Political Breakfast from WABE

On today's Political Breakfast, strategists Brian Robinson and Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam reflect on the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. 

The controversial debater and podcast host was fatally shot Wednesday at Utah Valley University. Thousands showed up to Kirk's first fall 2025 college event, which was set to kick-off a national tour. 

Kirk is credited with mobilizing young Republicans to the polls. He made stops in Georgia in the past, including at UGA last October. Georgia lawmakers on both sides of the aisle are condemning the violence. 

Plus, this week Atlanta is honoring a 21-year veteran DeKalb County firefighter, who died battling a commercial fire in Lithonia.

Preston Fant was trapped after trying to rescue another firefighter, as they worked to put out flames in a film studio warehouse.

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On today's Political Breakfast, host Lisa Rayam broadcasts live with Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson to give the rundown on Raffensperger.

The Secretary of State has not officially announced a campaign for the Georgia Governor's race in 2026, and is also rumored to be exploring a run for U.S. Senate. 

But the Republican is not universally supported within the Georgia GOP. In June of 2025, GOP convention delegates passed a resolution to prevent him from qualifying as a Republican candidate, even though its legal legitimacy has been questioned. 

Raffensperger also faced opposition from President Donald Trump, but survived those political attacks. 

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Earlier this year, state lawmakers created a new process for compensating Georgians who have been wrongfully convicted and jailed.

On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali take listeners inside some of the first hearings, where judges and lawyers are trying to navigate a new process somewhat on the fly.

Plus, Governor Brian Kemp has officially endorsed his pick to take on U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff next year and lawmakers mark one year since the deadly shooting at Apalachee High School.

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  Georgia Governor Brian Kemp finally did it!  He endorsed Republican Derek Dooley for a run for United States Senate.   Dooley's name is popular but the man himself is considered "an outsider" ; "a newcomer" to Georgia politics.  Kemp hopes that will be the draw to topple the Democratic incumbent, Senator Jon Ossoff.  

  Strategists Brian Robinson and Tharon Johnson along with host Lisa Rayam talk about the "Kemp Factor" and contemplate if it is powerful enough to silence Dooley's GOP contenders--U.S Representatives Buddy Carter and Mike Collins.

  Also, the team talks about the candidates running for Georgia Attorney General.

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The Trump administration is looking to fire two top federal officials with Atlanta ties that would likely have national implications.

On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali discuss moves to fire a Georgia-born Federal Reserve Governor and the director of the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Plus, Governor Brian Kemp has dispatched the national guard to help with immigration enforcement as President Donald Trump deploys guardsmen on the streets of Washington, D.C. and we take a look at why a judge is holding the Fulton County Commission in contempt of court.

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On this week's Political Breakfast, the gang taps into rumors of former Republican Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, who recently converted to the Democratic Party, running for Georgia Governor. The 2026 race is crowded and competitive on both sides of the aisle. 

Plus, Gabe Sterling, one of the faces of Georgia's Secretary of State's office, is stepping down from his position as Chief Operating Officer. Does he have his eyes set on somewhere else? 

Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson, and host Lisa Rayam also commemorate the 20-year anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, which drove and estimated 100 thousand evacuees to Georgia. Many stayed and continued to live in metro Atlanta. The city also honored the 62nd anniversary of the March on Washington over the weekend. 

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Two national figures made stops in Georgia this week to test out political messaging for the 2026 elections.

Meanwhile, four major U.S. Senate candidates all gathered in one room.

On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Rahul Bali and Brendan Rivers discuss the early start to the campaign season.

Plus, Fulton County Commissioners defy a judge’s order and could face jail time and a Georgian who rose to national prominence during the 2020 election considers running for Secretary of State.

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This week Atlanta is paying final respects to DeKalb County Officer David Rose, who was killed during a shooting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention earlier this month. 

Authorities say Patrick Joseph White targeted the CDC, and blamed the COVID-19 vaccine for his mental health issues. He died by suicide after firing roughly 500 shots at CDC buildings. 

The union representing CDC workers warns about the continued spread of vaccine disinformation, especially by leaders like Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr. They say the violence is a result of the vilification of government employees, fueled by the Trump Administration. 

Republican strategist Brian Robinson, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, and host Lisa Rayam break down all of this.

Plus, both Tharon and Brian agree: As candidates for Georgia Governor like Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Attorney General Chris Carr show their allegiance to Trump, one new name could shake things up. 

Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger may soon jump into the race. Raffensperger defied Trump in 2020 as the president allegedly conspired to overturn Georgia's election results.

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Employees at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been left shaken after a man fired hundreds of bullets at the Atlanta headquarters and killed a police officer.

On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” WABE Criminal Justice Reporter Chamain Cruz and WABE Health Reporter Jess Mador join hosts Rahul Bali, Sam Gringlas and Brendan Rivers with an update on the investigation and how the shooting is the latest example of increasing threats, and sometimes violence, directed at public officials and institutions.

Plus, more candidates jump into Georgia’s 2026 statewide races.

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On this week's Political Breakfast, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam react to former DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond's long-awaited campaign launch for the Democratic primary in the Georgia Governor's race. 

One question being addressed: Will a more moderate Thurmond be able to bring Democrats together at a time when what unites most is just hating President Donald Trump?

Plus, the legal drama brewing between the gubernatorial candidates. Attorney General Chris Carr sues Lt. Gov. Burt Jones. Meantime, Jones nabs a critical endorsement from President Trump.

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