CDC, and blamed the COVID-19 vaccine for his mental health issues. He died by suicide after firing roughly 500 shots at CDC buildings. The union representing CDC workers warns about the continued spread of vaccine disinformation, especially by leaders like Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. They say the violence is a result of the vilification of government employees, fueled by the Trump Administration. Republican strategist Brian Robinson, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, and host Lisa Rayam break down all of this. Plus, both Tharon and Brian agree: As candidates for Georgia Governor like Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Attorney General Chris Carr show their allegiance to Trump, one new name could shake things up. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger may soon jump into the race. Raffensperger defied Trump in 2020 as the president allegedly conspired to overturn Georgia's election results.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Employees at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been left shaken after a man fired hundreds of bullets at the Atlanta headquarters and killed a police officer. On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” WABE Criminal Justice Reporter Chamain Cruz and WABE Health Reporter Jess Mador join hosts Rahul Bali, Sam Gringlas and Brendan Rivers with an update on the investigation and how the shooting is the latest example of increasing threats, and sometimes violence, directed at public officials and institutions. Plus, more candidates jump into Georgia’s 2026 statewide races.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this week's Political Breakfast, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam react to former DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond's long-awaited campaign launch for the Democratic primary in the Georgia Governor's race. One question being addressed: Will a more moderate Thurmond be able to bring Democrats together at a time when what unites most is just hating President Donald Trump? Plus, the legal drama brewing between the gubernatorial candidates. Attorney General Chris Carr sues Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. Meantime, Jones nabs a critical endorsement from President Trump.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Former President and Georgia native Jimmy Carter created the U.S. Department of Education and the Federal Emergency Management Agency back in 1979. But now President Donald Trump is calling for these two departments, among others, to be dismantled. On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali look at how debates over the shape of the federal government during Carter’s time can shed light on what’s happening today. Plus, a look at bathroom parity at the State Capitol, off-schedule redistricting appears to be off the table for Georgia Republicans, an update on drama over appointments to the Fulton County Board of Elections and census data suggests that Metro Atlanta’s population boom may be slowing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
It's official: Derek Dooley is the latest Republican to jump into the race to eventually challenge incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff. The former University of Tennessee football coach joined the GOP primary and announced his campaign in a video that honored his late father, the legendary University of Georgia football coach Vince Dooley. Republican strategist Brian Robinson, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam agree: there's power in the Dooley name. But the endorsements are also rolling in for U.S. Rep. Mike Collins. Plus, Republican Janelle King sits on the State Election Board. Her husband, Kelvin King, is running for Secretary of State. Both are part of the Black Voices for Trump Coalition and have been critical of the current office and its handling of Georgia's elections. But King says she won’t surrender her position just because her husband is running, citing there’s no legal obligation for her to do so. If he wins, “that’s a different discussion,” she said.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Last week there was speculation that U.S. Rep. Mike Collins was going to jump into the Georgia Senate race for the Republican nomination. The Trump ally made it official on Monday, and set the stage for an even more competitive primary. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson join host Lisa Rayam to discuss this on this week's live edition of Political Breakfast. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In 2021, the Stone Mountain Memorial Association agreed to install an exhibit about the park's history, including Ku Klux Klan cross-burnings. Construction for the new exhibit is underway, but the Georgia Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans is suing to stop it. On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali discuss how the Confederate group is using a state law to challenge the planned exhibit, which aims to tell a broader story about Stone Mountain. Plus, we take a look at a new committee reviewing Georgia election laws and catch up on the investigation into a lending firm whose founder is a big donor in Georgia Republican politics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Daniel Barnes
Brian: Who was the REAL victim here? White men.
Daniel Barnes
the irony of forcing students to wear masks to prevent spread in schools, but not EVERYONE when they are out and about, is grating. Force the kids to do it! it's common sense! But dont force adults to do it! What?!