Politically Georgia

It’s runoff election day here in Georgia and on today’s edition of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Patricia Murphy and Bill Nigut are keeping close watch on some of the tightest races in the state. AJC election reporter Mark Niesse gives a rundown of the races on today’s primary runoff ballots. The showdown that’s grabbed headlines pits former Trump administration official Brian Jack, who has won the endorsement of Donald Trump and an array of MAGA luminaries, against state senator Mike Dugan for the open seat in the 3rd congressional district. There are also eight legislative races up for grabs today, plus the primary runoff race for DeKalb County CEO, which will most likely be decided in today’s vote.Later today Vice President Kamala Harris is back in Atlanta highlighting the Biden administration’s commitment to gun safety laws in a conversation with rapper Quavo, whose nephew was shot to death two years ago.  Former White House advisor to Vice President Kamala Harris, Jamal Simmons joins the podcast as the vice president returns to talk about the work to motivate Black voters to turn out at the polls for President Biden.Plus, a shocking gun murder at South Georgia’s Smith State prison adds to the number of violent incidents occurring at Georgia prisons. Now, Governor Kemp has called for an outside organization to do a complete study of the ongoing problems in state penal institutions.Links to today’s topics:Here are the races on today's runoff ballotsTrump-backed Brian Jack faces Senator Mike Dugan in GOP runoffHarris to headline Juneteenth block partyVP and Quavo meet for talk on ending gun violenceHow a murder/suicide at Smith State prison shocked state officialsHave a question 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.”  CreditsExecutive Producer- Shane BacklerProducer- Natalie MendenhallEngineer- Matt McWilliamsEditor- Matt Owen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Biden and Donald Trump had starkly contrasting campaign events this past weekend. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, Host Bill Nigut and special co-host Tamar Hallerman look at the weekend campaign events of Joe Biden and Donald Trump. In Detroit, Trump courts Black voters by falsely accusing Biden of being the main force behind the 1994 crime bill and claimed Biden pushed the “super predator” measure aimed at Black crime. President Biden was in Los Angeles, where he attended a fundraiser where he was praised by some of the biggest names in Hollywood as well as former President Barack Obama. Meg Kinnard, national politics reporter, AP, Chuck Williams, WRBL Columbus, reporter, Georgia State University professor Tammy Greer join in on the conversation.   Then, a look at Georgia congressional GOP runoffs that will be decided in tomorrow’s election.  Former Trump administration official Brian Jack squares off against state senator Mike Dugan for the open seat in the 3rd congressional district; and Chuck Hand, convicted of a misdemeanor criminal action, is facing Wayne Johnson for the GOP nomination in the 2nd congressional district.   Plus, Tamar and Bill look at reaction from Georgia elected officials to the Supreme Court’s ruling overturning the trump-era ban on bump stocks for guns.     Links to today’s topics Trump courts Black voters in Detroit Biden raises millions in glittery Hollywood fundraiser Trump-backed Brian Jack faces Senator Mike Dugan in GOP runoff Jan.6 rioter in 2nd district GOP congressional runoff  SCOTUS overturns ban on bump stocks   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.”    Credits Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Matt McWilliams Editor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Speaker of the Georgia House Jon Burns has announced he’llsupport legislation protecting in vitro fertilization in Georgia. On today’sepisode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast,hosts Bill Nigut and Patricia Murphy discuss the speaker’s announcement and howa similar measure was blocked by Republicans in the U.S. Senate.But first, Lauren Groh-Wargo, CEO of Fair Fight Action, thevoting rights and grassroots activist organization founded by Stacey Abramsjoins the podcast to discuss a new initiative designed to recruit Georgians to- in their words - “empower everyday Americans to support voters and protectour democratic process from election deniers and conspiracy theorists trying totear our country apart.” Groh-Wargo told the podcast that Fair Fight will alsowork to build a grassroots army of volunteers to turn out voters for Joe Biden.Plus, Patricia reports on the controversy roiling aroundGeorgia House minority leader James Beverly, who has been accused by a staffmember of sexual harassment.Then, as we do every Friday, Bill and Patricia answerlistener questions from the Politically Georgia Mailbag and give you theirwinners and losers of the week during Who’s Up and Who’s Down.Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hourPolitically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll playback your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on nextFriday's episode. Links to today’s topicsGeorgiahouse speaker vows legislation to protect access to IVF treatmentsSupremeCourt preserves access to abortion pillFemalehouse Democrats incensed over accusations of sexual harassment against minorityleader  Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at ApplePodcasts, Spotify, orwherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “playPolitically Georgia podcast.”  CreditsExecutive Producer- Shane BacklerProducer- Natalie MendenhallEngineer- Matt McWilliamsEditor- Devan Kortan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In an exclusive interview on CNN’s “The Source”, formerFulton County special prosecutor Nathan Wade tells Kaitlan Collins that he isnot to blame for the delay of the Fulton County case against former PresidentDonald Trump. On today’s episode of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’sPolitically Georgia podcast, Kaitlan Collins joins hosts Bill Nigut and GregBluestein to discuss her exclusive interview with Nathan Wade.But first, Ari Berman joins the podcast to discuss his newbook “Minority Rule, the Right-Wing Attack on the Will of the People and theFight to Resist It.” Berman describes the way in which the Founding Fathers, inan attempt to establish majority rule but at the same time protect the rightsof the minority of Americans, began a long road to today, as Republicans pushforward initiatives that he asserts thwart the rights of the majority of peoplein the country.Then, University of Georgia political science professorCharles Bullock expands on Ari Berman’s observations, citing gerrymandering andother mechanisms used to maintain single-party power in Georgia.Links to topicsGuardian review of "Minority Rule"Ari Berman booksKaitlan Collins interview with Nathan WadeHave a question for the show? Call the 24-hourPolitically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll playback your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on nextFriday's episode.   Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at ApplePodcasts, Spotify, orwherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “playPolitically Georgia podcast.”  CreditsExecutive Producer- Shane BacklerProducer- Natalie MendenhallEngineer- Matt McWilliamsEditor- Devan Kortan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The U.S. Supreme Court is about to roll on rulings on a number of cases that will be of historic significance. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, host Bill Nigut and special co-host Tamar Hallerman look at some of the historically significant cases: Is Donald Trump immune from criminal charges for alleged crimes committed while he was in office? Two of the top cases the court will act upon Ask consequential questions: Were January 6 rioters who have been charged and, in many cases, convicted of criminal actions wrongly prosecuted under a law that should not have been used against them? Emory University Professor of Constitutional Law Fred Smith and Georgia State University Professor of Political Science Amy Steigerwalt weigh in on these pending decisions.   AJC education columnist Maureen Downey also joins the podcast to look at a disturbing trend: Fewer college graduates are choosing to go into careers as teachers. Maureen cites numerous reasons for this and explains why a scarcity of teachers is harmful to student learning.   Plus, MAGA Republicans are continuing to claim the Justice Department has been weaponized to attack Donald Trump even as President Biden’s son Hunter has now been convicted of three felony offenses that could lead to significant prison sentences.   Links to today’s topics Major Supreme Court ruling soon to be announced Downey: We need teaching to be 'doable' What's next for Hunter Biden after conviction?   Have a question 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.”    Credits Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Micah Middleton Editor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy and Bill Nigut sit down with Brian Kemp political adviser Cody Hall to discuss how Kemp may be preparing for his next step in political life. The governor is holding national fundraisers, announces he’ll attend Republican National convention and looks for other opportunities to expand his national profile.   We also hear from former Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin as she talks about the history of Atlanta’s troubled water system and how she raised $3 billion to make massive repairs to the sewage system during her tenure.   Plus, hear what Vice President Kamala Harris’ hopes to accomplish when she makes yet another visit to Atlanta this week. And they discuss the factors that are shaping the GOP runoff election for Georgia’s 3rd congressional district.   Links to today’s topics Brian Kemp plots steps that could shape his political future Shirley Franklin 'sewer mayor' Mayor Dickens calls water crisis a 'wake up call'   Have a question 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.”    Credits Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Matt McWilliams  Editor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A recent Pew poll shows that Black voters support President Biden over former President Trump in the 2024 election by a wide margin, but not as wide as four years ago. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, host Bill Nigut and special co-host, Tamar Hallerman, are joined by AJC enterprise reporter Ernie Suggs for a discussion of the complicated choices Black men are facing as they decide on voting in the race between Donald Trump and Joe Biden. Ernie also shares insights from his interview with Morehouse College president David Thomas, who worked to navigate the controversy around President Biden’s visit to Morehouse as graduation speaker.   