Politically Georgia

Bill Nigut discusses the early entry of Republican state Attorney General Chris Carr into the 2026 race for governor and other political news making headlines.

Then, Democratic state Rep. Mary Margaret Oliver joins the podcast to discuss President-elect Donald Trump’s choices for roles in cabinet and high-ranking administration positions. In the aftermath of former U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz’s withdrawal from his nomination to be U.S. attorney general, Oliver makes the case for why she believes the selection of an attorney general who is loyal to the president-elect is dangerous for the independence of the Department of Justice.

Then, Dr. Mark Rosenberg joins the podcast to discuss concerns about Health and Human Services secretary nominee Robert Kennedy Jr.’s long-running campaign against vaccines.

Plus, we answer your questions from the listener mailbag.

Georgia AG declares candidacy for governor

Did Chris Carr announce for governor too soon?

After Gatez drops out, Trump nominates Pam Bondi for AG

Gatez withdrawal highlights how presidential nominees are often defeated

Official says Georgia not spending enough for veteran services

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Bentley Hudgins, director of the Georgia Human Rights Campaign, and AJC staff writer Maya T. Prabhu discuss the broader impact of the demonization of transgender individuals by Donald Trump's campaign as a weapon against Kamala Harris. And they look at the flap in the U.S. House over which bathroom the first transgender member of Congress should be allowed to use. Plus, they talk about whether any culture wars bills will surface during the legislative session.

Then, the podcast welcomes home former AJC political columnist Jim Galloway to get his perspective on the landscape in Georgia and across the country as Trump prepares for his second term as president. Will Trump win approval for controversial picks for his cabinet?

Every anti-LGBTQ bill fails as 2024 session ends

Georgia senate promotes multiple anti-trans measures

Opinion: Georgians are fed up with anti-LGBTQ legislation

Kelly Loeffler explains why she's backing Matt Gaetz for AG

Kemp elected chair of powerful GOP governor's association

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Former U.S. Sen. Kelly Loeffler discusses how she’s rebuilt her political profile after losing a runoff election to Raphael Warnock. Loeffler also talks about Greater Georgia, the conservative grassroots political organization she founded. Then she moves on talk about the close ties she’s formed with President-elect Donald Trump, which led to her being named a co-chair of his inaugural committee. She also endorsed Trump’s Cabinet picks, including his selection of former Florida U.S. Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general.

Then: AJC staff writer Tamar Hallerman talks about the surprising and unexplained decision by the Georgia Court of Appeals to cancel a hearing that could have led to Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis being dismissed from the Georgia election conspiracy case against Trump.

And the hosts look at Gov. Brian Kemp’s appeal to Congress seeking more than $12 billion in aid to support the state's recovery from the devastating damage of Hurricane Helene.

Kelly Loeffler to co-chair Trump inaugural committee

President-elect Trump could look to Georgia as he builds out his administration team

Patricia Murphy: Is Kelly Loeffler the new Georgia Republican Party?

Georgia appeals court cancels hearing in Willis' role inTrump election conspiracy case

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As President-elect Trump’s administration picks continue to divide both Democrats and Republicans, new data sheds light on the coalition that secured his victory. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell speak with Emory University’s Bernard Fraga to analyze the voter trends that propelled Trump back to the White House.

LaTosha Brown, co-founder of Black Voters Matter, joins the podcast to discuss how identity politics influenced the election and what strategies Democrats can use to counter the conservative messaging that resonated with voters.

Plus, we explore other political news making headlines, including reports that Nikema Williams may step down as chair of the Georgia Democratic Party.

Links to today’s topics 

Stunned Democrats look to rebuild for future

Black Voters Matter website

Nikema Williams sets path to step down as Dem chair as pressure mounts for her ouster

Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.

Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”    

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With the election behind us, Georgia lawmakers are preparing to head back to the Gold Dome. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy, and Bill Nigut talk with newly elected House Minority Leader Carolyn Hugley about her vision for uniting Georgia Democrats and the legislative priorities she hopes to push forward in 2024.

Next, political strategist Heath Garrett joins the show to discuss the legacy of his mentor, the late Senator Johnny Isakson, and whether Isakson’s philosophy of political civility can thrive in today’s polarized climate.

Finally, former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi reflects on the sweeping losses for Democrats this election cycle during her recent visit to Georgia, sharing key lessons she’s learned from the results.

Links to today’s topics 

Democrat Carolyn Hugley elected House minority leader

Georgia Democrats shift to new leaders after limited election gains

Politicians urge civility after ferocious election battle in Georgia

Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.

Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”    

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With the presidential election behind us, Georgia lawmakers are already preparing for the start of the 2024 General Assembly session in January. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut, Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell preview the legislative priorities shaping up for both Republicans and Democrats. 

State Senate GOP Majority Leader Steve Gooch shares insights on the Republican agenda, including passing a state budget and revisiting culture war issues like abortion restrictions and anti-LGBTQ measures that stalled in the 2024 session. 

We also speak with newly-elected Senate Minority Leader Harold Jones, who lays out the Democratic strategy for the upcoming session and the issues they aim to highlight despite limited power in the Republican-controlled Senate.  

Plus, we answer listener questions from our listener mailbag and pick this week’s winners and losers during who’s up and who’s down. 

Links to today’s topics  

Trump nominates Georgian Doug Collins to head Veterans' Affairs 

Trump chooses anti-vaccine activist Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as health secretary 

Senate Republicans re-elect leadership team for 2025 session 

Sen. Harold Jones promises strong push for policy goals as new minority leader  

Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode. 

Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”     

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As former President Trump prepares to return to the White House, some Georgians may be joining him in Washington. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Patricia Murphy, Greg Bluestein, and Bill Nigut speak with Trump ally and state Senator Brandon Beach to discuss the possibility of his role in the upcoming administration. 

We also get Beach's perspective on the next legislative session, including whether issues like abortion limits, gun laws, and Medicaid expansion will take center stage in January. 

Next, we turn to Georgia’s Democratic Party, where new leadership elections are underway in the House following recent election losses. Outgoing state Rep. Teri Anulewicz shares her thoughts on the future of the party and the direction it should take moving forward. 

Links to today’s topics 

What to know about Matt Gaetz, Trump's choice for attorney general 

Donald Trump's attorney general pick has a history of stirring things up in Georgia 

Georgia GOP leaders are ready for life under Donald Trump 

Patricia Murphy: How Joe Rogan became the Walter Cronkite of 2024 

Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode. 

Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”     

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As the nation braces for President-elect Trump’s second term, his early decisions suggest a tough stance on immigration and a shift in the country’s political landscape. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell examine Trump’s plans, including his campaign pledge to initiate mass deportations of undocumented immigrants. Chuck Kuck, a top immigration attorney, joins us to discuss how Trump’s early staffing choices signal a hardline approach and what that could mean for Georgia’s immigrant communities.

We also talk with former Democratic Congresswoman Carolyn Bourdeaux, who recently expressed her disillusionment with the Democratic Party in an essay for the AJC. Bourdeaux shares her thoughts on how the party has lost its way and the direction she believes it needs to take to reconnect with voters.

Finally, activist Hillary Holley, executive director of Care in Action, discusses how organizers are strategizing to rebuild and refocus their efforts in the wake of the election.

Links to today’s topics 

Trump picks advisors liekly to carry out tough immigration policies

Carolyn Bourdeaux: This time it's Democrats who have to change

Care in Action website 

Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.

Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”    

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The AJC's Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy and Bill Nigut analyze Harris’s defeat, Georgia’s GOP strategy, and Democratic challenges

Summary: 

One week after Election Day, the political landscape in Georgia is shifting, with both parties assessing their next moves. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy and Bill Nigut speak with incoming DeKalb County CEO Lorraine Cochran-Johnson. She shares her insights on Vice President Kamala Harris’s loss and its impact on Georgia Democrats, along with her goals for DeKalb County’s first 100 days under her leadership.

Republican strategist Stephen Lawson joins the podcast to discuss Donald Trump’s return to the White House and the priorities that Georgia Republicans are likely to push forward in the upcoming legislative session.

Finally, we explore the fallout within the Georgia Democratic Party after recent losses, as pressure mounts for leadership changes. We’ll examine what these developments mean for Georgia’s political future.

Links to today’s topics 

Incoming DeKalb CEO prepares transition team

Georgia Democrats consider "course correction" after losing 2024 presidential race

Donald Trump is likely to look to Georgia as he builds out his White House team

Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.

Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”    

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As Republicans celebrate Donald Trump’s imminent return to the White House, the coalition he built is prompting discussions about a shifting political landscape. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell speak with UGA political science professor Audrey Haynes about what Trump’s broad support means for Georgia’s increasingly diverse electorate.

We also dive into Kamala Harris’s challenges in energizing Black male voters, traditionally a strong Democratic base. Democratic strategist Fred Hicks shares his insights on why Harris’s support among Black men lagged and whether there’s a risk of scapegoating this group for her loss.

We’ll also bring you the latest news making political waves in Georgia

Links to today’s topics

Young Black and Latino men say they chose Trump because of economy and jobs

Will Black men be scapegoats for Harris loss?

Raphael Warnock bemoans sense of "betrayal" after Trump victory

Burt Jones considers Medicaid expansion as 2026 governor's race looms

Former Georgia senator will chair Trump inaugural committee 

Have a question or comment for the show? Call the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during the listener mailbag segment on next Friday's episode.

Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.”    

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