Political Breakfast with Denis O’Hayer

This week WABE presents a special edition of Political Breakfast, broadcasting from the iconic Atlanta meet-up spot, Manuel's Tavern. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson joined host Lisa Rayam to do a wrap-up of the month's top political stories in Georgia: just a few days ahead of Election Day on November 4th. Some background: Manuel's opened decades ago, and was run by Atlanta's own fiery politician Manuel Maloof. It's a well-known watering hole where folks from both sides of the aisle have always sat together, enjoyed a beer or burger, and talked. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Political Breakfast, we discuss the specter of the No Kings Protest in Atlanta. Thousands turned out and actually PEACEFULLY protested Trump-era politics. Many high-profile speakers addressed enthusiastic crowds. One in particular was two-time Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams. She's been quiet lately. Does her taking the podium signal she's ready to take on the political spotlight again? Executive Director of the Atlanta Civic Circle Saba Long, who is in for Democratic Strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican Strategist Brian Robinson, shared their thoughts with host Lisa Rayam See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two Republicans who sit on Georgia's Public Service Commission -- Tim Echols of District 2 and Fitz Johnson of District 3 — are being challenged by Democratic candidates Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard. It's a race that has gone under the radar: until now. All five seats are currently held by Republicans. So Democrats are stumping loudly about utility affordability Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson stress with host Lisa Rayam how voters need to pay attention: and turn out for race that ultimately affects their households.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Democrat-turned-Republican state Rep. Vernon Jones, who crowd-surfed at Georgia Trump rally, announced Monday he's running for the job of Georgia's chief elections officer. Jones joins a growing and competitive pool of candidates for Georgia Secretary of State. That includes former state elections official, Gabriel Sterling, who took a ton of heat in 2020 from Donald Trump and rebuked Trump's claims the 2020 presidential election results were rigged. Host Lisa Rayam, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson debate if Jones has a chance to compete.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's Political Breakfast: Republican candidates are beefing-up their war chests in hopes the money will talk enough to help unseat Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff next year. Ossoff's campaign reports he has 21 million in the bank. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson discuss the numbers that are rolling in from his GOP opponents with host Lisa Rayam. Political outsider Derek Dooley announced Monday that he's raised nearly 2 million in his first stretch of the race. He's also got the endorsement of Governor Brian Kemp. Another GOP opponent, Congressman Mike Collins, went head-to-head with Dooley and said he's also raised $1.9 million, and that he is transferring another million from his congressional account. The final candidate, Congressman Buddy Carter, has not yet posted. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Political Breakfast, it's week two of the federal government shutdown, and that's taking a toll on workers who are going without pay at the world's busiest airport in Atlanta. Many are already living paycheck to paycheck. Now: half a paycheck to half a paycheck, thanks to the stall in Washington. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam discuss how this is becoming more entangled in Georgia, and national politics. Plus, we hear from a local union representative for TSA workers, Aaron Barker. If the shutdown lags on, could this become a national security issue?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week WABE presents a special edition of Political Breakfast, broadcasting from the iconic Atlanta meet-up spot, Manuel's Tavern. Opened decades ago by Atlanta's own fiery politician Manuel Maloof, it's well-known watering hole where folks from both sides of the aisle have always sat together, enjoyed a beer or burger, and talked. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson joined host Lisa Rayam to do a wrap-up of the month's top political stories in Georgia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

On this edition of Political Breakfast, Republican strategist Brian Robinson, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam talk about the Republicans who are "hinting" about jumping into two key Georgia races: The race for Governor and a U.S. Senate seat. It's all talk at this point for U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Mike Collins. But why?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Political Breakfast, the team talks about an ethics complaint filed by Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr against his GOP opponent, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, after Jones loaned his own campaign ten million dollars. The conversation took place just hours before the State Ethics Commission rejected Carr's complaint based on the fact there was not enough cause to investigate. Then, strategists Brian Robinson, Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam sort through the importance of the "very sleepy" Public Service Commission Democratic runoff race that was settled last week and what it means for Georgia in 2026.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tariffs have become a hallmark of President Donald Trump’s second term, but the on-again, off-again taxes on imports have led to uncertainty in the economy. On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali speak with WABE Business Reporter Marlon Hyde about Trump’s trade policies and how they’re impacting Georgia businesses and consumers. Plus, a conversation with Lt. Governor Burt Jones, who has announced that he’s running for governor.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is talking tough on the campaign trail. Recently in Savannah, he called out the Trump administration for its handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files. Ossoff also lashed out at Trump for his so-called 'big, beautiful bill.' Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson join host Lisa Rayam to dissect all this. Plus, prominent Georgia Republican Brant Frost IV is apologizing for his $140M Ponzi scheme, and a federal judge ordered his assets frozen. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's edition of Political Breakfast, Georgia's Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones wants in on the 2026 gubernatorial race. Jones kicked-off his campaign for Georgia Governor in grand style and to the tune of 10 million dollars. Jones loaned himself the money and made a pretty bold statement in doing so. Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson discuss this strategic move along with host Lisa Rayam. The team also discusses how money is paramount overall.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Congress has narrowly approved President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill, with most Republicans voting in favor and every Democrat opposed. Under the law, which includes $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, about 300,000 Georgians could lose health coverage, tax incentives for clean energy will be cut and states like Georgia may end up having to shoulder more of the costs associated with food stamps. On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali speak with WABE Health Reporter Jess Mador and WABE Digital Editor MeiMei Xu about how Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” will affect Georgia now that it’s law.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's Political Breakfast: Campaign fundraising is ramping-up. Strategists Tharon Johnson and Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam tackle the latest numbers in the 2026 Georgia Governor's race. On the Democratic side, Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, and state Senator Jason Esteves have surpassed the 1 million mark over roughly 2 months since both entered the race. For the GOP: Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones has loaned himself 10 million dollars while Republican Attorney General Chris Carr has raised more than 3-point-5 million since annoucing his bid in November. Do these numbers translate into the most competitive candidates? Plus, low voter turnout in the Democratic runoff for the Georgia Public Service Commission race. Brian and Tharon share why YOU should care.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

