Politically Georgia

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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. 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 [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell break down a dramatic primary night in Georgia, where several of the state’s biggest races are now headed to high stakes runoffs. They examine Derek Dooley’s surprise surge into the GOP Senate runoff against Mike Collins, the outsider message reshaping Republican politics, and why Gov. Brian Kemp remains such a powerful force in the race. The episode also dives into Keisha Lance Bottoms’ dominant victory in the Democratic governor’s primary, the bruising Republican governor’s contest between Burt Jones and Rick Jackson, and what the results say about the direction of Georgia’s electorate 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 [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On Georgia’s high-stakes primary day, Greg Bluestein is joined by Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell to break down the races most likely to shape the state’s political future. They examine whether billionaire candidate Rick Jackson can buy his way into a GOP governor runoff, whether former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms can avoid overtime in the Democratic race, and why Georgia’s Supreme Court contests have become unexpectedly fierce political battlegrounds. Then Greg speaks with Steve Kornacki, chief data analyst for NBC News, about the turnout numbers, counties and warning signs he’ll be watching as results roll in Tuesday night — and what Georgia’s electorate could signal for national 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 [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On the eve of Georgia’s primary, Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell dig into listener questions about the races, controversies and legal fights shaping Tuesday’s vote. They explain why judicial races can be confusing on the ballot, unpack backlash to a provocative ad from gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson, and break down why Brad Raffensperger isn’t leaning harder into his 2020 election record as he runs for governor. They also examine fallout from the First Liberty Building & Loan fraud case, what the latest Voting Rights Act ruling could mean for Georgia’s political maps, and the biggest unanswered questions heading into primary night. 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 [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy break down Gov. Brian Kemp’s final bill-signing deadline and why his latest decisions offered a clear window into how he wants to leave office. They unpack his sweeping income tax cut package, the $300 million in new spending he slashed from the budget, and what those cuts reveal about his long-term fiscal strategy as Georgia’s next governor’s race heats up. They also examine Kemp’s decision to sign a controversial measure making certain metro Atlanta races nonpartisan, setting up a legal clash with Fani Willis and other Democratic prosecutors. Plus, they discuss a new transparency law targeting legislative misconduct settlements and why Georgia’s new school cellphone restrictions could have broad support. 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 [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy break down the increasingly volatile race for second place in Georgia’s governor’s contest, where Democrats are scrambling to emerge as the strongest alternative to Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republicans remain locked in an expensive fight over who can take on Burt Jones. They dig into Michael Thurmond’s pitch to cut the state sales tax, why Jason Esteves may be gaining momentum, and why so many Democratic voters remain undecided just days before the primary. Then Greg and Patricia turn to the Democratic race for lieutenant governor, where Josh McLaurin, Nabilah Islam Parkes and Richard Wright are battling for a job that suddenly carries much higher stakes in Georgia politics. They also discuss why a Democratic win in either race could trigger a major power struggle under the Gold Dome. 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 [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy examine why Georgia’s lieutenant governor race has become one of the most revealing contests of the 2026 cycle. They break down the Republican field, from insider-outsider candidates like Greg Dolezal to more establishment-aligned contenders such as John F. Kennedy. Then Greg and Patricia speak with Kennedy about tax relief, redistricting, voting machines and how he would handle one of the most powerful jobs under the Gold Dome. 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 [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Bluestein hosts alongside Patricia Murphy as they answer listener questions ahead of Georgia’s May 19 primaries. They dig into early voting numbers, high undecided rates, Rick Jackson’s massive spending and Keisha Lance Bottoms’ answer on whether she would serve two terms. They also examine Fulton County’s latest 2020 election fight, Republican pressure on Gov. Brian Kemp over redistricting and why Democrats are investing heavily in Georgia’s judicial 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 [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell break down the political fallout from a sweeping U.S. Supreme Court ruling that weakens a key section of the Voting Rights Act and could reshape Georgia’s political maps. They examine why Republicans are already eyeing new congressional and legislative districts, why Gov. Brian Kemp says new maps won’t come before the 2026 elections, and which Democratic-held seats could be most vulnerable in a future redraw. Then Greg and Tia speak with Georgia State University constitutional law professor Eric Segall about what the ruling means for minority representation, why he believes the decision could have long-term consequences beyond Congress, and where legal fights could move next. 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 [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy break down the latest AJC poll of Georgia Democrats and why Keisha Lance Bottoms holds a commanding lead in the governor’s race without locking up the nomination. They examine the scramble for second place between Michael Thurmond, Jason Esteves and Geoff Duncan, and what the large bloc of undecided voters could mean for a runoff. They also dig into what the poll reveals about Democratic voters’ deep opposition to Donald Trump, rising economic anxiety and growing backlash to AI-driven data centers across 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 [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Bluestein hosts with Patricia Murphy to dig into the AJC’s new polling on Georgia’s Republican races for governor and U.S. Senate. They size up Rick Jackson’s close contest with Burt Jones, the large share of undecided voters and what the numbers suggest about Donald Trump’s influence in the GOP primary. They also weigh Mike Collins’ lead in the Senate race, Buddy Carter’s attacks and Derek Dooley’s challenge in turning Brian Kemp’s support into broader momentum. 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 [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy answer listener questions with producer Shane Backler, starting with how competitive Democratic primaries could change the usual crossover voting patterns in Georgia. They also examine whether a recent Supreme Court ruling could trigger another round of redistricting, why Rick Jackson is already targeting Keisha Lance Bottoms, and what counted as a win in the latest Republican Senate debate. The episode also looks at DSA-backed candidates challenging Georgia Democrats, skepticism around prediction markets, and the race to replace the late Congressman David Scott. Shane shares remembrance tape from Marcye Scott and Calvin Smyre on David Scott’s legacy and long ties to his district. 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 [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Bluestein hosts alongside Patricia Murphy as Georgia Supreme Court Justice Sarah Hawkins Warren discusses her reelection campaign and warns about partisan pressure on officially nonpartisan judicial races. Warren also talks about her recent breast cancer diagnosis, her work on the court and why she says Georgia’s judiciary should not become another political branch of government. Then Tia Mitchell talks with Congressman Clay Fuller, Georgia’s newest member of Congress, after his special election win to succeed Marjorie Taylor Greene. Fuller discusses his first days in Washington, his focus on rural North Georgia and the viral hotel air-conditioning video he says was meant as satire. 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 [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Greg Bluestein hosts with Patricia Murphy for a look at two major Republican debates in the Atlanta Press Club Loudermilk-Young Debate Series. They break down the sharp exchanges between Burt Jones and Rick Jackson in the governor’s race, including attacks over immigration, campaign money and allegations tied to Jones’ use of power. Greg and Patricia also examine the Republican U.S. Senate debate, where Buddy Carter and Mike Collins clashed over an ethics complaint while Derek Dooley tried to position himself as an outsider alternative. 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 [email protected]. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices