Politically Georgia

Georgia’s election night hinges on who turns out today and how far voters split their tickets. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, Greg Bluestein, with Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell, examines what early voting signals for the Senate and governor’s races and why initial returns could be misleading. They also discuss whether Democratic gains could extend to other statewide offices and legislative seats. Plus, what the governor’s race could mean for a potential special session on redistricting and executive powers.

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 PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com.

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With Election Day approaching, Georgia Democrats are showing new confidence while Republicans raise concerns about early voting trends. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, Greg Bluestein, alongside Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell, examines whether Barack Obama’s rally in metro Atlanta could help Democrats carry that momentum into Tuesday. They also answer listener questions about record early turnout, what to watch as election results come in and whether Rick Jackson’s shifting relationship with Donald Trump could hurt his campaign for governor. Plus, could Jon Ossoff rise to Senate leadership, and is Georgia really finished with election runoffs?

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 PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com.

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Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy examine the race for Georgia lieutenant governor and the competing priorities of Democratic state Sen. Josh McLaurin and Republican state Sen. Greg Dolezal. McLaurin joins them to discuss his plans for working with a Republican-controlled Senate, expanding Medicaid and addressing affordability. Dolezal was unable to join because of scheduling conflicts, but Greg and Patricia examine his positions through clips from the Atlanta Press Club debate and a recent Trump rally in Dalton. They also dig into the candidates' differences over income taxes, data centers and school vouchers, and what those disagreements could mean for Georgia's next legislative session.

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 PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com.

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An FBI raid. Boxes of ballots. And an affidavit that pulled Georgia back into the battles of 2020.

In Episode 2, AJC reporters follow the evidence behind the Fulton County investigation and unpack how skeptics, activists, lawmakers, and election officials have spent years fighting over what really happened.

The result is a story about how Georgia became ground zero in America's struggle over election trust, and why that fight is still shaping the future of voting.

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It had been almost three decades since Georgia backed a Democratic presidential candidate. Then, in 2020, it flipped.

As Joe Biden's narrow victory emerged, false claims of voter fraud spread across the state, turning Fulton County into the center of a national firestorm.

AJC reporters Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy, David Wickert and Tia Mitchell take listeners inside the recounts, conspiracy theories, threats against election workers, and the pressure campaign that culminated in Donald Trump's infamous call to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. It's the story of how Georgia became the epicenter of "Stop the Steal" and why the fight didn't end when the votes were counted.

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In the final installment of Georgia's Choice, Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy examine why culture war issues have taken a back seat to affordability in Georgia's 2026 elections. They dig into Republican Senate candidate Mike Collins' evolving position on abortion exceptions and the competing approaches to abortion and gun laws in the governor's race. They also weigh how transgender rights remain a political flashpoint and what Keisha Lance Bottoms could realistically accomplish with a Republican-controlled Legislature.

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 PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com.

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With Election Day approaching, Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy and Tia Mitchell dig into the competing strategies to drive turnout across Georgia. They examine Donald Trump's latest rally, his announcement of a $4.2 billion Audi plant and the political balancing act facing Republican gubernatorial nominee Rick Jackson. They also weigh Republican concerns about sluggish early voting in rural Georgia and the potential impact of Trump's remarks about withholding federal help from political opponents. Meanwhile, Democrats are bringing Barack Obama and Kamala Harris to Georgia in hopes of boosting turnout for Jon Ossoff, Keisha Lance Bottoms and the rest of the ticket.

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 PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com.

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With Election Day approaching, early voting numbers are raising questions about whether Republicans can close a growing turnout gap in Democratic-leaning areas. On today's Politically Georgia, Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy examine what the numbers reveal and why it's still too early to draw conclusions. They also explore how split-ticket voting could affect Georgia's closely contested down-ballot races, explain a new election rule requiring handwritten voter lists and discuss the attorney general's role in investigating local corruption. Plus, could Gov. Brian Kemp's embrace of data centers become a defining part of his legacy?

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 PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com.

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A new AJC poll shows Sen. Jon Ossoff with an eight-point lead over Republican Mike Collins, even as Georgia's governor's race remains deadlocked. Host Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy dig into what Ossoff's advantage could mean for down-ballot Republicans and what voters think about potential 2028 presidential bids from Georgia political figures. They also examine growing bipartisan concerns about artificial intelligence, new data centers and license plate surveillance cameras, with voters signaling they want more oversight.

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 PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com.

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Georgia's next secretary of state will play a critical role in shaping how Georgians vote in 2028. Host Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy sit down with Democratic nominee Penny Brown Reynolds to discuss federal intervention in Georgia elections, voting security and her plans to restore public confidence. Republican nominee Tim Fleming declined an invitation to join, but Greg and Patricia examine his positions through remarks from a recent Trump rally and the Atlanta Press Club debate. They dig into where the candidates differ on absentee voting, paper ballots and the future of Georgia's elections.

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 PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com.

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In the latest installment of our Georgia’s Choice series, Greg Bluestein is joined by AJC political reporter Riley Bunch to examine the races further down the ballot that could reshape Georgia politics. They look at the contests for lieutenant governor, secretary of state and attorney general, along with other statewide offices that have a direct impact on voters’ lives. Plus, Democrats are targeting Republican-held seats in the Georgia House, hoping to chip away at the GOP majority or potentially flip the chamber. Greg and Riley break down the key battleground districts and what a shift in power could mean for the next legislative session.

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 PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com.

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A new Atlanta Journal-Constitution poll shows Republican Rick Jackson and Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms in a statistical tie, despite Jackson’s massive spending advantage. Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy break down the numbers, including Democratic enthusiasm, undecided independent voters and President Donald Trump’s declining approval rating in Georgia. They also share their takeaways from Trump’s rally in Dalton, where Jackson and Republican Senate nominee Mike Collins took noticeably different approaches to the president. Plus, why Gov. Brian Kemp’s soaring approval rating could be one of Jackson’s biggest assets in the final stretch of the campaign.

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 PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com.

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With early voting underway in Georgia, Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy tackle questions from listeners about some of the biggest issues on the November ballot. They break down confusing constitutional amendments, proposed tax breaks for farmland and the debate over removing party labels from certain local elections. They also examine Rick Jackson’s past political donations, his evolving relationship with Donald Trump and how his proposed tax cuts could affect public school funding. Plus, why a request for federal intervention in Georgia’s voting machines is raising concerns just weeks before Election Day.

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 PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com.

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Greg Bluestein is joined by Tim Miller, host of The Bulwark podcast, to unpack why Jon Ossoff is polling so far ahead of Republican Mike Collins while Georgia’s governor’s race remains competitive. Miller weighs the contrasting strategies of Rick Jackson and Keisha Lance Bottoms, the role of Donald Trump and whether Ossoff could emerge as a presidential contender. They also dig into the possibility of a broader Democratic wave, the importance of voter turnout and what Georgia’s races could reveal about the national political landscape. Plus, Miller previews The Bulwark’s October 20 live showat The Eastern in Atlanta.

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 PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com.

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Georgia's U.S. Senate race takes a sharply personal turn as Jon Ossoff and Mike Collins face off in a heated second debate. Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy break down the attacks, Collins' answers on abortion and an ethics investigation, and Ossoff's pledge to serve a full six-year term if reelected. Plus, President Donald Trump's upcoming rally in Dalton puts Republican gubernatorial nominee Rick Jackson in a difficult position as he tries to appeal to both Trump loyalists and more independent voters. And with early voting underway, they examine the competing Republican strategies for turning out voters in 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 PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com.

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What can Georgia's next governor actually do about traffic, transit and the billions being spent on highway projects? Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy dig into the competing transportation priorities of Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson with AJC transportation reporter Sara Gregory. Tia Mitchell also shares highlights from her earlier interview with MARTA CEO Jonathan Hunt, who is making a renewed push for state funding. They examine what it would take to win over skeptical lawmakers amid concerns about MARTA's spending and safety.

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 PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com.

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Georgia’s next attorney general will decide which legal fights to pursue and how to keep politics from shaping those decisions. Greg Bluestein, with Patricia Murphy, interviews Democratic Rep. Tanya Miller and Republican state Sen. Brian Strickland about their experience and priorities. Tanya emphasizes her prosecution record and consumer protection, while Brian points to his legal practice and legislative work on public safety. Both face questions about challenging Washington, defending state laws and holding members of their own party accountable.

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 PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com.

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Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell break down the first Senate debate between Democrat Jon Ossoff and Republican Mike Collins, including the personal attacks, disputes over immigration and Collins’ close alignment with Donald Trump. They size up Ossoff’s aggressive strategy, Collins’ defense of his record and what the debate could mean for the race. They also answer listener questions about a possible presidential run by Ossoff, the connection between Georgia’s Senate and governor’s races, and the latest tensions surrounding the State Election Board.

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 PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com.

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Greg Bluestein sits down with MS NOW’s Chris Hayes to examine what Georgia’s closely watched midterm races could reveal about the country’s changing political landscape. Hayes makes the case that Jon Ossoff could emerge as a 2028 presidential contender and discusses how Ossoff has navigated one of the Democratic Party’s most difficult divides over Israel. They also explore Mike Collins’ strategy of mobilizing Trump-aligned voters, the political fallout from the Iran war and what Democrats are doing differently 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 PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com.

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Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy break down the first and likely only gubernatorial debate between Republican Rick Jackson and Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, including Jackson’s shift away from Donald Trump and repeated embrace of Gov. Brian Kemp. They examine the candidates’ clashes over data centers, election security and their records, along with Bottoms’ effort to make trust a central issue in the race. Greg and Patricia also preview the first Senate debate between Jon Ossoff and Mike Collins and what each candidate faces heading into the matchup.
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 PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com.

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