On this edition of Political Breakfast, strategists Tharon Johnson and Brian Robinson talk about the growing pool of candidates expressing interest in the Georgia Governor's race.  One prominent Democrat, a former Atlanta Mayor, is making her intentions extremely clear. In addition, there are murmurings that more from the GOP are preparing to launch gubernatorial campaigns.

   Plus, Brian and Tharon talk about a conservative group's very expensive ad campaign targeting Senator Jon Ossoff's for a vote he cast regarding the funding of transgender women playing sports.

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Just days after Georgia Legislators said farewell to the 2024-2025 legislative session, strategists Brian Robinson and Tharon Johnson are pondering over its early and abrupt ending--at least on the Senate's side.  What does that mean for a host of bills left in limbo?

   Plus, Brian and Tharon share with host Lisa Rayam the big wins this session for Republicans; the major feats for Democrats.  In addition, they chat about what bills will more than likely cross the finish line the NEXT legislative session.

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Friday, April 4, is Sine Die, the deadline for bills to be passed before the end of this year's legislative session in Georgia.

Lawmakers have been scrambling this week to get bills through the House and Senate, and as hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali discuss on this week’s episode of "Plugged In," that has led to some tense moments at the Capitol.

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     STRATEGISTS THARON JOHNSON AND BRIAN ROBINSON JOIN HOST LISA RAYAM FOR ANOTHER LIVE EDITION OF POLITICAL BREAKFAST.

  THIS CONVERSATION TAKES PLACE ON THE EVE OF SINE DIE.  GEORGIA LEGISLATORS ARE AT WORK SHUFFLING NUMEROUS BILLS BEFORE THE FRIDAY DEADLINE.

    BUT, PRESIDENT TRUMP 'S TARIFF ACTS ARE DOMINATING THE NEWS CYCLE AND THE QUESTION FOR BRIAN AND THARON IS: HOW IS THE TARIFF TALK AFFECTING WORK THAT NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE UNDER THE GOLD DOME?

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  STRATEGISTS BRIAN ROBINSON AND THARON JOHNSON ALONG WITH HOST LISA RAYAM, SORT THROUGH TWO DEMOCRATIC BOMBSHELLS: CONGRESSWOMAN LUCY MCBATH PUTS HER EXPLORATORY CAMPAIGN FOR GEORGIA GOVERNOR ON HOLD AND CONGRESSWOMAN NIKEMA WILLIAMS STEPS DOWN AS CHAIR OF THE STATE DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

   WHAT DOES THIS ALL MEAN FOR THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY MOVING FORWARD?  HOW ARE GEORGIA REPUBLICANS VIEWING THE CHANGES?  PLUS, WHAT HAS BRIAN AND THARON'S  ATTENTION AS THE CURRENT LEGISLATIVE SESSION WINDS DOWN.

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Georgia Senator Jon Ossoff soft launched his reelection campaign at a boisterous rally in Atlanta this week.

On this week's episode of "Plugged In," hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali discuss how Ossoff and other Democrats are trying to channel frustration and fear about President Donald Trump's moves to slash government and punish political enemies.

Plus, lawmakers grapple with the fallout from a contentious vote on Governor Brian Kemp's legislative priority, state lawmakers look to force cities and counties to follow immigration laws and Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene questions the chief executives of NPR and PBS as federal funding is on the line.

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Nearly two years before Election Day 2026, Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff held a rally in Atlanta over the weekend, promising his supporters that, “Georgia will bow to no king.”

Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson both tell host Lisa Rayam, this will likely be an expensive and competitive Senate race. But their opinions differ on what kind of impression Ossof's event made. 

Plus, tort reform is headed to Governor Brian Kemp's desk, after passing both the state House and Senate. That's as the end of the 2025 Legislative Session nears.

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Georgia Governor Brian Kemp's top legislative priority has cleared a major hurdle.

On this week's episode of "Plugged In," hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali discuss how the effort to curb civil lawsuits narrowly passed in the House.

Plus, as this year's legislative session nears its end, lawmakers have been debating possible responses to the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School and the Georgia Supreme Court is weighing whether or not to uphold controversial rules passed by Republicans on the State Election Board last fall.

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This week the Political Breakfast team was pleased to be a guest on the campus of Atlanta's Spelman College. 

Students at the HBCU peppered the auditorium and engaged with Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam.

The students navigated through the issues facing both the nation and the state of Georgia.

The audience of mostly Black women had pertinent questions.

Many asked about the issue of President Donald Trump's Administration attacking policies that support Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives in the federal workplace, and in public schools and universities.

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Tax dollars supporting gender-affirming surgeries for transgender inmates? In Georgia, it's still a 'tough sell' for the majority of the Democratic electorate in this economy, says Georgia Sen. Elena Parent. 

The Democrat has been getting some criticism because of her vote, where she stood with Republicans in banning that practice.

Parent tells Political Breakfast host Lisa Rayam, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson, that she's defended, and still stands in strong solidarity, with the LGBTQ community during this "treacherous" time in our country.

But all agree that the attacks on Parent are worth a larger conversation, on how lawmakers shouldn't cater to extremism on both sides of the political aisle. 

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