Politically Georgia

New allegations against District Attorney Fani Willis energize critics of Fulton County's election-interference case against former President Donald Trump. On this episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's "Politically Georgia" podcast, hosts Patricia Murphy, Bill Nigut and Greg Bluestein talk with professors Anthony Michael Kreis and Fred Smith about the latest legal headlines.    First up, no evidence has yet emerged supporting a motion filed in Fulton County Superior Court alleging an inappropriate relationship between Willis and the special prosecutor she appointed to lead the Trump election conspiracy criminal case. But if it’s proved true, what impact could it have on the prosecution of the case? And what are the political implications for Willis, who is up for reelection this fall? Republicans are jumping on the charge to say it proves the case is purely political.     Then, a look at the federal civil trial brought by plaintiffs who say Georgia’s Dominion voting machines are vulnerable to hacks that might change the outcome of an election.     Finally, Greg Bluestein has a report on what Gov. Brian Kemp, state House Speaker Jon Burns and Lt. Gov. Burt Jones told a crowd of business leaders and others were the key elements of their agendas for the 2024 legislative session.    Links to today’s topics: Court filing accuses Willis of improper relationship with top election conspiracy case prosecutor GOP critics of election conspiracy case look to take action against Willis Voting machine case raises questions about security of Dominion machines Federal trial challenges security of Georgia voting machines  Governor Kemp unveils big spending plans for 2024 Speaker calls for elimination of ballot bar codes  Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the Listener Mailbag segment on tomorrow’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

Vice President Kamala Harris touches down in Atlanta today. On this episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's "Politically Georgia" podcast, hosts Patricia Murphy, Bill Nigut and Greg Bluestein talk with Georgia House Majority Leader Chuck Efstration about GOP priorities this session.  Then, moving to the other side of the political aisle, the podcast welcomes Democratic strategist Justin Kirnon. He discusses the importance of Democrats not only mobilizing Black voters to turn out for President Joe Biden’s reelection campaign but also energizing young voters and others who made up the Biden coalition in 2020. Finally, the hosts discuss allegations that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis was romantically involved with the lawyer she hired to prosecute the election conspiracy case against former President Donald Trump. The claims were in a motion filed on behalf of defendant Michael Roman. It asks the court to dismiss charges against Roman and calls for the entire Fulton County DA's team to be disqualified from further prosecution of the case. So far, there’s been no response from Willis or her office.   Links to today’s topics: VP Harris is set to visit Atlanta on Tuesday Filing alleges improper relationship between DA Willis and top prosecutor in election conspiracy case   Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the Listener Mailbag segment on tomorrow’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 Georgia legislature gavels in for 2024. On this episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell cover the issues that are on lawmakers' plates this go-round, including expansion of Medicaid; a push to establish vouchers for private school education and an effort to pass the bill that would establish a definition for antisemitism.  Plus, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has signed on to a legal brief supporting Donald Trump’s effort to have his name restored to Colorado’s presidential primary ballot. Hear why a number GOP attorneys general say keeping Trump off the ballot would lead to chaos at the polls.    Links to today’s topics: Legislature likely to get down to business quickly in election year Georgia joins effort to keep Trump on Colorado ballot  Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the Listener Mailbag segment on tomorrow’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 of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut, Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell talk with Georgia Democratic Congresswoman and Chair of the State Democratic Party Nikema Williams. Williams discusses her concerns that Republicans in the U.S. House don’t appear to have a plan for addressing key issues facing Congress in the weeks ahead.We also hear from Secretary of State spokesman Gabe Sterling, who talks about his ongoing concerns that election deniers will continue to cast doubts on the integrity of Georgia elections. And he shares his reaction to the so-called “swatting” incident that targeted his house this week. Plus, our hosts answer questions from the Listener Mailbag and then give us their choices for who’s up and who’s down this week.    Links to today’s topics: Bill seeks hand-marked paper ballots in Georgia polling places Georgia election official ‘swatted’ as hoaxes multiply   Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. 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 of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Patricia Murphy, Greg Bluestein and Bill Nigut narrow in on the legislative session.  Up first, a heated election year might bring more changes to Georgia voting laws. The AJC's Mark Niesse explains a long list of potential election measures could be debated in the Republican-run General Assembly.   Then, on the other side of the aisle Democrats  Sen. Harold Jones II and Rep. Sam Park let us in on their agenda for the session.   Plus, all eyes are on Iowa as presidential candidates prep for caucuses in the Hawkeye state.    Links to today’s topics: Heated election year might bring more changes to Georgia voting laws  Have Georgia Republicans to stump for presidential candidates in Iowa  a question for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the Listener Mailbag segment on tomorrow’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.” The AJC’s Patricia Murphy, Greg Bluestein and Bill Nigut discuss . Plus democratic legislative leaders give us their top priorities for the upcoming session.   On today’s episode of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Patricia Murphy, Greg Bluestein and Bill Nigut take a look at legislative issues from both sides of the aisle.   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A federal judge has rejected a Democratic lawsuit claiming illegal efforts to suppress votes in 2022 Georgia election. In today’s episode of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hists Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell discuss the impact of the ruling by federal Judge Steve Jones, rejecting a lawsuit filed by Fair Fight Action against True the Vote accusing the group of illegally working to suppress the votes of hundreds of thousands of Georgians in the 2022 election. Plus, Tia Mitchell leads a discussion on the many issues facing the U.S. House and Senate as members return to the Capitol after a long holiday break. And we take a swing around the state looking at news from outside North Georgia. Savannah bureau chief Adam Van Brimmer and Columbus veteran reporter Chuck Williams join the program. Links to today’s topics:True the Vote wins intimidation case over Georgia voter challenges Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. 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

