Political Breakfast from WABE

On this week's Political Breakfast: Lately it's been less about politics in our news feed, and all about the FIFA World Cup! As we recorded, Atlanta was getting ready for its second knockout stage match at Mercedes Benz Stadium, with Argentina battling Egypt. In the heat of Atlanta hosting the World Cup, a recent U.S. Census Bureau report estimates Georgia's population has grown by more than a hal...

On today's live edition of Political Breakfast, we're addressing a surprise move during a special session called by Governor Brian Kemp.  The plan was to redraw Georgia's congressional and state legislative districts. That's in response to a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling that gutted a key portion in the Voting Rights Act on redistricting. Now critics say Republican-held states across the S...

After months of candidates stumping for high-profile endorsements, spending millions of dollars on attack ads and traveling across the state, today's the day.  The polls are open for Georgia's primary runoff election.  Some of the most contentious races are on the Republican ballot, including the runoffs for U.S. Senate and Governor.  One race that's gotten some extra attention this...

On this week's Political Breakfast, we're starting off with an increasingly contentious local race ahead of the June primary runoff elections: the race for Fulton County Commission Chair.  Longtime incumbent Robb Pitts is being challenged by former District 4 Commissioner Mo Ivory. Recent debates between the two have been fiery and full of personal attacks.  One issue voters are bringing...

This week on Political Breakfast, we're talking about party unity, and endorsements pouring-in as the dust settles from Georgia's May primary elections.  U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff and Georgia's Democratic gubernatorial candidate, Keisha Lance Bottoms, are joining forces ahead of the general election in November.  Is the entire Democratic base united to support the former Atlanta Mayor? If...

On this week's Political Breakfast: The campaign for billionaire healthcare CEO Rick Jackson confirmed with WABE he will NOT be part of Monday's Atlanta Press Club debate, in the battle for the Republican nomination in the Georgia governor's race. His opponent, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, is now prepared to face an empty podium on Monday afternoon at 2:45, and answer questions from a panel of...

On this week's Political Breakfast, we have a quick recap of a critical Election Day for Georgia's 2026 May primary.  A large chunk of undecided Georgia voters showed up to the polls on Tuesday, and completely changed the game. Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms dominated in the race for the Democratic nomination for Georgia Governor. She's now free to focus on the November general ele...

On this week's Political Breakfast, we're in the final stretch of early voting for the May primaries! Early voting ends this Friday. Election Day is May 19th.  The Georgia Governor's race has been dominating our conversations on this podcast. Now it's time to turn to the U.S. Senate race. Republican Governor Brian Kemp has endorsed former football coach Derek Dooley in hopes he can flip the s...

On this edition of Political Breakfast, the team discusses recent polling.  Are they spot on or not? Strategists Brian Robinson and Tharon Johnson share their take with Lisa Rayam.  A recent AJC poll on the Democratic Race for Governor is at the center of the conversation.   In addition, the team sorts through the recent US Supreme Court Decision regarding the Voting Rights Act...

  On this edition of Political Breakfast, strategists Tharon Johnson, Brian Robinson, and Host Lisa Rayam talk about the art of debating.    The debate season kicks off in Georgia just as early voting gets underway.  Do the candidates truly benefit from participating in this long-established routine?    Also, the team focuses on the Gubernatorial candidates and what t...

On this week's Political Breakfast, the team was pleased to record the podcast in front of a live studio audience at the Brookhaven City Centre.  More than a hundred listeners showed-up to hear host Lisa Rayam, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson.  They started off by discussing the latest in the Georgia Governor's race, GOP infighting and if the...

On this week's Political Breakfast, the candidates in the Georgia Governor's race are in the final weeks to reach voters -- whether that's through big ad spending, or showing up for public forums and debates.  The front-runners are still Republican billionaire healthcare CEO Rick Jackson, and former Democratic Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.  The May 19th primary is fast approaching,...

On this week's Political Breakfast, the final gavel banged on Sine Die. Georgia's 2026 Legislative Session is over. But as the dust settles and bills head to Governor Brian Kemp's desk for his signature, host Lisa Rayam asks Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson about the overall vibe under the Gold Dome.  The gang shares that the session ended with mor...

On today's Political Breakfast, host Lisa Rayam goes live with Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson. That's as some metro Atlanta voters line up to cast their ballots in a special election, to fill the seat of former Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. Georgia's 14th Congressional District stretches from the northwest corner of the state down into...

On this week's Political Breakfast, we cover majoring bickering between Republicans running for Georgia Governor.   Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and billionaire healthcare CEO Rick Jackson are on the attack. Jones has accused Jackson's company, Alpharetta-based Jackson Healthcare, of allowing doctors to perform transgender treatment on minors and prison inmates, and placing staff inside Planned Parent...

On this week's first edition of Political Breakfast, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson go live with host Lisa Rayam. All have thoughts about the race to represent  Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, formerly held by Marjorie Taylor Greene.  Greene resigned in January after a falling-out with her once-ally, President Donald Trump. The...

On this edition of Political Breakfast, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson are back from spring break -- and are immediately bombarded with political headlines to catch up on. On Tuesday there's a crowded field of candidates vying to fill Georgia's 14th Congressional District seat, left vacant by former Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. One...

On today's Political Breakfast, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson go live with host Lisa Rayam and are honing-in on next week's candidate qualifying period for the 2026 General Election cycle.  The period runs from next Monday to Friday. Candidates have until then to officially qualify for state races like Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of...

California Governor Gavin Newsom came to town to stump for former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in the Georgia governor's race over the weekend. He stressed how important it is for voters to mobilize, especially in wake of the recent federal raid on Fulton County's election office.  But some comments Newsom made alongside moderator and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens sparked controversy -- a...

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 Republica...

This week on Political Breakfast, we're talking taxes.  Republican Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones introduced officially introduced legislation in the Senate to cut the state's income tax for most Georgians.  His proposal includes phasing-out the tax over the next six years, fully eliminating it by 2032. Meanwhile on the House side, there's a similar proposal to cut property taxes. Democr...

It seems like a two-way race for the Democratic nomination in Georgia's gubernatorial race, between frontrunner and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, and former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. That's as the latest polling and campaign contributions are reported.  But Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson tell host Lisa Rayam, It's not over...

On this edition of Political Breakfast, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson go live with host Lisa Rayam, to talk about the latest candidate to jump into Georgia's gubernatorial race.  It's already a crowded race on both sides. Now billionaire businessman Rick Jackson, founder and CEO of Alpharetta-based Jackson Healthcare, has made a million-dollar s...

On this week's Political Breakfast, strategists Tharon Johnson and Brian Robinson, along with prominent lawmakers like Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, traveled to Sea Island for a state Department of Natural Resources fundraiser.  However, the talk of the benefit was the recent FBI raid in Fulton County, and the seizure of 2020 election records.  Republicans like Raffenspe...

On this week's latest edition of Political Breakfast, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson go live with host Lisa Rayam, to talk about some jarring election news.  The FBI raided Fulton County’s election operations center Wednesday in Union City, in a search for voting records tied to the 2020 election.  President Donald Trump has repeatedly...