Political Rewind

Tuesday on Political Rewind: Early voting in municipal elections across the state started today. In Atlanta, candidates for mayor will feature in a series of debates that are becoming increasingly contentious.

Meanwhile, news broke yesterday that two election workers in Fulton County were fired for allegedly shredding 300 paper voter registration applications instead of processing them.

Fulton County elections director Rick Barron said Monday that other employees reported the alleged violation and the two were quickly terminated on Friday following an investigation.

Barron said he notified the Secretary of State's office and requested an investigation. Fulton County Commission Chairman Robb Pitts also contacted the Fulton County District Attorney's office for further review.

There is no evidence that the shredding was done to target voters of one political party or another, GPB News' Stephen Fowler said.

"Georgia doesn't have party registration, so it's not like somebody shredded a bunch of Democratic applications or Republican applications," Fowler said. "It's not a partisan thing, but especially with Fulton County already under the microscope, it's really, really puzzling behavior at a really, really bad time. "

Panelists:

Tamar Hallerman – Senior reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Stephen Fowler – Political reporter, GPB News

Dr. Kurt Young – Professor and chair of political science department, Clark Atlanta University

Tia Mitchell – Washington reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Friday on Political Rewind, a newly released transcript of former Georgia U.S. Attorney Bjay Pak’s testimony before a senate committee reveals what many already suspected. Pak’s abrupt resignation early this year came after he was told that former President Donald Trump was pushing to have him fired. Pak failed to support Trump's claim that massive fraud gave President Joe Biden a victory in Georgia. The transcript reveals that Pak thought Trump's claims were “crazy.”

Also, at least one major abortion provider in Texas has begun scheduling procedures again after a federal judge ruled that the law banning abortion after six weeks is unconstitutional. The state is appealing that decision.

Meanwhile, several Georgia GOP lawmakers say they may introduce a measure similar to the Texas law when the legislature convenes in January.

Thursday on Political Rewind: DeKalb County conducts a successful COVID-19 vaccination drive thanks to a gift card giveaway to those who take the shots. Those who got a shot in the arm during the drive also received a $100 gift card. DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond said that leaders should take politics out of COVID-19 decisions and focus on saving lives. 

"When I know close to 1,100 DeKalb County residents have been killed by the virus, I know that 12,000 Georgians and over 700,000 Americans [have died from COVID-19], at some point your next election is really just not that important," he said. 

Meanwhile, it’s not just cities in Georgia that have seen a dramatic spike in homicides. In a new report, the CDC says that the entire country saw a record-breaking 30% increase in homicides from 2019 to 2020. Meanwhile, Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms urged the Atlanta City Council to pass a measure to establish an office of violence reduction to address deaths by violence in the city.

Also, during their visit to the Texas border, Gov. Brian Kemp and fellow GOP governors accused President Biden of failing to address the crisis caused by the surge of immigrants crossing into the United States. They called on the federal government to resume construction of Donald Trump's controversial wall.

Panelists:

Sam Olens — Former Georgia attorney general

Michael Thurmond — CEO, DeKalb County

Amy Steigerwalt — Professor of political science, Georgia State University

Wednesday on Political Rewind: Gov. Brian Kemp is taking a trip to Texas. He and nine other GOP governors visit the U.S.-Mexico border today. They will also hold a news conference, blaming President Joe Biden for failing to stop an escalating number of illegal border crossings. This trip is Kemp's third visit to the southern border since becoming governor.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland has ordered the FBI to investigate harassment and threats of violence aimed at school boards in Georgia and other states. Anger over mask mandates in some schools and over the teaching of so-called critical race theory have sparked angry confrontations between parents and school officials in recent months.

Plus, the Muscogee County district attorney faces a laundry list of criminal charges after just nine months in office.

Panelists:

Donna Lowry — Host, GPB-TV’s Lawmakers

Greg Bluestein — Political reporter, Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Jill Nolin — Deputy editor, Georgia Recorder

Chuck Williams — Reporter, WRBL-TV, Columbus

Tuesday on Political Rewind: Republican Senate candidate Herschel Walker responded to allegations of domestic violence during an interview with a conservative radio host this week — sort of. Walker shrugged off the allegations and insisted questions from journalists about his past were illegitimate.

Multiple women have alleged Walker violently threatened them. His former wife obtained a protective order from a judge against him in 2005 after she said he threatened to shoot her in the head. In 2012, a former girlfriend of Walker's filed a police report alleging a similar threat.

Meanwhile, as President Joe Biden’s approval numbers continue to spiral downward, we looked at whether Democrats have any chance of winning back white working-class voters in upcoming elections.

In other news, legal analysts for Brooking Institute concluded former President Donald Trump faces legal jeopardy and could be prosecuted in Fulton County for working to persuade state officials to overturn the results of Georgia's 2020 presidential election. Their analysis finds Trump might see further legal exposure following remarks he made at a rally in Perry last month.

Plus, GPB News reporter Riley Bunch joined us to discuss her recent story on violence and harassment faced by health care workers across Georgia.

Panelists:

Riley Bunch — Public policy reporter, GPB News

Tamar Hallerman — Senior reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Dr. Alan Abramowitz — Emeritus professor of political science, Emory University

Monday on Political Rewind: It is the first day of a new session for the United States Supreme Court and justices will hear a raft of significant cases that hold consequences for Georgia law.

A New York gun rights case could decide Georgians’ right to carry concealed weapons without a permit, while another case concerning religious liberty could allow state funds to be sent to religious schools. Meanwhile, the justices will consider a Mississippi case that could determine the fate of Georgia’s restrictive abortion law.

"A year ago, I had said that I did not think that the Roe v. Wade would be overturned," state Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver said. "It would be weakened, but not overturned. Today, I can't say that with any confidence. I think the Supreme Court could be marching towards overturning Roe v. Wade."

Meanwhile, polling shows affordable housing is a top priority for voters as they prepare to cast their ballots in the Atlanta mayor’s race. But, while most of the candidates signal support for plans to address the issue, experts say it may be a difficult problem to fix.

Plus, infighting among Democrats in Washington, D.C., continues to threaten President Joe Biden’s economic agenda and could shape the issues headlining in next year’s elections.

Panelists:

Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver — State Representative (D-Decatur)

Edward Lindsey — Former GOP state legislator

Rene Alegria — CEO, Mundo Hispanico Digital

Jim Galloway — Former political columnist, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Friday on Political Rewind: Georgia will follow CDC guidelines on who can receive the COVID-19 booster shot. Gov. Brian Kemp and state health director Kathleen Toomey announced health department vaccination sites have begun giving booster shots to eligible residents this week. The news comes even as Georgia remains in the lowest tier of states with fully vaccinated people.

In news from the U.S. Capitol, a last-minute vote in Washington, D.C., averted a federal government shutdown last night. Georgia’s congressional delegation voted along partisan lines on the resolution to authorize continued federal funding. Why did Georgia Republicans line up against the measure?

Panelists:

Stephen Fowler — Politics reporter, GPB News

Patricia Murphy — Politics reporter and columnist, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Leroy Chapman — Managing editor, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Thursday on Political Rewind: Supporters of the creation of a new city of Buckhead are moving forward with efforts to see the issues brought before the state legislature. Lawmakers in favor of the proposal announced they will hold state senate hearings on the controversial measure during the November special legislative session.

So far, no lawmakers representing Buckhead have signed on to the effort. But Buckhead succession could see broad support from Republican legislators from elsewhere across the state. Our panel discussed what their support means for GOP messaging.

In other news, it is a crucial period in the U.S. Capitol for President Joe Biden’s ambitious agenda. His sweeping infrastructure bill and social policy reforms are facing choppy waters stirred up by Republicans and disagreement among the Democratic caucus. We looked at what the debate means for Georgia.

Panelists:

Margaret Coker — Editor-in-Chief, The Current

Chart Riggall — Reporter, Marietta Daily Journal

Kevin Riley — Editor, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Wednesday on Political Rewind: An early draft of new congressional district maps in Georgia drew renewed attention to the upcoming redistricting process that begins in November. The draft will likely undergo changes when lawmakers meet in the state Capitol on Nov. 3 for a legislative special session. Republican lawmakers appeared to target Democratic U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath’s 6th District seat for the most drastic changes while leaving Rep. Carolyn Bordeaux's 7th District safe for Democrats. Our panel discussed the new lines, and if they are likely to remain in place.

Also, candidates in 2022's important slate of elections are wondering if they can win a Republican primary contest in Georgia without former President Donald Trump’s backing. During a raucous rally in Perry, Ga., last weekend, Trump meted out criticism and endorsement of Georgia's Republican candidates, but how helpful is a Trump endorsement?

Panelists:

Dr. Andra Gillespie — Professor of political science and director of the James Weldon Johnson Institute for the Study of Race and Difference, Emory University

Greg Bluestein — Political reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Tuesday on Political Rewind: State Republican legislators released a first draft of Georgia's new congressional districts. Although still in an early stage, the map reveals Republicans may target U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath’s 6th District seat for a Republican takeover. Meanwhile, the preliminary lines could strengthen Democratic control of the neighboring 7th District.

Also, a new federal effort aims to protect thousands of residents brought to the United States at a young age. The White House released a plan they believe will overcome a federal judge’s ruling that determined the DACA program was created through an illegal process. Without DACA, many residents brought to the U.S. when they were young face the risk of deportation.

Meanwhile, President Joe Biden is facing fire from both sides of the aisle for what critics say has been the inhumane treatment of Haitian immigrants at the southern border. Thousands of Haitian refugees have sought asylum in the United States over the past several weeks, a situation lawmakers say underlines the need for comprehensive immigration reform.

"I've been involved in immigration a long time and we've been seeking a modern 21st-century change to immigration law for 21 years," immigration attorney Chuck Kuck said. "And Congress fiddles while Rome burns. It's just extraordinarily frustrating."

Panelists:

Paradise Afshar — Immigration community reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Charles Kuck — Immigration attorney

Tia Mitchell — Washington reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution