Politically Georgia

Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy answer listener questions about Rick Jackson's campaign, including whether his pledge to personally fund Trump accounts raises legal concerns. They also examine the double standard surrounding emotion on the campaign trail and respond to criticism of Jackson's visits to Black-owned businesses. Plus, they discuss the spread of Flock surveillance cameras and whether Donald Trump's appearance at Wheeler High School crossed the line from an official event into a campaign rally. 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

Georgia Republican Party Chairman Josh McKoon says the party cannot afford lingering divisions after a bruising primary season. Host Greg Bluestein, alongside Tia Mitchell, presses McKoon on his lack of direct contact with GOP nominee Rick Jackson, Mike Collins' path against Jon Ossoff and the party's need to reach more nonwhite voters. McKoon also weighs Donald Trump's continued focus on the 2020 election and Georgia's potential role in the 2028 presidential primary calendar. 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 Mike Collins' opening strategy against U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, including attacks over fundraising and immigration. They also assess Collins' response to reports that his son-in-law shared antisemitic, white nationalist and pro-Nazi content online, along with the unresolved House ethics investigation involving Collins and a former aide. Greg and Tia also discuss the backlash Ossoff faced after offering condolences following U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham's death and what it says about civility and bipartisanship in modern politics. 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

A new bipartisan poll shows Jon Ossoff with a clear lead over Mike Collins, while the race for governor remains essentially tied between Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson. On today's episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy examine why the two marquee contests are moving in different directions and how each party is targeting split-ticket voters. They also speak with Keith McNulty, leader of East Cobb Democrats, about the backlash to Donald Trump's event at the school and what it reveals about the changing politics of Cobb County. Correction: An earlier version of this podcast description incorrectly identified Keith McNulty as a Wheeler High School graduate. The description has been updated to remove that reference. 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 unpack the backlash after Republican gubernatorial nominee Rick Jackson posed for a photo at a Black-owned Atlanta restaurant. They also discuss the growing presence of democratic socialists in Georgia politics, unresolved questions surrounding Coffee County and the 2020 election, and the shifting balance of power at the state Capitol. Plus, they respond to listeners on political titles, Georgia geography and the proper pronunciation of Albany. 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 came to Cobb County to promote a new savings program for children, but his appearance at Wheeler High School quickly took on the feel of a campaign rally. On today's episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy break down Trump's attacks on U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, his enthusiastic support for Republican Senate nominee Mike Collins and the political significance of holding the event in a county that has shifted sharply toward Democrats. They also examine Republican gubernatorial nominee Rick Jackson's emotional speech and his proposal to provide an additional $1,000 for Georgia children enrolled in the new federal savings accounts. Plus, Greg and Patricia discuss how Democrats are working to tie Georgia's Republican ticket to Trump and turn the November election into a referendum on his presidency. 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's return to Georgia puts his influence over the state Republican Party back in focus. On today's episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy speak with Republican strategist Stephen Lawson about how Rick Jackson and Mike Collins can appeal to swing voters without alienating Trump's base. Lawson also assesses Collins' difficult path against U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, lingering GOP tensions after the governor's runoff and the possibility of another redistricting session later this year. The discussion also covers health care, competitive state House races and the growing debate 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 examine what President Donald Trump's Cobb County visit could mean for gubernatorial nominee Rick Jackson and Senate nominee Mike Collins. They also look at Jackson's first rally since winning the runoff, where he emphasized affordability, education and his personal story without mentioning Trump. Plus, they discuss the lingering Republican divisions Jackson must overcome and the expansive turnout operation his campaign is building for 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

Jon Ossoff's first attack ad against Mike Collins tests whether Republican divisions over the Epstein files can shape Georgia's U.S. Senate race. On today's episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy examine Ossoff's financial advantage, the lingering fallout from Georgia's 2020 election fight and the unresolved tensions between Burt Jones and Rick Jackson. They also discuss the growing influence of democratic socialists and whether Raphael Warnock or Ossoff could emerge as a presidential contender in 2028. 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's planned White House address is already reshaping Georgia politics before he delivers it. On today's episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell explain why Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock are mounting a preemptive response and how renewed scrutiny of the 2020 election could complicate the campaigns of Mike Collins and Rick Jackson. They also examine how the Libertarian Party's failure to qualify statewide candidates makes November runoffs far less likely and changes the strategy for Georgia's marquee races. 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

Political and economic power is increasingly moving toward the South as corporations relocate, populations grow and Southern leaders gain more influence in Washington. On today's episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, Tia Mitchell and Patricia Murphy speak with Democratic strategist Howard Franklin about his new report, Accelerating South: Risks, Rewards and the Road Ahead. Franklin explains how migration, business investment and a new generation of governors could reshape the region and Georgia's place within it. The conversation also examines the debate over data center growth, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens' second-term priorities and the possibility that Georgia could elect a Democratic governor while Republicans retain control of the General Assembly. Tia and Patricia then assess how Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson are repositioning themselves for the general election, and what Democrats still want to see from the Bottoms campaign. 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

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones speaks publicly for the first time since losing the Republican runoff for governor to Rick Jackson. On today's episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy ask Jones about the attacks that defined the campaign, Gov. Brian Kemp's late endorsement and why he has not yet backed Jackson. Jones also discusses the challenges Republicans face in November and leaves open the possibility of another run for office. 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 a listener-driven look at the political questions shaping Georgia's summer. He weighs the FBI's renewed scrutiny of Fulton County's 2020 election handling, Jon Ossoff's debate strategy against Mike Collins and why Raphael Warnock looks more likely than Ossoff to draw 2028 presidential speculation. Bluestein also digs into Rick Jackson's unsettled GOP support and the split-ticket voters who could decide Georgia's 2026 races. 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 a look at Georgia's lingering 2020 election fights with Tamar Hallerman, who explains the FBI's review of Fulton County election records and the political questions it raises for Republicans heading into November. Greg also talks with Riley Bunch about new Georgia laws now in effect, including changes to school cell phone rules, literacy efforts, medical cannabis, paid maternity leave and cash rounding. The discussion connects the fights lawmakers had under the Gold Dome with the changes Georgians are starting to see now. 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

Tia Mitchell looks at the unusual race to succeed the late U.S. Rep. David Scott in Georgia's 13th Congressional District. She speaks with state Rep. Jasmine Clark, who won the Democratic primary for the next full term, about why she did not enter the special election and how she is preparing for Congress. Tia also talks with Dr. Everton Blair and Marcye Scott, who are running in the special election to finish David Scott's current term, about what they believe can be done in a short window before January. 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

Democratic socialists won one major Georgia House race, came close in others and are now forcing a broader debate inside the state Democratic Party. On today's episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy look at how candidates backed by the Democratic Socialists of America performed in Georgia's primaries and why younger voters are responding to their message. They also discuss how Republicans could use the movement to paint Democrats as too far left heading into the 2026 general 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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell answer listener questions about the prospect of another special session if Democrats win key statewide offices in November. They also break down Mike Collins' continued embrace of Trump's false 2020 election claims, the fight over Fulton County election board nominees and the stalled effort to replace Georgia's QR code voting system. Greg and Tia close with a look at split-ticket voters and why they could again decide statewide races 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

Greg Bluestein breaks down three Supreme Court rulings that could shape Georgia's 2026 elections, including new campaign finance rules, the fight over birthright citizenship and laws banning transgender female athletes from girls and women's sports. He explains how the campaign finance decision could help Mike Collins narrow Jon Ossoff's fundraising advantage with support from the Republican National Committee. Greg also looks at how Ossoff and Keisha Lance Bottoms are sharpening their joint campaign message, while Republicans focus on Bottoms' record as Atlanta mayor and public safety. 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

Tia Mitchell talks with social media influencer Qondi Ntini about how online fandom, humor and “thirst trap” politics became part of Georgia's U.S. Senate campaigns. Qondi explains how her “Thirst for Democracy” brand grew from organic posts about Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock into fundraising, campaign access and a broader conversation about political influencers. She also weighs the tension between authenticity and paid campaign content, and why she keeps her platform focused on the candidates she supports. Find Qondi's content here: linktr.ee/qondi 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 are joined by outgoing AJC president and publisher Andrew Morse on his final day in the office. Andrew discusses the AJC's move away from print, the push to grow digital subscribers and the changes he helped lead across audio, video, live events and regional coverage. He also talks about the future of local news, the role of AI in journalism and what surprised him about Georgia politics during his time in Atlanta. 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

Brian Kemp's influence in Georgia Republican politics faces new questions after his preferred candidates lost major runoff contests. On today's episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell answer listener questions about what a Rick Jackson governorship could mean for state agencies, why statewide tickets do not always campaign together and how Georgia's runoff rules keep shaping elections. They also look at Jon Ossoff's early attacks on Mike Collins and the unsettled question of who now leads the Georgia GOP. 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 Georgia Senate race is already turning personal as Jon Ossoff and Mike Collins move quickly to define each other for a high-stakes general election. On today's episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell break down the early ads, church appearances and campaign messages shaping the matchup. They also look at Ossoff's push to energize Black voters, Collins' effort to pair MAGA loyalty with a results-focused pitch, and why both campaigns are watching for moments that could reshape the 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

The Republican ticket is set in Georgia, but the first days after the runoff show that party unity is still a work in progress. On today's episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell and Patricia Murphy look at Rick Jackson's absence from the Georgia GOP's rodeo fundraiser and what it says about his relationship with party activists. They also examine how Donald Trump quickly embraced Jackson after endorsing Burt Jones, and how Jackson and Mike Collins are beginning to frame their general election campaigns. 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 begin with the sad news that their friend and conservative commentator Martha Zoller died Monday after wrapping up her radio show last week. On today's episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, they reflect on Zoller's legacy before turning to the special legislative session at the state Capitol. They break down how a session that began with voting-system deadlines and redistricting drama shifted into a fight over property tax relief, sales taxes and Democratic leverage. They also explain the proposed delay to Georgia's QR-code voting ban, the push for hand recounts and the changing power dynamics among Republican leaders. 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 listener-driven look at a turbulent week in Georgia politics. They discuss Rick Jackson's costly victory in the Republican runoff for governor, Brian Kemp's late endorsement of Burt Jones and what it says about Kemp's influence inside the GOP. Greg and Patricia also examine the stalled push for a redistricting special session, MARTA funding and safety concerns, and the lingering lawsuits between Jackson and Jones allies. 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 Tia Mitchell and Patricia Murphy for a special episode recorded as lawmakers returned to the Capitol after Georgia's primary runoffs. They break down the abrupt decision by Republican legislative leaders to shelve redistricting during the special session, despite pressure from Gov. Brian Kemp and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones to move forward. The episode also looks at what the move says about Kemp's diminished influence after a bruising runoff night, the awkward dynamics inside the Capitol and the new Republican ticket taking shape for 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 hosts a special edition of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast with Tia Mitchell and Patricia Murphy after Georgia's primary runoff elections delivered two major Republican verdicts. Rick Jackson defeated Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in the GOP race for governor despite late support from Donald Trump and Brian Kemp, while Mike Collins beat Derek Dooley in the Senate runoff after Trump backed Collins and Kemp helped build Dooley's campaign. The episode looks at what the results say about Kemp's political machine, Trump's uneven influence, Republican unity and the general election fights ahead against Keisha Lance Bottoms and Jon Ossoff. Greg, Tia and Patricia also break down key down-ballot races and the uncertain future of redistricting in a special legislative 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

Greg Bluestein, alongside Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell, takes on both sides of the Republican runoff as Georgia heads to the polls. The conversation centers on Brian Kemp's surprise endorsement of Bert Jones in the governor's race, a Sunday night move that caught even veteran operatives off guard, and what it means for Kemp's own political future if his picks don't deliver. Trump's 1 a.m. Truth Social endorsement of Mike Collins in the Senate race rounds out a 48-hour stretch that scrambled both contests heading into Election Day. 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 take listener questions the day before Georgia's Republican runoff, sizing up what's at stake for both the governor's race and the Senate contest. They weigh how much of Brian Kemp's political legacy rides on Derek Dooley's performance, whether Trump's endorsement still carries the same force it did in 2018, and what the Democratic coalition actually needs from Kemp Bottoms beyond a primary win. They also walk through the mechanics of who can vote Tuesday and why the lieutenant governor runoffs deserve more attention than they're getting, with a looming special session set to begin the morning after the results come in. 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 former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin to dig into the collision of events bearing down on the city: the World Cup, a redistricting special session, and growing organizing around voting rights. Franklin weighs in on the Supreme Court's Voting Rights Act ruling, what it could mean for Georgia's congressional map, and Keisha Lance Bottoms' path in the governor's race. Then, with Tia Mitchell, Greg sits down with MARTA Police Chief Scott Kreher to take on the surge in violent incidents on the transit system just as hundreds of thousands of World Cup visitors are about to arrive. 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 Jon Ossoff's on-the-record pushback against 2028 presidential speculation, including what Patricia heard directly from the senator and why both of them think the chatter says as much about the Democratic Party's search for a leader as it does about Ossoff himself. They also size up the Republican Senate runoff, now days away, with Buddy Carter's 25 percent of the primary vote still up for grabs and both Mike Collins and Derek Dooley working to lock in his supporters before June 16th. The governor's race gets attention too, as Rick Jackson looks to consolidate Chris Carr's voters while navigating the volatility of invoking Brad Raffensperger's name with Trump still on the sidelines. 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 redistricting fight ahead of Georgia's special session, set to begin June 17th. AJC reporter Tamar Hallerman walks through which congressional and state legislative districts are most at risk, why the Supreme Court's Voting Rights Act ruling gives Republicans new legal cover, and what tools Democrats have left to challenge new maps in court. State Rep. Saira Draper joins to size up what Democrats can realistically do in the minority, names specific vulnerable Republicans she is watching, and argues that Governor Kemp's decision to redistrict before November puts several members of his own party in a difficult position. Both guests address the session's second major item: the state's looming voting machine deadline, and what a delay would mean for 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 take on listener questions ahead of Georgia's upcoming runoffs and a special legislative session. They dig into the Rick Jackson ad that leans on Brian Kemp's words without an actual endorsement, and size up how both Republican governor's race candidates are racing to claim the MAGA lane while also courting Kemp's political brand. Greg and Tia also weigh in on Keisha Lance Bottoms and Jon Ossoff's early joint campaigning, what the black women's vote actually delivered for Stacey Abrams in 2018, and how Georgia's leadership committee fundraising law created a money advantage that's still generating legal fights this 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

