Politically Georgia

In this episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut, Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell recap the big election night for Georgia incumbent mayors and for pro-choice advocates nationwide. Plus, the new AJC poll showing that Georgia voters are evenly split in a matchup between President Biden and Donald Trump.  You’ll also hear from former Republican U.S. Congressman Adam Kinzinger to talk his new book ‘Renegade’ and the threat posed by former President Trump’s comeback bid. And, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene backs down from her resolution to censure Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib.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:Incumbent mayors have good night in metro Atlanta local elections Johnson carries every precinct in Savannah mayor reelection bid Biden and Trump are deadlocked in battleground Georgia  Adam Kinzinger, Renegade McCormick, not Greene, takes lead as House censures Tlaib  Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. 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

Voters across Georgia are heading to the polls to vote in dozens of municipal elections for mayor, city council races, Atlanta school board and more. Hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy and Bill Nigut discuss the election in Savannah, where Mayor Van Johnson is running for a second term against Kesha Gibson-Carter, a longtime political foe. A win for Johnson would pave the way for a run for statewide office in 2026. You’ll also hear about a significant issue on the ballot in Ohio today. Voters will cast ballots on whether to expand abortion rights in the state. The panel explains that the vote may be complicated by unclear language on the ballot. Special guest, Republican strategist Stephen Lawson suggests that Republicans must start the conversation about abortion limitations by showing they have empathy for women who sometime face difficult choices about giving birth. Plus, learn why Georgia GOP Congressman Rich McCormack is wrestling away from Marjorie Taylor Greene a motion to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib for antisemitic remarks. 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:McCormick snubs Greene on censure resolutionLocal elections to watchGuide to metro electionsAbortion initiative explainedAbortion foes hope for victory in Ohio Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. 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 this episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell look at a New York Times/Siena College poll that is troubling news for President Biden’s re-election. The poll shows Donald Trump leading President Biden in five of six battleground states that Biden won in 2020. The poll shows Trump ahead in Georgia by six points. Overall, the Times reports that Biden is losing support among Black, Hispanic and young voters in the six states polled. (The AJC is preparing a poll focused specifically on Georgia voters that will be released later this week.) Plus, Michael Thurmond has been a public official for most of his career, serving in the legislature, as labor commissioner, interim superintendent of DeKalb schools and now CEO of DeKalb County. But he’s long been mentioned as a potential candidate for governor. Will he decided to run for the job in 2026? He won’t rule it out. And, Israel’s massive military response to the barbaric Hamas attack on Israel is becoming increasingly contentious among some members of Congress and beyond. Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib drew for comments in which she said President Biden is supporting Israel’s “genocide” against the Palestinian people. Georgia’s Marjorie Taylor Greene, who lost a vote to censure Tlaib for alleged antisemitic remarks in the past, has refiled a censure motion based on Tlaib’s most recent accusations. Olens and Thurmond discuss the balance between Israel’s right to take strong action to wipe out Hamas and the need to treat innocent Palestinians in a humane manner. 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:Red flags for Biden in battleground pollStacey Abrams on Israel-Hamas warMTG's new censure motionTlaib says Biden supports genocide Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. 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 this episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Tia Mitchell, Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy and Bill Nigut look at the glittery premiere of the AJC’s first full-length documentary, ‘The South’s Got Something to Say,’ which focuses on the artists who made Atlanta the center of the rap universe, and how their music gave voice to the social and economic conditions of the Black community and became intertwined with politics. Plus, Marjorie Taylor Greene fumes after her motion to censure Rep. Rashida Tliab for alleged antisemitic actions and remarks gets a thumbs down from Democrats and Republicans in the House, including two of her colleagues in the Georgia GOP delegation. Then the team looks at the House vote which approves $14 billion in new funding for Israel but adds a measures demanding dollar for dollar cuts of the same amount to the IRS budget. Democrats see it as an unprecedented partisan effort by Republicans to undermine President Biden’s effort to beef up the IRS to go after tax cheats. And again, Marjorie Taylor Greene has a lot to say as she votes against the money for Israel. And later, hear answers questions from the listener mailbag, with calls from the 24-hour Politically Georgia Hotline at (404)526-AJCP.  Links to today’s topics:AJC hip hop documentary premieresHouse approves Israel Aid...with conditions Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Republican legislators aren’t happy with the order from a federal judge that they redraw Georgia’s Congressional and legislative district maps to more fairly represent Black voters. But they rejected a strategy to ask for a stay of the process until after the 2024 election. That decision means they’ll go ahead with a special map-drawing session that Governor Kemp has set to begin on November 29, even as Republicans plan their appeal of the order. On yesterday’s podcast, Republican Speaker of the Georgia House Jon Burns said he thought the legislature would come up with maps that would please Federal Judge Steve Jones, who ordered the redrawing of districts. Today, State Representative Saira Draper joins the podcast to offer the Democratic point of view on the special session. Then, the team discusses the frank interview that Frank Hogue, attorney for Jenna Ellis gave to AJC Breakdown podcast hosts Bill Rankin and Tamar Hallerman. Hogue talked about how quickly he and his client were able to agree on a plea deal for Ellis, one of the defendants in the Fani Willis Trump Election conspiracy case. Plus, Georgia GOP state senators upbraided the secretary of state’s office for failing to install upgrades to the Dominion voting system. They worry that without the upgrades the machines are vulnerable to being hacked. The secretary of state’s office pointed out that the upgrade would have to be done manually in each of the state’s 40,000 Dominion voting machines. 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:Georgia won't try to stall redistricting sessionJudge Jones' redistricting rulingJenna Ellis' lawyer talks guilty pleaBreakdown podcast with Frank HogueSenators press for more election security Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. 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

Today on Politically Georgia, lawmakers are heading back to the capitol after a judge directs them to re-draw districts to better represent Black voters. Hosts Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy, and Bill Nigut talk to Georgia Speaker of the House Jon Burns about what to expect from that special session.   Plus, Speaker Burns talks on whether he’ll take up measures to expand Georgia’s abortion law.  And later, a conversation with CNN political director David Chalian about Georgia’s role as a battleground state in the 2024 election cycle. But first, Governor Kemp reaffirms his unwavering support for Israel in its war with Hamas after an emotional meeting with Israelis grieving the unknown fate of relatives being held hostage in Gaza. 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:Analysis: How a judge’s redistricting ruling could reshape Georgia’s 2024 voteGeorgia Supreme Court allows abortion law to stand. What’s next? Georgia’s governor embraces Israel as war intensifies Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. 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 the episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy and Bill Nigut talk with Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff about the findings of his bipartisan hearings investigating Georgia’s troubled foster care system. Among the findings: over a four-year period almost 1800 children went missing from the system. Ossoff acknowledges that fixing the issues facing the Division of Family and Children Services is a challenge that will take time to solve.The senator also discusses his commitment to sending additional resources to Israel in the war against Hamas. Plus, Marjorie Taylor Greene has been on the campaign trail, rallying support for Donald Trump in New Hampshire. In Washington, she’s in a war of words with Palestinian-American Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib. Her why Greene wants Tlaib censured. And hear about the Alabama supporter of Donald Trump who faces federal charges for violent and obscene threats against Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis and Sheriff Pat Labat. 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: Hearings reveal many children missing from foster care systemJudges refuse DFAC request to detain some foster childrenMarjorie Taylor Greene moves to censure Rashida TliabAlabama man arrested for threats against Willis and Labat Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. 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 this episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast Tia Mitchell, Patricia Murphy, Greg Bluestein and Bill Nigut start off today’s podcast with a look at a disturbing display of antisemitism in Cobb County over the weekend. A white supremacist hate group projected a message praising Hitler on an overpass on I-75 in Cobb County. The group that used a laser projector to display the message has also been responsible for spreading antisemitic flyers in the front yards of suburban Atlanta neighborhoods. Attorney General Chris Carr quickly condemned the organization’s messaging, and State Rep. Esther Panitch, who sponsored legislation to define antisemitism as a hate crime called for the legislature to take action to pass measures that will stop the hate campaigns.Then, Governor Kemp sings former Vice President Mike Pence’s praises after Pence drops out of the GOP presidential race. Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy suggest that “in an alternative universe” had Pence been successful in his bid, Governor Kemp could have become Pence’s VP candidate because the two are so close personally, and Pence has been one of Kemp’s top supporters. Meanwhile, Georgia Democrats shrug at the entry of Minnesota Congressman Dean Phillips into the Democratic primary race against President Biden.Plus, the latest on how legislators are responding to the federal order that they redraw congressional and legislative maps to give Black voters more equitable representation.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:White supremacists target Cobb County driversKemp sings Pence's praisesGeorgia redistricting ruling shakes up GOP lawmakersSubscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. 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 this edition of the Politically Georgia podcast Patricia Murphy, Tia Mitchell, Greg Bluestein and Bill Nigut start with a look at Federal Judge Steve Jones's ruling that the state’s most recent political maps must be redrawn. Then, a look at another election-related election case: A federal court in Gainesville is is hearing a case brought by Fair Fight alleging that the Texas-based conservative organization True the Vote intimidated Georgia voters when it filed 250,000 challenges to voter registrations ahead of the 2021 U.S. Senate runoff election. Plus, AJC reporter Ernie Suggs joins the podcast to discuss how Atlanta became the center of hip hop culture and rap. It’s a story told in a new AJC-produced documentary “The South Got Something to Say,” which premieres on November 2. And as always on Friday, the podcast closes with questions from the listener mailbag, which you can call into 24 hour a day at 404-526-AJCP. That's 404-526-2527. You’ll also hear the hosts’ choices for who’s up and who’s down this week. Links to today’s stopics:Judge strikes down voting mapsThe South Got Something to SayVoter intimidation trial begins Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. 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 the is edition of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, Patricia Murphy, Greg Bluestein, Tia Mitchell and Bill Nigut discuss the school safety proposal Lt. Governor Burt is backing that would offer teachers a $10,000 stipend to carry guns in the classroom. Plus, after three weeks of chaos, Republicans in the U.S. House finally elected a speaker – Louisiana congressman Mike Johnson. Johnson won unanimous support from the GOP conference. Hear how members of Georgia’s GOP delegation could benefit as Congressman Mike Johnson takes up the gavel. AJC Savannah bureau chief Adam Van Brimmer joins the podcast to report on the Savannah mayor’s race, one of the most important races on municipal ballots this year. He also discusses the possibility that Tybee Island could elect its first Black mayor. And he offers an overview of the multi-billion dollar proposal to deepen the Savannah River port. Links to today’s topics:Jones supports paying teachers to carry gunsHouse ends chaos, elects speakerA bid for Black history at Savannah beachGeorgia Port officials say Savannah River port must be deepened2023 elections to watchSavannah mayor's race gets tense Subscribe to the AJC: If you aren’t a subscriber to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, click here to get unlimited digital access to the AJC at a special price. 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