Politically Georgia

Politically Georgia hosts Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy and Bill Nigut hosted a live-to-tape recording of ‘Politically Georgia’ in Atlanta.  First up, Greg and Patricia are joined by special guests Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.  Then, Tia and Bill Nigut interview Congresswoman Lucy McBath.  Plus, Tia sits down with our AJC political contributors Carolyn J. Bourdeaux, Geoff Duncan and Meagan Myers Hanson, and Dekalb County CEO Michael Thurmond.  Links: Live AJC events  Takeaways from the AJC’s final poll before the presidential election   Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.     Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”      Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With just two weeks until Election Day, a new AJC poll shows former President Donald Trump pulling slightly ahead of Vice President Kamala Harris in Georgia. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy, and Bill Nigut speak with UGA pollster Trey Hood to unpack the numbers and what they reveal about shifting voter sentiment.Former Congressman Doug Collins, a Trump ally, joins the podcast with his take on Georgia’s battleground status and a look ahead at his potential plans for the 2026 election cycle.Plus, we explore how the Hispanic community could play a decisive role in determining the outcome of the 2024 presidential election. Brenda Lopez Romero of the Gwinnett Democrats and Republican state Senator Jason Anavitarte join us to discuss how both parties are engaging Latino voters during this critical final stretch. Links to today’s topics:Trump has a slight edge in Georgia over Harris, latest AJC poll findsAJC poll crosstabsHarris and Trump campaigns scramble to turn out Georgia votersThe first week of early voting in Georgia set daily recordsHave a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.  Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Kamala Harris is making a targeted appeal to Black men with new economic and health proposals, but will it be enough to win over this critical voting group? On today's episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, Tia Mitchell, Bill Nigut and Greg Bluestein speak with AJC reporter Ernie Suggs and Darius Jones of the National BlackEmpowerment Council to explore Harris' efforts and their potential impact. WABE political reporter Rahul Bali joins the podcast to explain Georgia’s amendments and statewide referendum to help voters cut through the legal jargon.Finally, the hosts answer your questions from the Politically Georgia listener mailbag and give you their political winners and losers in this week’s who’s up and who’s down segment.  Links to today’s topics:Barack Obama and Kamala Harris will campaign together in GeorgiaGeorgia voters will decide three statewide measure in NovemberEarly voting in Georgia 2024: See how many ballots have been cast so far Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hourPolitically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back yourquestion and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday'sepisode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A judge’s ruling has nullified seven last-minute rule changes by Georgia’s State Election Board, intensifying debate over election oversight. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, we hear from Republican board member Janelle King about the impact of the decision.    Former State Rep. Scot Turner joins the podcast to explain his legal fight against the board—and why he’s challenging members of his own party.    Plus, Democratic State Rep. Saira Draper offers her perspective on the controversy and what it means for Georgia’s election process going forward.      Links to today’s topics: Judge invalidates Georgia’s new election certification rules Republican lawsuit tries to stop new Georgia Election Board rules     Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.   Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”      Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Georgia voters are making their voices heard early—and in record numbers. On today's episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell break down the nearly 300,000 ballots already cast on the first day of early voting, shattering previous records.The conversation also covers former President Donald Trump’s two rallies in metro Atlanta, where he criticized the Biden-Harris administration’s immigration policies and called the U.S. “an occupied country.” We are joined by Elizabeth Pipko, GOP national spokeswoman, to discuss the Republican strategy in Georgia and Trump’s final push to win over voters in this battleground state.Plus, AJC election reporter Mark Niesse joins the show to unpack the latest election-related legal battles, including a Fulton County judge’s ruling against a state election board measure to hand-count ballots before reporting vote tallies. Niesse also shares excerpts from his exclusive interview with Georgia State Election Board Chairman John Fervier. Links to today’s topics:Donald Trump embraces early voting as turnout in Georgia soarsElection night hand count of ballots halted by Georgia judge‘Inappropriate and unprofessional’: Georgia Election Board chair wants his GOP peers to back downHave a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The race for Georgia is heating up with just three weeks until Election Day. On today's episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy, and Bill Nigut break down the latest moves by the 2024 presidential campaigns. Former President Trump is hosting a town hall in Forsyth tonight, and Vice President Kamala Harris will return to Georgia later this week as both candidates focus their attention on the state.We also feature an exclusive interview with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock of Georgia, who share their perspectives on the final efforts to sway Georgia voters. Plus, with early voting beginning across the state today, Rep. Buddy Carter joins the podcast to talk about the final stretch of the election and Congress’s plans for disaster aid in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton.Links to today’s topics:Polls open for early voting as Georgia preps for swing-state scrutinyHarris and Trump campaigns scramble to turn out Georgia voters2024 AJC Voter GuideHave a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The AJC's Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell take a deep dive into the role that unions are playing in this year’s presidential race. You’ll hear from Yvonne Brooks, president of Georgia’s AFL-CIO and the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, about how organized labor is shaping the political landscape both locally and nationally.Next, Tia Mitchell interviews Anna Johnson, the Washington bureau chief for the Associated Press, to explore how the AP calls the winner on election night. They discuss why this process has become the gold standard for determining the next president.Finally, a discussion about the response to the recent mass shooting at Apalachee High School. While some Republican state legislators in Georgia are open to revisiting gun safety laws, Georgia's GOP members in Congress seem less inclined to support any potential federal legislation.                                                    Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode, we begin by discussing the tragic shooting at Apalachee High School that claimed four lives. Georgia legislators, including Speaker Jon Burns, have promised to revisit gun safety and student mental health measures in the upcoming legislative session. The AJC’s Bill Nigut, Tia Mitchell, and Greg Bluestein are joined by Dr. Mark Rosenberg, a leading national advocate for stricter gun laws, to discuss the path forward for Georgia.Next, Tia Mitchell shares her interview with Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, who is campaigning in Georgia for Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the 2024 elections.Finally, it’s Friday, which means it’s time to open the listener mailbag! Bill, Tia and Greg will tackle your questions and observations about Georgia politics, followed by their picks for who’s up and who’s down this week in politics.  Links to today’s topics: Opinion: Stop blaming school shootings on evil Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

First up, AJC elections reporter Mark Niesse joins the podcast to discuss the latest developments in the controversial rules for counting votes that the state election board hasput in place just weeks before the presidential election. Then, residents of Augusta are still struggling to get back to normal after the ravages of Hurricane Helene. Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson discusses the recovery effort. And the hosts talk with Brandon Hutchinson, general manager of the Atlanta Motor Speedway, who opened the speedway campgrounds to Florida residents fleeing Hurricane Milton.  Links to today’stopics: Judge says Democrats can't make governor investigate state election boardState election board is pushing to have election skeptics monitor Fulton County ballotingGeorgia's plan to count ballots by hand could slow results but assure accuracyAugusta hospital cares for patients and staff during HeleneAugusta National sustains damage from Helene  Have a question or commentfor the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listenermailbag segment on next Friday's episode. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts,Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “playPolitically Georgia podcast.”    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As Hurricane Milton heads toward the Florida coast, lies and misinformation about FEMA’s response to recent natural disasters are being spread through the 2024 presidential campaign. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, former Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan joins us to talk about how the lies being told by Donald Trump and his Republican allies about the Biden administration and FEMA failing to respond to the needs of communities impacted by Hurricane Helene are endangering federal recovery workers and sowing doubts among those who need federal help.Then, former Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens and DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond join the podcast to discuss the latest controversial efforts by the MAGA-dominated state election board to change rules for local board vote counting and monitoring of the election.      Links to today’s topics: Geoff Duncan: Republicans don't need to lie to advance our policiesPatricia Murphy: Hurricane Donald vs. truth on Georgia recovery effortsOutrage erupts as Marjorie Taylor Green says "they" can control the weatherState election board questions how counties processed voter challengesState election board pushing election skeptics to monitor Fulton County election Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode. Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”     Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices