Politically Georgia

Former Tennessee coach Derek Dooley is stepping into Georgia’s high-stakes Senate race, and sports radio veteran Jimmy Hyams joins the show to share stories from Dooley’s time on the sidelines and how those experiences could shape his political run. Then, Georgia Senator John F. Kennedy talks with Greg Bluestein about tackling chronic absenteeism in public schools, his approach to prevention over...

Former Georgia Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan joins hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy, and Tia Mitchell to discuss his decision to leave the GOP and join the Democratic Party. Duncan talks about what led to his political shift, weighs in on issues from gun safety to abortion, and confirms he is considering a run for governor in 2026. The episode also covers the deadly shooting at the CDC in Atlanta and...

Former DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond has officially entered Georgia’s 2026 governor’s race, joining Keisha Lance Bottoms and Jason Esteves in a crowded Democratic primary. On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, host Patricia Murphy reacts to Thurmond’s announcement before diving into the Monday Mailbag with producer Shane Backler and intern Gray Mollenkamp. The team fields listener questions on...

Wall Street Journal reporter and bestselling author Josh Dawsey joins Greg Bluestein to unpack the twists of Donald Trump’s return to the White House. From the fiery feud with Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp to the Democrats’ missteps in 2024, Dawsey shares behind-the-scenes stories from his book 2024: How Trump Retook the White House and the Democrats Lost America and explains why Georgia remains the nat...

On today’s Washington Wednesday edition of Politically Georgia, hosts Tia Mitchell and Patricia Murphy look at two national organizations aiming to leave their mark on Georgia politics ahead of the 2026 midterms. First, former Georgia state lawmaker Alisha Thomas Searcy joins the show to talk about leading the new Center for Strong Public Schools Action Fund and its mission to shape education poli...

On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, hosts Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell break down Derek Dooley’s high-profile entry into Georgia’s 2026 Senate race and what it means for Governor Brian Kemp, Donald Trump, and the GOP field. Later, Greg Bluestein sits down with AJC reporter Tamar Hallerman to preview the newest season of the award-winning Breakdown podcast, which dives into a gripping ca...

Republican candidate Kelvin King joins host Greg Bluestein to share why he’s running for Georgia Secretary of State and how lessons from his 2022 Senate campaign shape his vision for the office. Then, in our Monday Mailbag segment, Greg and AJC City Hall reporter Riley Bunch tackle listener questions on Atlanta’s budget, school vouchers, and the ripple effects of Mike Collins’ Senate run. Have a q...

Host Greg Bluestein is joined by AJC City Hall reporter Riley Bunch to discuss Marjorie Taylor Greene’s announcement that she won’t run for governor, why her decision reshapes Georgia’s political landscape, and what it means for the 2026 races. Then, producers Natalie Mendenhall and Shane Backler wrap up our Back-to-School series with expert tips on supporting student mental health and how to navi...

On this Washington Wednesday edition of Politically Georgia, host Tia Mitchell looks at how President Donald Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill" could reshape education policy across Georgia. With major provisions now signed into law, AJC education reporter Cassidy Alexander explains what Georgia schools could face next. That includes changes to Medicaid and SNAP that may affect student meals and men...

Hosts Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell break down Governor Brian Kemp’s surprise decision to back Derek Dooley, setting off a cascade of political moves, including Mike Collins’ entry into the race and John King’s sudden exit. Then, Greg talks with AJC higher education reporter Jason Armesto about the sweeping changes Georgia colleges face under President Trump’s “big beautiful bill,” from new stud...

Host Patricia Murphy is joined by AJC education reporter Martha Dalton for a conversation with Atlanta Public Schools Police Chief Ron Applin on what families need to know about school safety this year, including cellphone bans, mental health funding, and new security mandates. Then, Tia Mitchell joins for the listener mailbag, where the team tackles questions on federal funding cuts, Medicaid pap...

Hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy, and Tia Mitchell take a high-level look at Georgia’s fast-forming 2026 political landscape. From open races for governor and lieutenant governor to Jon Ossoff’s growing war chest in the Senate race, the crew breaks down where the candidates stand, h ow the money’s shaping the matchups, and why this early stage matters more than ever. Have a question or commen...

