A new AJC poll shows former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is dominating early in the 2026 Georgia governor's race on the Democratic side. Behind her, is former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. 

On the Republican side, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones leads, with the endorsement from President Donald Trump. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger trails behind him.

It's important to note: Both parties still have a large swath of undecided voters.

Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson weigh-in on this with host Lisa Rayam.

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On this edition of Political Breakfast, the federal government shutdown may be nearing an end, but it hasn't happened just yet. A key vote took place in Washington but Georgia's two Democratic U.S. Senators were NOT on board with the majority. Why not?

Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson weigh-in with host Lisa Rayam on what Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock may have been thinking. 

How could they be against reopening the government in the midst of massive flight cancellations across the country, and TSA workers reporting malaise because they are not getting paid?

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On today's Political Breakfast, we talk about some of the most hotly contested races in this November's election across metro Atlanta, and Georgia's only statewide race.

Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson break down the Georgia Public Service Commission results and their national implications with host, Lisa Rayam.

Rising electricity bills have been worrying families across the state. They've gone up six times in the past few years, under the current, all-Republican commission.

Plus, they analyze the very close race for Atlanta City Council President. 

Two-term Atlanta City Council member Marci Collier Overstreet declares victory even though her opponent, Rohit Malhotra, garnered almost 50 percent of the vote.

What are Atlanta voters really trying to say?

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It's time for Political Breakfast's Election Day coverage -- but before you listen, if you haven't yet, get to your precinct before the polls close! 

The PSC has five elected members who have final say over Georgia Power’s rates and plans for making electricity. All five are currently held by Republicans. Two seats are being challenged by Democrats. Turnout will be key in determining if the Dems can flip those seats. 

Republican strategist Brian Robinson, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam talk about some other races that should be on the radar. In the city of Atlanta, voters will choose the mayor, city council president, 15 city council seats, and several Atlanta school board seats.

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This week WABE presents a special edition of Political Breakfast, broadcasting from the iconic Atlanta meet-up spot, Manuel's Tavern. 

Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson joined host Lisa Rayam to do a wrap-up of the month's top political stories in Georgia: just a few days ahead of Election Day on November 4th. 

Some background: Manuel's opened decades ago, and was run by Atlanta's own fiery politician Manuel Maloof. It's a well-known watering hole where folks from both sides of the aisle have always sat together, enjoyed a beer or burger, and talked. 

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   On this edition of Political Breakfast, we discuss the specter of the No Kings Protest in Atlanta.  Thousands turned out and actually PEACEFULLY protested Trump-era politics. Many high-profile speakers addressed enthusiastic crowds. One in particular was two-time Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams. She's been quiet lately.  Does her taking the podium signal she's ready to take on the political spotlight again?  

    Executive Director of the Atlanta Civic Circle Saba Long, who is in for Democratic Strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican Strategist Brian Robinson, shared their thoughts with host Lisa Rayam

    

    

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Two Republicans who sit on Georgia's Public Service Commission -- Tim Echols of District 2 and Fitz Johnson of District 3 — are being challenged by Democratic candidates Alicia Johnson and Peter Hubbard.

It's a race that has gone under the radar: until now.

All five seats are currently held by Republicans. So Democrats are stumping loudly about utility affordability

Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson stress with host Lisa Rayam how voters need to pay attention: and turn out for race that ultimately affects their households.

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Former Democrat-turned-Republican state Rep. Vernon Jones, who crowd-surfed at Georgia Trump rally, announced Monday he's running for the job of Georgia's chief elections officer. 

Jones joins a growing and competitive pool of candidates for Georgia Secretary of State. 

That includes former state elections official, Gabriel Sterling, who took a ton of heat in 2020 from Donald Trump and rebuked Trump's claims the 2020 presidential election results were rigged. 

Host Lisa Rayam, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson debate if Jones has a chance to compete.

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On today's Political Breakfast: Republican candidates are beefing-up their war chests in hopes the money will talk enough to help unseat Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff next year. 

Ossoff's campaign reports he has 21 million in the bank. 

Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson discuss the numbers that are rolling in from his GOP opponents with host Lisa Rayam.

Political outsider Derek Dooley announced Monday that he's raised nearly 2 million in his first stretch of the race. He's also got the endorsement of Governor Brian Kemp.

Another GOP opponent, Congressman Mike Collins, went head-to-head with Dooley and said he's also raised $1.9 million, and that he is transferring another million from his congressional account. The final candidate, Congressman Buddy Carter, has not yet posted. 

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On this edition of Political Breakfast, it's week two of the federal government shutdown, and that's taking a toll on workers who are going without pay at the world's busiest airport in Atlanta. 

Many are already living paycheck to paycheck. Now: half a paycheck to half a paycheck, thanks to the stall in Washington.

Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam discuss how this is becoming more entangled in Georgia, and national politics. Plus, we hear from a local union representative for TSA workers, Aaron Barker. 

If the shutdown lags on, could this become a national security issue?

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