Politically Georgia

On this special year-end edition of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy reflect on the biggest political stories and questions of 2024 and look ahead to what’s shaping up to be an eventful 2025. What will Donald Trump’s incoming administration mean for Georgia? How will Democrats regroup after their November losses? And how will...

On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, host Bill Nigut continues our coverage of the passing of Jimmy Carter, the only Georgia-born president of the United States. Pulitzer Prize-winning author and historian Jon Meacham joins the podcast to reflect on President Carter’s remarkable life and enduring legacy. We’ll also bring you the latest updates on tr...

On this special edition of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Bill Nigut, and Patricia Murphy honor the life and legacy of President Jimmy Carter. From his humble beginnings in Plains, Georgia, to his trailblazing political career as governor and U.S. president, and his lifelong humanitarian efforts through The Carter Center, Carter’...

In this episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, host Bill Nigut walks AJC editorial cartoonist through his remarkable career, from selling insurance door-to-door to his long tenure at the AJC, where he’s won two Pulitzer Prizes for his exceptional work.   Links to today’s topics: Recent Luckovich cartoons The Luckovich portfolio of cartoons that won the 1995 Puli...

On this special Christmas edition of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy reflect on a blockbuster political year and answer your top questions from the listener mailbag. We explore the 2024 election cycle, the state Election Board, and what’s next for the economy. We also look ahead to the next legislative session, President-elec...

 The U.S. House has rejected a second attempt to pass a bill that would keep the government funded until next spring, bringing the nation closer to a partial federal shutdown. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut and Greg Bluestein discuss what this means for Georgia farmers waiting for Hurricane Helene relief and share Governor Kem...

In breaking news, the Georgia Court of Appeals has ruled that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and her office should be removed from the 2020 election interference case. This bombshell decision upends the last remaining criminal case against incoming President Donald Trump. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Patricia Murphy, Greg...

What a difference four years make. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell reflect on yesterday’s official meeting of Georgia’s 16 Republican electors at the state Capitol to confirm Donald Trump’s victory. State GOP Chairman Josh McKoon joins us to compare this smooth process to the clandestine alternate electors’ mee...

On today’s special edition of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy record from the Georgia State Capitol, where the state’s 16 Republican electors are casting their ballots for Donald Trump. The process cements Georgia’s electoral votes and is expected to proceed smoothly—unlike the contentious events of four years ago. Before tha...

With a government shutdown looming, Congress is scrambling to reach a deal before Christmas. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Tia Mitchell and Greg Bluestein speak with independent journalist Michael Jones about the weekend’s missed deadline and the prospects for a last-minute agreement. We also turn to the Georgia legislature, where the d...

On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell discuss the shocking murder of insurance executive Brian Thompson in New York City. While the crime itself has no justification, it has brought national attention to mounting frustrations over health insurance companies and their increasing barriers to claim approvals. Andy Mille...

On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Patricia Murphy, Greg Bluestein and Bill Nigut have an exclusive interview with U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff. The Democrat shares how he plans to navigate the Trump presidency as a member of the Senate minority and discusses his efforts to protect Georgia’s treasured Okefenokee swamp.   We then shift from Washin...

As President-elect Donald Trump prepares for his return to the White House, questions about his impact on the nation and his policy agenda are front and center. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Tia Mitchell and Bill Nigut talk with Rick Wilson, a co-founder of the Lincoln Project and a celebrated political strategist, about the future of t...

Georgia Congressman Rich McCormick is sparking debate with his call for the U.S. House to reconsider spending on Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy, and Bill Nigut speak with Congressman McCormick about his controversial statement and the GOP allies backing potential cu...

Transgender rights have emerged as a key topic in national and state politics, sparking passionate debate on both sides of the aisle. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell explore how transgender issues, including healthcare and participation in sports, are shaping Georgia’s legislative and political landscape. We sp...

President-elect Trump has chosen two prominent Georgians—former Senators David Perdue and Kelly Loeffler—to join his administration. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Tia Mitchell, Greg Bluestein and Bill Nigut explore what these appointments mean for Georgia and the political dynamics in Washington. We also turn to Congress, where lawmaker...

Former U.S. Senator Kelly Loeffler is heading to Washington to lead the Small Business Administration under the Trump Administration. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Patricia Murphy, Greg Bluestein and Bill Nigut examine what Loeffler’s appointment means for Georgia politics and the 2026 governor’s race. We also speak with state Rep. Tim...

Georgia Democrats are grappling with the future of their party after Donald Trump’s convincing 120,000-vote win in the state this year. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut, Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell speak with Jason Carter, the Democratic nominee for governor a decade ago, about how the party can rebuild and whether he sees h...

President Joe Biden faces bipartisan criticism for his decision to pardon his son, Hunter Biden, reversing earlier statements that he wouldn’t intervene. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy, and Bill Nigut are joined by trial lawyer Lester Akin-Tate to break down the legal and political implications of Biden’s...

Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock are facing backlash from segments of Georgia’s Jewish community for voting to cut off sales of specific armaments to Israel. Meanwhile, a liberal Jewish organization has defended the senators, arguing that claims of their lack of support for Israel are misplaced. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill...

On this special Thanksgiving edition of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy dig into the listener mailbag to answer your top political questions. We’ll reflect on the biggest moments of a blockbuster political year, including insights into the 2024 election cycle, the state Election Board, and the economic outlook. Looking ahead,...

Now that special counsel Jack Smith has asked courts to dismiss federal criminal charges against President-elect Donald Trump, what happens to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis' election-conspiracy case against Trump and his co-defendants? AJC politics reporter Shannon McCaffrey joins the podcast to discuss this topic. Then, AJC President and Publisher Andrew Morse details how the AJC wi...

 Sam Olens and Michael Thurmond discuss what the political landscape in Georgia looks like in the aftermath of President-elect Donald Trump’s convincing victory in Georgia and as candidates on both sides of the aisle prepare to run in the elections of 2026. Then, Emory University professor Andra Gillespie looks at the data showing that Gen-Z men were attracted to the Trump campaign’s emphasis on m...

Bill Nigut discusses the early entry of Republican state Attorney General Chris Carr into the 2026 race for governor and other political news making headlines. Then, Democratic state Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver joins the podcast to discuss President-elect Donald Trump’s choices for roles in cabinet and high-ranking administration positions. In the aftermath of former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz’s withdrawa...

Bentley Hudgins, director of the Georgia Human Rights Campaign, and AJC staff writer Maya T. Prabhu discuss the broader impact of the demonization of transgender individuals by Donald Trump's campaign as a weapon against Kamala Harris. And they look at the flap in the U.S. House over which bathroom the first transgender member of Congress should be allowed to use. Plus, they talk about whether any...