Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! This week, we break down Georgia's 2026 candidate qualifying deadline and what it means for the upcoming election cycle.

Eamon Keegan, President of New Prospect Strategies, joing the show to talk about who is in, who decided not to run, and the last-minute surprises that shaped the final slate of candidates across the state.

The hosts discuss several of the most closely watched statewide and legislative races, examining how the candidate fields are shaping up and what early dynamics could define the primaries. They also talk about the strategic decisions candidates made during qualifying week, including late entries, potential primary battles, and how party leaders and political insiders reacted as the deadline approached.

In addition, the episode looks at what these candidate lineups may signal about the broader political landscape in Georgia heading into November. From competitive primaries to districts that could become battlegrounds in the general election, the hosts outline the races to watch and the issues that may drive the campaign season.

If you want a clear picture of where Georgia politics stands now that the qualifying deadline has passed, this episode offers a comprehensive breakdown of the candidates, the strategy, and the stakes for one of the most important election cycles in the state.

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Lyndsey Coates on Instagram @list_with_lyndsey

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

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