On this Washington Wednesday edition of Politically Georgia, host Tia Mitchell is joined by Greg Bluestein to explore the fallout from deep cuts to public broadcasting championed by President Trump and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. WABE CEO Jennifer Dorian explains how the funding loss will hit stations across Georgia, especially in rural communities. Then, we hear from a Georgia college student wh...

With speculation growing around Congressman Mike Collins and a potential Senate bid, Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell break down what his recent moves might mean for 2026. They also look at where Collins fits into the broader Republican landscape and how the race is starting to take shape behind the scenes. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcas...

Hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy, and Tia Mitchell take a closer look at the alleged $140 million Ponzi scheme tied to a well-connected Georgia family with deep roots in Republican politics. They explore the fallout from the First Liberty Building and Loan scandal, how it targeted conservative investors, and what it could mean for political campaigns across the state. Then, it’s back to the l...

Hosts Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell discuss the political reverberations of Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game returning to Atlanta, including which leaders are speaking out — and which are staying quiet. Then, they dig into the first fundraising numbers of Georgia’s 2026 Senate contenders, including Jon Ossoff, John King, and Buddy Carter. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or tex...

On this Washington Wednesday edition of Politically Georgia, host Tia Mitchell speaks with AJC health care reporter Ariel Hart about how Georgia could be affected by sweeping health care changes under President Trump’s newly signed “Big Beautiful Bill.” They unpack potential coverage losses and Medicaid cutbacks. Then, elections reporter Mark Niesse joins the podcast to explain one of the largest...

As the MLB All-Star Game returns to Atlanta, Republican state Rep. Todd Jones joins Greg Bluestein and calls on the league to apologize for pulling the 2021 game over Georgia’s voting law—while defending the law’s legacy and impact. Then, AJC Savannah Bureau Chief Adam Van Brimmer joins host Tia Mitchell to recap Senator Jon Ossoff’s high-energy Savannah rally, where Ossoff went after Donald Trump...

Hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy take listeners to Plains, Georgia, where the community is working to preserve the legacy of President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter, six months after his death. Patricia shares powerful reflections and interviews from her visit to Plains, including conversations with longtime residents, former staff, and tourists. Later in the episode, it’s Mo...

Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones has officially entered the race for Georgia governor, backing his Trump-aligned platform with a staggering $14 million war chest. Host Greg Bluestein breaks down how Jones’s campaign could reshape the GOP field and why his proposal to eliminate the state income tax is drawing major attention. Then AJC City Hall reporter Riley Bunch joins the show to explore how Jones...

On this Washington Wednesday edition of Politically Georgia, hosts Tia Mitchell and Patricia Murphy are joined by The Washington Post’s Marianna Sotomayor to explain how Congress managed to pass President Donald Trump’s sweeping “big, beautiful bill” by the July 4 deadline—despite serious GOP resistance, long voting standoffs, and some last-minute changes that caught lawmakers by surprise. Then, T...

As Donald Trump’s sweeping budget and tax bill becomes law, Georgia Republicans are signaling strong support—even as it brings major policy changes to the state. Hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy break down what it means for Georgia’s economy, Medicaid, and green energy incentives. Then Senate Majority Leader Jason Anavitarte joins the show to share his priorities, weigh the impact on the s...

Hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy examine the buzz around former football coach Derek Dooley’s possible run for U.S. Senate in Georgia. Can a candidate with virtually no public political track record—and a legacy tied to Tennessee orange—win over Georgia GOP voters? Then, Tia Mitchell joins Greg for the Monday Mailbag segment, where they answer questions about Medicaid paperwork, political...

As the Peachtree Road Race draws near, so does a key fundraising deadline for Georgia’s 2026 hopefuls. On today’s episode of Politically Georgia, hosts Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell break down the early money race in the contests for governor, U.S. Senate, and House seats. Then, they turn to Capitol Hill where the Senate narrowly passed President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful bill.” Tia reports...

On this Washington Wednesday, the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling on nationwide injunctions and birthright citizenship takes center stage. Stanford law professor Fred Smith, a former clerk at the high court, joins Tia Mitchell and Patricia Murphy to explain what the decision means for the Constitution, the lower courts, and Americans’ legal rights. Then, Congress faces a July 4 deadline to pass Presid...