Politically Georgia

Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell answer listener questions on the surge of anonymous attack ads targeting Burt Jones and the speculation surrounding who is funding them. They also break down the increasingly unpredictable lieutenant governor's race, including Nabila Islam Parks' late entry and the fallout inside Democratic circles. Greg and Tia examine the Democratic primary for governor, where Keisha Lance Bottoms appears to have an early edge, and why rivals are targeting each other instead. Plus, they discuss Georgia's nonstop election cycle, the state's battleground status, and the impact of the partial government shutdown on Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. 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 break down the rapidly intensifying Republican primary for Georgia governor, where billionaire Rick Jackson's massive ad spending has triggered a bitter clash with Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. They discuss how the attacks, lawsuits and legislative maneuvers are reshaping the GOP contest while sidelining other candidates such as Brad Raffensperger and Chris Carr. Then they turn to the Democratic primary, where former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms leads early polls as rivals focus on battling each other for a runoff spot. Along the way, Greg and Patricia explore how strategy, money and messaging are shaping both parties' paths to November. 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 look at how national politics is playing out in Georgia. They start in northwest Georgia's 14th Congressional District, where Democrats are testing whether a coalition candidate like Shawn Harris can compete in one of the reddest corners of the state after a rally featuring former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg. Then they turn to the partial federal government shutdown and the growing strain on TSA workers in Atlanta who are still required to work while missing paychecks. 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 presents an interview he and Patricia Murphy recorded with Republican Senate candidate Derek Dooley about his new “Georgia First” campaign contract. Dooley outlines proposals including term limits, a ban on congressional stock trading, and a pledge to forgo pay during government shutdowns. He also discusses Trump's tariff strategy, the conflict with Iran, and his support for the SAVE Act and stricter immigration enforcement. 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 Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell to answer listener questions about Georgia politics. They explain the residency rules for candidates seeking office and why members of Congress do not have to live inside the districts they represent. Greg, Patricia and Tia also break down what Crossover Day really means at the Capitol and which proposals, including sports betting, appear stalled for the year. They also discuss the early advertising advantage in the governor's race, where wealthy Republican Rick Jackson is dominating the airwaves while cash-strapped Democrats hold back their limited campaign funds. 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 hosts alongside Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell to break down the results of the special election to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene in Georgia's 14th Congressional District. Democrat Sean Harris and Republican Clay Fuller are headed to a runoff after a crowded field and a bitter fight inside the GOP helped sideline hard-right candidate Colton Moore. They explain why Republican leaders quietly worked to consolidate support behind Fuller and what Moore's defeat says about divisions within the party. 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, Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell break down what survived Crossover Day at the Georgia Capitol and what likely died for the year. They discuss a scaled-back property tax proposal, a failed push to legalize sports betting and a controversial bill tied to billionaire Rick Jackson's run for governor. Then Patricia turns to the growing role of corporate investors buying single-family homes across metro Atlanta. Tia Mitchell explains how Senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff are pushing federal legislation aimed at curbing large investors and opening more opportunities for homebuyers. 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 break down the chaotic race to replace former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene in northwest Georgia, a contest that could require voters to cast ballots in as many as five separate elections this year. They revisit Greene's abrupt resignation and the fallout from her split with Donald Trump, including the personal and political tensions that led to her exit. Greg and Tia also examine the crowded Republican field, where Trump-backed Clay Fuller faces a challenge from former state senator Colton Moore and several other contenders. And they discuss whether Democrat Sean Harris could benefit from the fractured GOP field in one of Georgia's deepest red districts. 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 answer listener questions about Georgia's crowded governor's race, including why Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger was still able to qualify despite a GOP resolution aimed at blocking him. They also explain how the growing number of Atlanta‑based candidates could shape the race and break down the differences between full Medicaid expansion and Georgia's Pathways program. The conversation also touches on the timing of Georgia Supreme Court elections, Atlanta's chances of landing a future Democratic National Convention and the emerging race for the open seat next to Marjorie Taylor Greene's district. Greg and Tia also discuss AI‑generated campaign ads and what to watch as Congressman David Scott seeks another term. 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 break down how U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iran are suddenly shaping Georgia's biggest political contests. They examine how top Republicans are lining up behind President Donald Trump while Democrats like Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock push back and call for Congress to assert its authority over war powers. Greg and Tia also explain how the foreign policy fight is colliding with a partial government shutdown centered on funding the Department of Homeland Security. Then they turn to qualifying week at the Georgia Capitol and the early signals emerging in several key races across the 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

Greg Bluestein reports from the Georgia Capitol as qualifying week gets underway, with candidates lining up to formally enter races for governor, Senate and down-ballot offices. He catches up with contenders on both sides of the aisle, from Jon Ossoff and Buddy Carter in the Senate race to Chris Carr and Keisha Lance Bottoms in the race for governor, capturing the early messages and emerging lines of attack. Then Greg sits down with state Rep. Ruwa Romann to discuss her decision to suspend her gubernatorial bid and pivot to a Gwinnett-based state Senate race, and what she says it reveals about money, momentum and the Democratic 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

Greg Bluestein sits down with former state Sen. Jen Jordan and trial attorney Miracle Rankin, two Democratic-leaning attorneys mounting rare challenges to sitting Georgia Supreme Court justices. They argue the court has been shaped by gubernatorial appointments and say voters deserve a clearer choice in low-turnout May elections that have long protected incumbents. Jordan, who is running against Justice Sarah Warren, and Rankin, who is challenging Justice Charlie Bethel, outline a strategy centered on turnout and voter education rather than big-dollar spending. They also make the case for why this election cycle could test a system that has protected incumbents for more than a century. 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 break down the online firestorm over California Gov. Gavin Newsom's comments in Atlanta and explain how his remarks about dyslexia were reframed on social media. They also dig into billionaire candidate Rick Jackson's healthcare empire and the questions surrounding his state contracts as he runs for governor. They explore long-shot challenges to sitting Georgia Supreme Court justices, fallout from the FBI raid on the Fulton County Elections office and scrutiny over a costly ICE property purchase in Social Circle. And they discuss a fatal ICE-related chase in Savannah and the broader debate over immigration enforcement and employer accountability. 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 breaks down President Donald Trump's State of the Union address with Tia Mitchell, focusing on the political implications for Georgia as midterms approach. They examine Trump's attacks on mail-in voting, his clashes with the Supreme Court over tariffs and how Democrats responded, including walkouts and counterprogramming. Later, Greg is joined by Patricia Murphy and Savannah Bureau Chief Adam Van Brimmer for a look at the open 1st Congressional District race and Buddy Carter's Senate bid. Adam also reports on a fatal ICE-related chase in Savannah that has divided local officials, and the latest developments on zoning and the Gullah Geechee community on Sapelo Island. 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 break down why the State Election Board stopped short of moving to take over Fulton County's elections after the FBI raid of the county's election offices. Greg talks with AJC politics reporter Caleb Groves about what happened during the board's two-day meeting and how Georgia law could allow a state intervention before 2026. Then Greg and Patricia sit down with State Election Board Chair John Fervier, who calls talk of a takeover “political theater” and argues there is no justification for state control of Fulton's elections. 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

President Donald Trump returned to Georgia and largely left the 2026 landscape unchanged. Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy break down his renewed endorsement of Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in the governor's race, his decision to stay neutral in the GOP Senate primary, and what that means for Mike Collins, Buddy Carter and Derek Dooley. They also unpack a federal judge's ruling that blocks Jones from spending leadership committee funds and how that could reshape the race. And they examine Trump's revived claims about the 2020 election and calls to scrutinize Fulton County's elections, along with the political fallout for both parties. 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

Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell break down the crowded Democratic primary in Georgia's 13th District, where longtime Congressman David Scott faces multiple challengers, including reality TV star and dentist Dr. Heavenly Kimes. Tia presses Kimes on her leap from a planned state House run to Congress and on whether her Married to Medicine persona helps or hurts her candidacy. Patricia and Tia also examine how her rivals are framing the race and whether concerns about Scott's limited visibility in Washington could fuel calls for generational 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 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 break down the competing tax plans reshaping the debate under the Gold Dome. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones is pushing to phase out the state income tax, House Speaker Jon Burns wants to eliminate property taxes on homesteads, and Gov. Brian Kemp is urging a more incremental approach. AJC reporter David Wickert joins to walk through the math behind the proposals, including projected multibillion-dollar revenue losses and what they could mean for schools, local governments, and the broader state budget. 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 dig into the federal government's push to turn warehouses in Social Circle and Oakwood into large-scale ICE detention facilities. They're joined by AJC immigration reporter Lautaro Grinspan to break down what we know about the 183-acre purchase in Social Circle, the second site in Hall County, and the infrastructure and tax questions local officials are raising. They also examine why city leaders say they have little authority to block the projects, and what these facilities could mean for the communities now preparing for their arrival. 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 sits down with former U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss and former Gov. Roy Barnes for a bipartisan conversation about the fallout from the FBI raid on Fulton County's election office. Both warn against continued efforts to relitigate the 2020 election and argue that repeated investigations risk eroding public confidence in Georgia's voting system. They also weigh in on calls for a potential state takeover of Fulton County elections and the precedent that could set for future governors of either party. 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 tackle a packed Monday mailbag dominated by questions about the FBI raid on the Fulton County Elections office and what it could mean for trust in Georgia's voting system. They break down the unsealed affidavit, revisit the long-debunked allegations at the heart of the probe, and examine the political response from state leaders, including Brad Raffensperger. The episode also turns to the alleged First Liberty Ponzi scheme and growing concerns about a potential Department of Homeland Security shutdown tied to the immigration debate in Washington. 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 hosts this episode with AJC Washington bureau chief Tia Mitchell to break down two open congressional seats and the Republican power struggles they have triggered. They examine Rep. Barry Loudermilk's decision not to seek reelection and the behind-the-scenes maneuvering in a safely Republican district. They also look at northwest Georgia's 14th District, where President Donald Trump's endorsement has upended a crowded special election to replace Marjorie Taylor Greene, and what the broader turnover could mean for Georgia's delegation. 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 break down the shock entry of billionaire Rick Jackson into Georgia's race for governor and what it means for an already crowded Republican field. GOP strategist Stephen Lawson weighs in on how Jackson's money, outsider message, and alignment with President Donald Trump could scramble the fight for the MAGA base and alter the strategies of rivals like Burt Jones, Chris Carr, and Brad Raffensperger. 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 talks with AJC investigative reporter Dylan Jackson about the AJC's sweeping investigation into PFAS contamination tied to northwest Georgia's carpet industry. Dylan walks through how decades of chemical use moved through Dalton Utilities and into waterways, soil and residents' blood, often with little public disclosure. They size up the political response at the Gold Dome, including stalled efforts to shield carpet companies from liability and Georgia's reliance on federal regulators. The discussion also looks ahead to unresolved questions about cleanup costs, regulation and the long-term impact on communities downstream. Forever Stained: An AJC Investigative Series Contaminated: The Carpet Industry's Toxic Legacy, a FRONTLINE documentary 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 hosts alongside Patricia Murphy for a look at the growing backlash against data centers under the Gold Dome. State Sen. Greg Dolezal makes the case for repealing tax incentives, arguing the projects drive up power and water costs while delivering limited public benefit. Public Service Commissioner Peter Hubbard weighs how data center growth affects electricity rates and what leverage regulators and lawmakers have as demand surges. 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 Tia Mitchell for a look at how faith continues to shape politics in Georgia, from the U.S. Senate to a crowded congressional race in northwest Georgia. They begin with Sen. Raphael Warnock's reflections on how his pastoral role informs his views on policy, power, and political responsibility, then turn to an interview with Pastor Tom Gray, a Republican candidate in the GA-14 race, who argues that conservative politics are rooted in biblical principles and should guide government decision-making. 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

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's senior political reporter Greg Bluestein is joined by columnist Patricia Murphy, as the pair discuss what's next in last week's FBI raid on a Fulton County election warehouse. Murphy and Bluestein discuss the possibility of criminal charges and whether President Donald Trump's allies will try to take over Fulton's elections. Then, the duo talks about Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger breaking his silence on the raid. Raffensperger is a candidate for Georgia governor in 2026. 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. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Atlanta Journal-Constitution senior political reporter Greg Bluestein and podcast executive producer Shane Backler drive to Georgia's 14th Congressional District in northwest Georgia to hear how voters are feeling about former U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene's sudden resignation. AJC senior columnist Patricia Murphy and Greg Bluestein discuss the wide range of candidates looking to fill the seat as nearly two dozen candidates are running in the special election. 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. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at ⁠Apple Podcasts⁠, ⁠Spotify.⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Bluestein is joined by Tia Mitchell and Patricia Murphy to break down questions from across Georgia, starting with a bill that would shift securities regulation away from the Secretary of State's office as the state investigates the collapse of First Liberty Banking and Loan. They also take up concerns over kindergarten enrollment rules in Gwinnett County, weigh how much stock to put in election betting markets versus polling, and assess early signs of tension and strategy in Georgia's emerging governor's race. 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

In this special edition of Politically Georgia, host Greg Bluestein is joined by Patricia Murphy to break down the FBI's raid on Fulton County's election warehouse, where federal agents seized hundreds of boxes of 2020 election materials. The move marks a dramatic escalation tied to former President Donald Trump's renewed claims about the election. Greg and Patricia unpack what the raid could mean for Georgia's election system heading into 2026, including fears among Democrats that it could pave the way for a state takeover of Fulton County elections. They also share reaction from state lawmakers, revealing sharp partisan divides and deep concerns about what comes next for voting rights and election oversight in Georgia. 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