President Donald Trump just signed his so-called 'big, beautiful' massive tax and spending bill over the July 4th holiday weekend. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam react to the latest. Plus, Georgia Republican U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter wrote on X on Sunday that his granddaughters are safe after attending a summer camp in Central Texas that flooded over the weekend -- but one of their cousins has died.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week’s special Independence Day encore episode of “Plugged In: A WABE Politics Podcast,” politics reporter Sam Gringlas takes listeners on a summer road trip to a pair of towns that helped shape former presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Georgia’s own Jimmy Carter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's Political Breakfast, Republicans are mostly a united front and in support of President Donald Trump's so-called 'big, beautiful' massive tax and spending bill. Georgia Democrats say there's nothing beautiful about it, claming the bill will strip away people's healthcare and increase poverty while creating tax breaks for the rich. Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam react to the latest as lawmakers debate the bill in the U.S. House. Trump says he wants to sign the bill by the July 4th holiday. It's sweeping tax cuts are estimated to add trillions more to the national debt. It also boosts spending on border security and defense, makes massive cuts to programs like Medicaid and shifts more responsibility for food assistance to the states. It would also slash clean energy tax credits created by the Inflation Reduction Act, that helped propel solar and electric vehicle manufacturing in Georgia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's Political Breakfast, we react to news from the AJC that Geoff Duncan may be running in the 2026 Georgia Governor's race as a Democrat. Duncan, now an official outcast after Georgia GOP leaders expelled him from the party, has long expressed frustration with President Donald Trump and those who support his administration. But strategists Brian Robinson, Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam wonder: Is the party willing to accept him? Or has Duncan fallen off the radar? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A massive solar panel recycling facility called Solarcycle is coming soon to Cedartown, a small community in Northwest Georgia near the Alabama border. Solarcycle got a $64 million tax credit through the Inflation Reduction Act to build a second facility that will make solar panel glass, but according to the company, the groundbreaking is on hold as Congress considers gutting the clean energy tax credits in the new federal budget. On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali look at what this could mean for Cedartown and Georgia’s flourishing industries making electric vehicles, batteries and solar panels. Plus, how the conflict between Israel and Iran is exposing divisions among Georgia Republicans and a look at the fall of the in-person campaign launch.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's Political Breakfast, the gang addresses the latest in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. Israel and Iran continued to trade attacks over the weekend, with U.S. officials saying both have violated a recent cease fire. U.S. bombs destroyed three nuclear sites in Iran, according to President Donald Trump. Republican strategist Brian Robinson, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam bring it home to Georgia -- where one of Trump's most fierce supporters, GOP Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, criticized the move. Plus, supporters of Georgia Republican Attorney General Chris Carr released an attack ad against his potential opponent in the 2026 gubernatorial race: Lt. Gov. Burt Jones.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Georgia Governor Nathan Deal drew national attention in 2016 when he vetoed a religious liberty bill that opponents said would lead to discrimination against LGBTQ people. When a similar measure passed again this year, Governor Brian Kemp quickly signed it into law. On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali discuss what’s changed over the past decade with WABE's Patrick Saunders, who has been leading WABE’s annual Beyond Pride series, which takes a close look at LGBTQ issues in Georgia. Plus, Georgia Republicans and Democrats are charting the future of their parties as state lawmakers grapple with a heated political climate following the assassination of Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Political Breakfast went live this week, as Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam react to thousands flooding the streets of Atlanta for 'No Kings' protests, part of broader demonstrations across the nation. They happened the same day as a military parade in Washington for the Army's 250th Anniversary -- which also coincided with President Donald Trump's 79th birthday. Congressional Democrats and some Republicans have slammed the roughly $45 million dollar cost of the parade. Plus, primary elections for two seats on the Georgia Public Service Commission are today. The PSC regulates utilities, including Georgia Power rate increases and how the company generates electricity. Could Democrats gain control? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.