Greg Bluestein examines the high-stakes Republican U.S. Senate runoff between Mike Collins and Derek Dooley, arguing that the race has become a broader test of the future direction of Georgia's GOP. He breaks down the competing visions driving the campaign, the key voter blocs that could decide the outcome, and what the runoff could reveal about the balance of power between Brian Kemp's coalition-building approach and Donald Trump's influence over Republican primary voters. Greg also looks at Democratic runoff battles, the emerging fight over Georgia's gas tax and rising fuel prices, and why Congressman Brian Jack is working to build the next generation of Georgia Republican leaders. 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 is joined by Riley Bunch to break down what stood out from Georgia's latest primary runoff debates and what the performances could mean ahead of the June 16 election. They discuss Lt. Gov. Burt Jones' solo appearance at a debate after rival Rick Jackson skipped the event, Jones' efforts to align himself with Gov. Brian Kemp, and his answers on abortion, redistricting and the aftermath of the 2020 election. Then Patricia highlights key moments from several down-ballot runoff debates, including a heated Democratic lieutenant governor clash between Josh McLaurin and Nabilah Islam Parkes and a substantive Republican showdown between John F. Kennedy and Greg Dolezal. 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 AJC Election Reporter Riley Bunch discuss the recent Republican Georgia US Senate debate and the first joint rally between Democrats Jon Ossoff and Keisha Lance Bottoms. 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 with Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell for a listener-driven episode on Georgia's shifting political coalitions. They examine how Democratic and Republican bases have changed since 2020, why Jon Ossoff and Keisha Lance Bottoms are already campaigning in tandem, and how Black women voters continue to shape Democratic politics in Georgia. They also explain the fight over Georgia's election “bunker,” the debate over ranked choice voting, and whether Republican runoffs could help or hurt the party heading into 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, Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell examine the fast-moving alliance between Senator Jon Ossoff and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms as Georgia Democrats try to project unity ahead of 2026. They discuss why Ossoff sees political upside in aligning closely with Bottoms, how Republicans are already preparing attacks tied to her tenure as Atlanta mayor, and why Black women remain central to Democratic turnout strategy in Georgia. The episode also breaks down the escalating Republican runoff battles, including Rick Jackson's massive self-funded campaign for governor and the fallout surrounding Senate candidate Mike Collins after a top aide's inflammatory social media post triggered backlash across the GOP. 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 sit down with state Sen. Elena Parent as she explains why she's stepping away from the Georgia Legislature after years as one of Senate Democrats' most prominent voices. Parent reflects on the realities of serving in the minority party, the growing demands of legislative life, and how the rise of Donald Trump reshaped debate under the Gold Dome. She also discusses the pressures both parties face from activist bases, the impact of gerrymandering and social media on modern politics, and why she still believes Democrats can compete for power in Georgia. Parent closes by naming several Georgia Democrats she sees as rising political talent to watch in the years 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

AJC editor-in-chief Leroy Chapman sits down with John Hope Bryant to discuss Bryant's new book, Capitalism for All, and his argument that economic mobility is the unfinished work of the civil rights movement. Bryant explains why he believes Atlanta is uniquely positioned to lead what he calls a “third reconstruction,” centered on financial literacy, entrepreneurship and broader access to opportunity. The conversation also explores the political frustration driving more Americans toward independent politics, the limits of partisan economic messaging, and why Bryant believes “the only true freedom is financial freedom.” 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 post-primary landscape, including Keisha Lance Bottoms' sweeping Democratic win, the money gap between Republican and Democratic candidates, and legal questions around newly passed legislation. They also examine how self-funded candidates use personal loans and what those numbers signal in the governor's race. In segment two, Greg and Tia feature Q&A recorded live at the Politically Georgia happy hour at Manuel's Tavern with Patricia Murphy, including questions about judicial elections, political power and the AJC's coverage of Georgia's changing suburbs. 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 sit down with Senator Raphael Warnock for an extended conversation about the Supreme Court ruling that weakened a key section of the Voting Rights Act and the political fallout now unfolding in Georgia. Warnock argues the decision could reshape representation in the South, weighs in on Georgia Republicans' push for new congressional maps, and explains why he believes voting rights should become Democrats' top priority in Washington. He also responds to growing calls for more aggressive tactics from civil rights groups and Democrats frustrated by what they see as an erosion of Black political power. 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