AJC Washington bureau chief Tia Mitchell examines how a deadly federal immigration enforcement shooting in Minneapolis is reverberating through Georgia politics, as Democratic senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock threaten to block a government funding bill unless new limits on ICE are included. She explains why a partial government shutdown appears increasingly likely and how Republican challengers are seizing on the issue in a heated election year. The episode then features a recorded roundtable hosted by AJC reporters Maya T. Prabhu and Michelle Baruchman with state Reps. Yasmin Neal and Clint Crowe, both former police detectives. The lawmakers offer sharply different views on the Minnesota shooting, the role of ICE in Georgia, and how immigration enforcement affects public trust, while also identifying areas where bipartisan cooperation on public safety could still emerge under the Gold Dome. 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 sits down with state Rep. Akbar Ali, the 21-year-old freshman lawmaker who just became the youngest member of the Georgia General Assembly. Ali talks about his rapid rise from community organizing to the Gold Dome, his first bill aimed at protecting planning time for public school teachers, and why affordability, health care, and economic opportunity are driving his agenda. Later, Patricia Murphy joins Greg to put Ali's win in context, looking at how generational change is reshaping Georgia politics, why younger candidates are finding new openings with voters, and what Ali's early success could signal for the next wave of leaders at the Capitol. 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 break down the political fallout from a fatal federal immigration enforcement shooting in Minneapolis and why it's sending ripples through Georgia politics. They explain how the incident has prompted rare pushback from some Republicans, unsettled longtime GOP allies like gun rights groups, and raised new concerns about civil liberties as immigration enforcement expands into U.S. cities. They also look at how immigration is shaping Georgia's U.S. Senate race, with Sen. Jon Ossoff pressing Republican challengers to either defend or distance themselves from President Trump's approach. Greg and Patricia walk through how candidates like Mike Collins and Buddy Carter are embracing the White House line, why Derek Dooley's silence is drawing notice, and why immigration could become one of the most defining issues in a closely divided state heading into 2026. 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 answer listener questions in this Monday mailbag episode of Politically Georgia. They start with whether Senate Republicans made a strategic mistake by voting against Affordable Care Act health care subsidies as costs rise for Georgians. They explain why Democrats forced those votes, how GOP candidates are defending them, and why the issue is likely to loom large in the U.S. Senate race. They also touch on a brewing fight over “academic redshirting” in Georgia schools, the state of the governor's race, and growing scrutiny of mystery political ads targeting Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. Greg and Tia break down what the law requires when it comes to disclosure, why the ads live in a legal gray area, and how dark money is already shaping Georgia's 2026 elections. 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 for an in-depth conversation with Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr. Carr lays out an anti-corruption proposal that he says would be the toughest in the nation, and explains why cleaning up state and local government is a central plank of his campaign for governor. Greg and Patricia discuss how Carr's pitch fits into a crowded GOP primary, the growing voter frustration with ethics and transparency, and how his record as attorney general shapes his case for higher office as the 2026 governor's race begins 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 Patricia Murphy devotes the episode to education policy as Georgia's legislative session gets underway. She speaks with Rep. Scott Hilton about expanding Georgia's cellphone ban from middle schools to high schools, the early results from existing restrictions, and why lawmakers say limiting screen time is improving student engagement and mental health. In the second segment, Patricia is joined by Rep. Stacey Evans to discuss Governor Brian Kemp's proposal to create Georgia's first need-based college scholarship program. Evans explains why the investment could be a game-changer for students priced out of higher education and how rare bipartisan momentum may shape education funding debates in the months ahead. 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 break down Governor Brian Kemp's State of the State address, where he dipped deeper into Georgia's surplus while warning future leaders against draining the rainy day fund. They analyze the political message behind Kemp's final budget, including tax rebates, a surprise push for need-based scholarships, and why he pushed back on sweeping income tax elimination plans. Then, Greg and Patricia turn to the escalating money wars shaping Georgia's 2026 races. They examine Sen. Jon Ossoff's massive fundraising haul and the mysterious, multimillion-dollar anonymous ad campaign hammering Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. They explain why the source of the spending remains hidden, how it exploits gaps in disclosure laws, and why it has rattled candidates across the political spectrum. 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 this special Martin Luther King Jr. Day episode, host Greg Bluestein is joined by Tia Mitchell and Patricia Murphy for a look back at one of the most consequential civil rights battles in Georgia politics. Producer Natalie Mendenhall tells the story of Julian Bond, who was elected to the Georgia House in 1965 but blocked from taking office by fellow lawmakers, sparking protests, national outrage, and a landmark Supreme Court ruling. The episode also features Natalie's interview with Michael Julian Bond, who reflects on his father's legacy, the personal toll of that fight, and why Julian Bond's stand for free speech and democratic representation still resonates as Georgia lawmakers return to the Capitol today. 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 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