Politically Georgia

Georgia’s 2026 Senate race just got a major jolt. The AJC’s Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell analyze Governor Brian Kemp’s full-throated endorsement of Derek Dooley, delivered at a hometown UGA tailgate. They explore why Kemp is betting on the political newcomer, how Dooley’s football past is shaping his campaign, and why critics say he still lacks a clear pitch to voters. The hosts also examine Bu...

The AJC’s Greg Bluestein sits down with Georgia Congressman Buddy Carter as he launches his campaign for U.S. Senate. Carter lays out why he believes he’s the strongest Republican to take on Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, touts his business and political experience, leans on his loyalty to Donald Trump, and addresses big policy issues from drug prices and Medicaid to immigration, Israel and abortion....

The AJC’s Patricia Murphy and Greg Bluestein are joined by Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson to break down the fast-developing 2026 races. On the Senate side, they weigh the rise of Congressman Mike Collins, the challenge from Derek Dooley, and the role of Buddy Carter in the Republican primary. Then the panel shifts to the governor’s race, where Democra...

Hosts Patricia Murphy and Greg Bluestein talk with Fulton County Commissioners Mo Ivory and Dana Barrett about their defiance of a court order to seat two Republican nominees to the county elections board, the contempt ruling against them, and what it all means for Georgia’s upcoming elections. Then, Greg sits down with state Rep. Tanya Miller, who has launched her campaign for attorney general, t...

Hosts Greg Bluestein and Riley Bunch break down Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones’ official entry into the race for Georgia governor, his deep ties to Donald Trump and what that means for a crowded GOP field. They also look at how Jones’ candidacy could reshape city-state relations in Atlanta, from Buckhead cityhood to airport control, and why Mayor Andre Dickens is carefully navigating federal polit...

On this Washington Wednesday edition of Politically Georgia, host Tia Mitchell examines the legality and politics behind President Trump’s decision to activate the National Guard in Washington, D.C. Georgia State law professor Anthony Michael Kreis explains why the move is raising constitutional concerns and whether it could happen in cities like Atlanta or Chicago. Later, Tia turns to the economy...

Hosts Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell break down Congressman Mike Collins’ high-profile Senate campaign kickoff and what it signals about Republican divisions in Georgia. They also take a closer look at Vice President J.D. Vance’s visit to Peachtree City, where he pitched President Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” as a tax cut for working families while Democrats warn about Medicaid and food stamp cu...

Greg Bluestein travels to Gainesville, Georgia, where he sits down with Republican Senate candidate Derek Dooley. Dooley offers a wide-ranging interview about his stance on immigration, the Middle East, term-limits, and his latest meeting with President Donald Trump.  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...

Tia Mitchell and Greg Bluestein discuss Vice President JD Vance’s planned trip to  Peachtree City on Thursday to promote what President Donald Trump calls his “big, beautiful bill.” Then, AJC election guru Mark Niesse joins the duo to talk about a recent mass cancellation of voter registrations and what Georgia voters can do to if their registration was canceled.  Have a question or comment for th...

It’s Washington Wednesday. First up, Tia Mitchell talks to Mayor Van Johnson, who is president of the African American Mayors Association. Johnson gives his thoughts on the Trump administration’s attempt to take over the Washington D.C.'s police department. Then, Tia Mitchell talks to U.S. Rep. Ro Khanna, D-Calif., about his latest rally in Georgia, his push to release the Epstein files and if he’...

Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, and Patricia Murphy talk about President Donald Trump backing Georgia Lt. Governor Burt Jones in the race for governor. Then, the trio moves on to U.S. Rep Mike Collin’s comments about his Senate rivals Derek Dooley and U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter. Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll p...

Tia Mitchell, Greg Bluestein, and producer ShaneyB open the listener mailbag to talk about the most pressing stories in Georgia politics. They cover missed opportunities for federal climate grants, the impact of the CDC shooting, and the latest developments in the race for governor. Along the way, they tackle voting rights, foreign policy, and local election coverage. Have a question or comment fo...

On this episode of Politically Georgia, hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy, and Tia Mitchell sit down with former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond, who recently entered the Democratic race for Georgia governor. Thurmond reflects on lessons from past campaigns, his vision for bridging political divides, and the urgent issues he says Georgia must address — from Medicaid expansion to rural econo...

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...