Political news did not take a break while you were ringing in the new year. On today’s episode of the AJC’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy and Bill Nigut cover the big political stories that broke over the holidays, including federal Judge Steve Jones’s approval of the newly drawn legislative and congressional maps in Georgia. Also making headlines was a spate of so-called “swatting” incidents involving elected Georgia officials. Our hosts also look ahead to next week’s start of the 2024 legislative session with Democratic Rep. Saira Draper and veteran Republican operative Stephen Lawson. Links to today’s topics:Georgia General Assembly gavels back in on MondayGeorgia U.S. House lawmakers eye new districts in the new yearRise in so-called “swatting” incidents involving elected Georgia officials Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. 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

In today's episode of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy, Tia Mitchell and Bill Nigut look at the top political moments of 2023 and share what they are looking for in 2024.From Peachtree Street to Pennsylvania Avenue, our hosts also look at Georgia’s important role in determining who wins the White House in 2024. 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.” And finally, from all of us at the podcast: Happy New Year! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Tia Mitchell and Bill Nigut look at the 2024 agenda from the perspectives of the right and the left. GOP Congressman Buddy Carter and Executive Director of Care in Action, Hillary Holley discuss the issues they’ll be focused on in the coming year.   Plus, Tia and Bill answer questions from the listener mailbag and name those who they think are up and down this week.   Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the Listener Mailbag segment on next Friday’s episode.   Links to today’s topics: An unproductive year in Congress A crisis of care – Will Congress act?   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.”   And finally, from all of us at the podcast: Happy Holidays!!!   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger managed to avoid a formal investigation by the State Election Board into his actions during the 2020 election. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut and Greg Bluestein explain how the attempt is sounding alarm bells under the Gold Dome. Ed Lindsey who serves on the board joins, and voted yes to investigate Raffensperger, joins the podcast.   Plus, Judge Steve Jones has begun the hearing to determine if Georgia’s newly drawn legislative and U.S. House maps comply with his order to give Black voters additional power to elect candidates of their choice. Hear how the hearing began with an unexpected wrinkle.   And later, when is a Republican not a Republican? We’ll talk about the two GOP leaders in Chattooga and Pickens counties recently adopted new rules to let local activists determine who is eligible to qualify as Republicans in county races.   Have a question for the show? Call the 24-hour "Politically Georgia" Podcast Hotline at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the Listener Mailbag segment on next tomorrow’s episode.   Links to today’s topics: Republican move to investigate Raffensperger over 2020 election falls short Judge pledges quick turnaround on Georgia redistricting maps When is a Republican not a Republican?   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