Also on today’s podcast, Professor Gillespie offers insights about whether the Trump guilty verdict in the Manhattan hush money trial is moving voters away from the former president.   And later, GOP candidate Chuck Hand, who is in a runoff for the GOP 2nd congressional district nomination, walks off the stage moments into the debate with his opponent Wayne Johnson. Bill and Tamar explain why.   Links to today’s topics Morehouse president on Biden visit: It made us stronger Pew poll of Black voters New CBS poll has Biden making incremental gains since Trump verdict January 6 rioter walks off stage in GOP 2nd district congressional debate   Have a question 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.”    Credits Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Matt McWilliams  Editor- Matt Owen  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Senate Republicans this week voted down a Democratic measuredesigned to protect women’s access to contraception. Now, Democrats plan tocall for a vote to protect the right to in vitro fertilization. On today’sepisode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast,hosts Bill Nigut and Greg Bluestein are joined by former Democratic stateSenator Jen Jordan to discuss the role she believes women’s reproductive rightswill play in the 2024 elections.Bill and Greg later examine polls taken after Donald Trump’scriminal conviction in the Manhattan hush money trial to determine whether thetrial’s outcome has changed the shape of the race between President Biden andformer President Trump.And as we do every Friday, hear answers to your questionsfrom the Politically Georgia listener mailbag and give their picks for who’s upand who’s down this week.Links to today’s topicsRepublicanstank contraceptive bill in U.S. SenateTrumpverdict swings few voters to Biden: QuinnipiacQuinnipiacGeorgia pollHave a question for the show? Call the 24-hourPolitically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll playback your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on nextFriday's episode.   Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at ApplePodcasts, Spotify, orwherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “playPolitically Georgia podcast.”  CREDITS Executive Producer- Shane BacklerProducer- Natalie MendenhallEngineer- Matt McWiliams Editor- Devan Kortan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens joined the show after lifting the boil water advisory for the city. The announcement comes after water main breaks plagued Atlanta for days. He addresses critics who say he waited far too long to communicate to businesses and residents about the extent of the problem and how the city was moving to repair it. And he speaks to the need for finding billions of dollars to rebuild much of the decaying water infrastructure. Then, Former Georgia Lt. Governor Geoff Duncan joins the podcast to discuss his AJC essay calling on Republicans to use the criminal conviction of Donald Trump to reject his bid for the White House.  Plus, Atlanta immigration attorney Charles Kuck looks at whether President Biden’s new executive order limiting the number of immigrants who can apply for asylum will be effective.  Links to topics Dickens says water crisis not his fault, but is his problem Geoff Duncan: Republicans have another chance to turn away from Trump Biden issues order to restrict immigration    Have a question 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.”    CREDITS  Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Matt McWiliams  Editor-Devan Kortan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Atlanta City Council President Doug Shipman discusses the fallout from the city water main breaks, including the response to the crisis by city officials. He also talks about the water system infrastructure, which in some cases includes pipes that are more than a century old.   Then, the podcast welcomes former state Sen. Mike Dugan, who is in a runoff for the Republican nomination for Georgia’s 3rd district U.S. House seat. Dugan addresses why he wants the job and responds to questions about the challenge of facing opponent Brian Jack, who has a strong endorsement from Donald Trump.  Plus, Georgia State University professor Anthony Michael Kreis joins a conversation about the next steps in the Fulton County election conspiracy case. Tamar Hallerman discusses the three-judge state court of appeals panel that will take up an appeal from defendants who are asking the court to overturn a ruling that allows Fulton County DA Fani Willis to remain on the case despite alleged conflicts.  Links to topics An overview of the impact of the water main breaks  Trump-backed Brian Jack and Senator Mike Dugan land in runoff for 3rd congressional district seat Meet the Georgia judges who will hear appeal of challenge to Fulton DA Fani Willis Georgia appeals court sets tentative date to hear appeal asking for Willis' removal from Trump election conspiracy case   Have a question 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.”    CREDITS  Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Matt McWiliams  Editor-Matt Owen   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices