Politically Georgia

Hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy are joined by AJC senior reporter Tamar Hallerman to unpack the fallout from President Trump’s sweeping pardons for his 18 federal co-defendants in the Georgia election interference case. They explain what the move means for the stalled Fulton County prosecution, how it could affect Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, and why replacing District Attorney Fani Willis has proven so complicated. Then the show kicks off Politically Georgia’s Candidate Forum series with former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, who talks about his decision to run for governor as a Democrat, his priorities on affordability and health care, and his message to voters who want to move past Trump-era 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 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, Patricia Murphy, and Tia Mitchell discuss the Senate’s procedural vote to advance a deal that could end the record-long government shutdown and what the proposal means for Georgia. They explain why Senators Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock voted against the measure and how both parties are preparing for the political fallout. Then Greg and Tia sit down with Congressman Buddy Carter, a Republican running for U.S. Senate, to get his thoughts on the shutdown negotiations, health care subsidies, and his ongoing effort to win Donald Trump’s endorsement in Georgia’s GOP race. 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, Patricia Murphy, and Tia Mitchell tackle listener questions in a new Mailbag Monday edition of Politically Georgia. They explain why members of Congress continue to receive pay during the federal shutdown and dig into Governor Brian Kemp’s decision not to use state funds to replace frozen SNAP benefits. The hosts also discuss the growing backlash over the shutdown’s impact on Georgia families, the latest twists in the First Liberty Ponzi scheme investigation, and why most of the state’s congressional delegation is staying unusually quiet during the standoff in Washington. 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

In this insightful discussion, U.S. Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene shares her views on the ongoing government shutdown and openly criticizes GOP leadership's approach. She highlights her disagreements with Speaker Mike Johnson and insists on the need to pay essential workers during the crisis. The conversation also touches on her evolving political tone, speculating whether it's a sign of personal growth or strategy. Greene hints at her future ambitions, leaving listeners curious about her next moves in Georgia politics.

Hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy break down new results from the AJC–University of Georgia poll that show former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms as the early frontrunner in the Democratic primary for governor, while Lt. Gov. Burt Jones leads a crowded Republican field. They discuss what the numbers reveal about name recognition, fundraising power, and how undecided voters could still reshape both races. The hosts also look at the Senate race, where Congressman Mike Collins and Buddy Carter are competing for Trump-aligned voters, and explain why Jon Ossoff remains well positioned heading into 2026. 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 Congressman Tom Graves about Georgia’s Public Service Commission races and how energy policy has become one of the most important issues on the ballot. Graves explains why nuclear power could be key to meeting the state’s growing energy demand and why he thinks innovation, not partisanship, should guide Georgia’s future. Then AJC City Hall reporter Riley Bunch joins the show to preview Atlanta’s mayoral and City Council races, including Mayor Andre Dickens’ reelection bid, the competitive City Council president contest, and the issues shaping voters’ decisions from public safety to housing affordability. 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 new Mailbag Monday edition of Politically Georgia. They dig into the latest developments in the federal government shutdown, how health care subsidies became a flashpoint in Washington, and why some Georgia Republicans and Democrats are finding common ground. Hear producer Natalie Mendenhall’s new reporting on Sandy Springs’ four-way mayoral race, one of the most competitive local contests in the state. Then Greg and Tia discuss what the newest AJC poll reveals about Georgia’s independent voters — and why they could once again decide the state’s political future. 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 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