Politically Georgia

Host Greg Bluestein talks with Washington correspondent Tia Mitchell about the month-long federal government shutdown and its growing impact across Georgia. They discuss how unpaid federal workers, food assistance cuts, and airline staffing shortages are putting new pressure on both parties to reach a deal. Then Greg speaks with Democratic Public Service Commission candidate Peter Hubbard about his campaign to challenge Georgia’s GOP energy regulators. Hubbard explains why he believes data centers should pay more for electricity, how the state can better manage energy costs, and what he would do to lower power bills for Georgians. 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. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy break down the latest AJC–University of Georgia poll that shows where Georgia voters stand heading into 2026. Democrats rank the economy and standing up to Donald Trump as their top issues, while Republicans focus on immigration and public safety. The hosts also discuss why Governor Brian Kemp continues to draw support from some Democrats and what that says about his political staying power. In the second half, they explain why state lawmakers are holding off on redrawing congressional maps and how a pending Supreme Court decision could change the rules for redistricting across the South. 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. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy break down new results from the AJC–University of Georgia poll showing Donald Trump’s support among Republicans holding strong and Democrats still deeply opposed — signs that Georgia’s political divide remains firmly in place heading into 2026. Then Patricia shares her reporting from the campaign trail with Democratic gubernatorial candidate Michael Thurmond, who’s pitching himself as a “fixer” focused on consensus, competence, and inspiring disillusioned voters. From his sermons in Columbus to his statewide travels, Thurmond is betting that experience and optimism can still win Georgia Democrats back. 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. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell take listener questions in a wide-ranging Mailbag Monday edition of Politically Georgia. They discuss the rise of up-and-coming Democratic hopefuls like LaMario Brown, early voting logistics in the Public Service Commission race, and whether party veterans like former Gov. Roy Barnes still shape Georgia politics. Then they answer questions about the Republican Party’s struggle to balance its pro-business legacy with the cultural conservatism driving today’s base — and what that tension means for Georgia’s future 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. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell discuss the growing fallout in Washington as the federal shutdown stretches into its fourth week. Tia shares her latest reporting from Capitol Hill, where Senator Jon Ossoff defends his votes amid Republican criticism and Senator Raphael Warnock calls for civility in politics after new revelations of racist text messages from a Trump nominee. 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. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy talk with former Congresswoman Carolyn Bourdeaux about her call for Democrats to move beyond identity politics and focus on a unifying message that appeals to Georgia’s diverse electorate. Bourdeaux explains why she thinks the party risks alienating moderate voters and praises candidates who can “seize the center.” Then Greg speaks with A’shanti Gholar, president and CEO of Emerge, about training and supporting women candidates nationwide — including several in Georgia — and why she believes representation and authenticity remain the keys to political progress. 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. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy take listeners inside a surprising scene in Atlanta politics — a farewell dinner for former Buckhead City leader Bill White and former U.S. Senate candidate Herschel Walker, both newly appointed by Donald Trump to diplomatic posts. Patricia shares what she observed as former rivals offered unexpected praise and raised questions about White’s political future. Then the hosts turn to Trump’s latest comments on Georgia’s 2026 Senate race and how his next move could shape the contest between Derek Dooley, Mike Collins, and 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 play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Former state senator and 2014 Democratic nominee for governor Jason Carter joins Politically Georgia host Greg Bluestein to discuss why he’s endorsing Jason Esteves for governor, how Democrats can compete statewide, and what lessons his party should take from Georgia’s political shifts. Carter also reflects on his family’s health challenges and the legacy of his grandfather, President Jimmy Carter. Then Tia Mitchell joins Greg to tackle listener questions about Georgia Power rate hikes, the Public Service Commission race, judicial elections, and Hatch Act violations inside the federal government. 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. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell examine the growing toll of the federal government shutdown on Georgia’s CDC workforce. Producer Natalie Mendenhall brings powerful voices from inside the agency, where hundreds of scientists have faced firings, reversals, and weeks without pay. Then Greg and Tia talk with Yolanda Jacobs, a union leader representing CDC employees, about what she calls a “figurative beheading” of the agency and how politics in Washington are threatening public health and morale 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. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Greg Bluestein breaks down how Georgia’s 2026 Senate race is taking shape amid the federal shutdown. Republicans Derek Dooley, Mike Collins, and Buddy Carter are all targeting Senator Jon Ossoff, accusing him of putting partisanship over reopening the government. Ossoff, meanwhile, is doubling down on health care and cost-of-living issues to defend his record. Then co-host Patricia Murphy joins Greg and AJC City Hall reporter Riley Bunch to preview Atlanta’s elections, from Mayor Andre Dickens’ reelection bid to the fierce City Council president race between Marci Collier Overstreet and Rohit Malhotra. 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. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices