Politically Georgia

Greg Bluestein sits down with MS NOW’s Chris Hayes to examine what Georgia’s closely watched midterm races could reveal about the country’s changing political landscape. Hayes makes the case that Jon Ossoff could emerge as a 2028 presidential contender and discusses how Ossoff has navigated one of the Democratic Party’s most difficult divides over Israel. They also explore Mike Collins’ strategy of mobilizing Trump-aligned voters, the political fallout from the Iran war and what Democrats are doing differently this cycle.

Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at [email protected]. 

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Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy break down the first and likely only gubernatorial debate between Republican Rick Jackson and Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, including Jackson’s shift away from Donald Trump and repeated embrace of Gov. Brian Kemp. They examine the candidates’ clashes over data centers, election security and their records, along with Bottoms’ effort to make trust a central issue in the race. Greg and Patricia also preview the first Senate debate between Jon Ossoff and Mike Collins and what each candidate faces heading into the matchup.

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Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy break down the first and likely only gubernatorial debate between Republican Rick Jackson and Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, including Jackson’s shift away from Donald Trump and repeated embrace of Gov. Brian Kemp. They examine the candidates’ clashes over data centers, election security and their records, along with Bottoms’ effort to make trust a central issue in the race. Greg and Patricia also preview the first Senate debate between Jon Ossoff and Mike Collins and what each candidate faces heading into the matchup.

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Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy sit down with Eric Tanenblatt, former chief of staff to Gov. Sonny Perdue, for Georgia’s Choice, the AJC’s weekly election series. Tanenblatt explains how a governor’s power depends on relationships with lawmakers, control over appointments and the state budget, and the limits of executive orders. He also weighs the governing challenges facing Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson, including how each would navigate a Republican-controlled legislature and pursue major policy priorities.

Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at [email protected]. 

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Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy are joined by Gov. Brian Kemp senior political adviser Cody Hall to assess the final stretch of Georgia’s midterm campaigns. Cody explains why he believes the governor’s debate could matter, what Rick Jackson needs to accomplish against Keisha Lance Bottoms and the challenge Mike Collins faces against Sen. Jon Ossoff. He also says Georgia Republicans are facing the most difficult political environment he has seen and discusses Kemp’s role in helping the GOP ticket, the fight for the state House and what could come next for the governor.    

Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at [email protected]. 

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Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell examine Rick Jackson’s limited interviews and debate participation, along with Mike Collins’ ads targeting Jon Ossoff and questions about his Social Security remarks. They discuss the dismissal of a federal lawsuit seeking Georgia’s sensitive voter data and a Senate hearing’s mix-up over the Atlanta Hawks and Iowa Hawkeyes. Greg and Tia also clarify Keisha Lance Bottoms’ grocery tax proposal and compare the candidates’ plans for Georgia farmers.

Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at [email protected].

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Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy examine the political fallout over a Texas data center project linked to Georgia Republican gubernatorial nominee Rick Jackson, as residents raise concerns about transparency, environmental impacts and local control. They weigh the promised economic benefits against questions about community input and how the dispute is shaping Georgia’s governor’s race. Then, Tia Mitchell reports from the Congressional Black Caucus Foundation’s annual legislative conference, where newly sworn-in Rep. Everton Blair Jr. was playing a new role this year. Greg and Tia discuss Blair’s plans to support other candidates, Jasmine Clark’s preparations to enter Congress and the political relationships taking shape ahead of the November elections.

Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at [email protected].

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Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy examine how Georgia’s next governor could shape immigration enforcement and public education with AJC reporters Lautaro Grinspan and Martha Dalton. Grinspan explains how state and local cooperation with ICE affects enforcement in Georgia, where Rick Jackson and Keisha Lance Bottoms differ on immigration, and how detention policies could affect immigrant workers and the state’s economy. Dalton breaks down the candidates’ competing education proposals, from universal pre-K and higher teacher pay to literacy initiatives and property tax cuts, and explains the funding and legislative hurdles each would face.

Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at [email protected].

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Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy examine the growing influence of metro Atlanta on Georgia politics and what that could mean for rural communities and policy priorities. They also sit down with Atlanta News First political reporter Doug Reardon to preview the upcoming debates between Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson and between Jon Ossoff and Mike Collins. Reardon explains how the gubernatorial town hall will put voters directly in the spotlight and what he’ll be watching when the Senate candidates face off. Plus: what the debates could reveal about the candidates beyond their carefully crafted campaign messages.

Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at [email protected].

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Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy tackle listener questions about the closely watched governor’s race, including the stark spending gap between Rick Jackson and Keisha Lance Bottoms and the possibility of split-ticket voting. They also dig into the Republican debate over whether to keep investing in Mike Collins’ Senate campaign as national groups shift resources elsewhere. Plus, they answer questions about Cobb County school board politics, the impact of ICE detentions on Georgia’s foster care system and when to expect the next AJC-UGA poll.

Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour Politically Georgia Podcast Hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday Mailbag segment. You can also email your questions at [email protected].

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