Episodes

  • An Election Day edition: Abortion on the ballot, fate of Trump trial stars to be decided

    An Election Day edition: Abortion on the ballot, fate of Trump trial stars to be decided
    May 21 2024
    It’s Primary Day in Georgia! Tamar Hallerman and Sam Gringlas discuss two key races on the ballot today that feature candidates working in the Trump Georgia election conspiracy trial. Judge Scott McAfee, the presiding judge in the Fulton County case, faces a challenger, but today’s vote will determine whether he continues in his job. There is no November election for his position. Fulton County DA Fani Willis is on the ballot. If she wins her primary race against one opponent, she will be the odds on favorite to beat the republican running for her position in November. Then the podcast takes up the hotly contested state Supreme Court race, which pits incumbent Justice Andrew Pinson against challenger John Barrow. Barrow has aggressively promoted his commitment to restoring abortion rights for women in Georgia, but faces potential disciplinary action from the Judicial Qualifications Commission, which has criticized him for injecting a political policy issue into his campaign. Finally, AJC government reporter Maya T. Prabhu discusses races that, because of GOP redistricting, are pitting incumbent Democratic lawmakers against one another. Links to today's topics McAfee & Willis: Trump trial stars face voters today A rare state Supreme Court race could hinge on abortion rights Democratic incumbents forced by redistricting to face one another in primary battles 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.” CREDITS Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Matt McWiliams Editor- Matt Owen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    55 mins
  • State GOP elects Jan. 6 rally organizer to key national Republican post

    State GOP elects Jan. 6 rally organizer to key national Republican post
    May 20 2024
    We kick off a brand-new week of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast with a review of a busy political weekend in the Peach State. The AJC’s Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell, along with Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy discuss what they saw and heard while covering President Biden’s visit to Atlanta which included a private fundraiser and the much-anticipated commencement speech at Morehouse College.   Republican state Senator Randy Robertson joins the podcast to discuss the events that unfolded at the state GOP’s annual convention in Columbus. They included the election of far-right MAGA Republican Amy Kremer, who won an upset election to become a member of the Republican National Committee. Kremer campaigned, in part, on the fact that she was the one who obtained the permit for the “Save America” rally at which former President Trump urged the crowd to march to the Capitol, where certification of the election was taking place.   Plus, AJC elections and government reporter Mark Niesse gives a preview of tomorrow’s primary election. You can see the races on your local ballot at the AJC Voter Guide here: https://www.ajc.com/politics/voter-guide/ Links to today's topics Biden gives high stakes speech at Morehouse College graduation A look at Biden protestors outside Morehouse Biden tells supporters "Georgia is reason I'm president" Georgian who organized Jan. 6 rally wins key GOP post 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.” CREDITS Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Matt McWiliams Editor- Matt Owen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    57 mins
  • Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue weighs in on UGA protests

    Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue weighs in on UGA protests
    May 17 2024
    On today's episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy, Tia Mitchell, and Bill Nigut take the show to the Capitol Theatre in Macon where they talk to University System of Georgia Chancellor Sonny Perdue about recent protests at the University of Georgia. But first, the hosts welcomed Macon Mayor Lester Miller and Mayor Pro Tem Seth Clark. The middle Georgia leaders championed lawmakers’ bipartisan push for the ancient Ocmulgee Mounds to become Georgia’s first national park. Plus, hear answers to questions from the live audience. Links to today's topics UGA properly handled student protests, Chancellor Sonny Perdue says Georgia lawmakers back bipartisan push for Ocmulgee Mounds national park 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 ApplePodcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play Politically Georgia podcast.” Credits Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Charles Youngs Editor- Shane Backler Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    56 mins
  • Previewing Georgia’s Republican Convention

    Previewing Georgia’s Republican Convention
    May 16 2024
    The state’s Republican Party begins its two-day annual convention in Columbus on Friday. With Donald Trump’s allies now in control of the state Republican party, Governor Kemp and other mainstream leaders will once again steer clear of the gathering. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Patricia Murphy, Greg Bluestein and Bill Nigut welcome Columbus’s WRBL-TV reporter Chuck Williams to the podcast to help set the stage for what could be yet another contentious GOP convention.   Then, Georgia State Rep. Houston Gaines describes how the legislation he passed to trigger new investigations of cold homicide cases led GBI to make an arrest last week in the murder of UGA law school student Tara Baker in 2001.   You’ll also hear how the surprising agreement between Donald Trump and President Biden, who will debate in Atlanta on June 27, could reshape the contours of the race, and look at why each candidate was so quick to say yes to debating. Links to today's topics Georgia GOP embrace of Trump hasn't ended internal feuding Family grateful for arrest in 23-year-old cold case murder of Tara Baker Patricia Murphy: Atlanta didn't get the convention, but debate may be more important 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.” CREDITS Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Matt McWiliams Editor- Devan Kortan Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    55 mins
  • Carter Center CEO: ‘No significant change’ in Jimmy Carter’s condition

    Carter Center CEO: ‘No significant change’ in Jimmy Carter’s condition
    May 15 2024
    On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell are joined by Paige Alexander, CEO of the Carter Center, who says former President Jimmy Carter is “at home, enjoying peanut butter ice cream and getting the food he wants any time he wants it.” Alexander also reveals that the Carter Center continues to have quiet conversations with contacts on both sides of the Israel-Hamas war. Plus, Former Fulton County commission chair John Eaves joins the podcast to explain why he thinks President Biden is correct to give the commencement speech at Morehouse College, despite the fact he believes there will be “respectful” protests of the president’s support for Israel. And Tia Mitchell discusses the Democratic primary campaign for incumbent David Scott’s 13th District U.S. House seat. Links to today's topics No ‘significant change’ in Jimmy Carter’s condition, Carter Center CEO says Carter Center's ongoing work for peace in Middle East John Eaves on President Biden at Morehouse Tia Mitchell: Challengers line up for David Scott's House seat Join us Thursday for Politically Georgia on the Road in Macon 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.” CREDITS Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Matt McWiliams Editor- Matt Owen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    56 mins
  • Georgia GOP Chairman says he doesn’t see abortion ‘playing significantly’ in presidential race

    Georgia GOP Chairman says he doesn’t see abortion ‘playing significantly’ in presidential race
    May 14 2024
    On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, Georgia GOP Chairman Josh McKoon tells hosts Greg Bluestein, Patricia Murphy and Bill Nigut abortion won’t play a significant role in the 2024 presidential race. He also commented on his hopes for the Republican party to move forward at the upcoming state party convention in Columbus. MSNBC commentator and Morgan State University professor Dr. Jason Johnson joins today’s podcast and weighs in on President Joe Biden’s upcoming speech at Morehouse. Plus, Gov. Brian Kemp weighs in on the Georgia Supreme Court race. The Republican’s political network is airing a new 30-second spot in metro Atlanta backing Justice Andrew Pinson, who is facing a tough challenge from former Democratic U.S. Rep. John Barrow. Links to today's topics Georgia GOP chairman says state convention will be about moving forward No plans to rescind Biden invitation, top Morehouse official says Pinson ad 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.” CREDITS Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Matt McWiliams Editor- Matt Owen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    55 mins
  • Foul play? State Supreme Court candidate runs on pledge to restore Georgia abortion

    Foul play? State Supreme Court candidate runs on pledge to restore Georgia abortion
    May 13 2024
    A federal court will decide whether State Supreme Court candidate John Barrow can build his campaign around his pledge to preserve the right to abortion for women in Georgia. On today’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Politically Georgia podcast, hosts Bill Nigut and Tia Mitchell are joined by former Georgia Attorney General Sam Olens and DeKalb CEO Michael Thurmond dive deeper into the legal battle Barrow is waging against the Judicial Qualifications Commission.   The panel also looks into the rule the state election board is writing that will require county election workers to conduct “a reasonable inquiry” before the election board will certify the results of an election. Is this a plan with the potential for partisan abuse?   Plus, Political ad guru Rick Dent joins the podcast to discuss the Georgia presidential campaign ad wars. Biden is emphasizing Trump’s role in overturning Roe v Wade. Trump is using the tragic killing of Georgia student Lakin Riley to attack Biden’s “failed” border security efforts. Links to today's topics Barrow wages legal battle to continue campaigning on pledge to protect abortion rights Election board proposes "inquiry" before certifying election results 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.” CREDITS Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Matt McWiliams Editor- Matt Owen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    56 mins
  • Rep. Buddy Carter said motion to vacate U.S. House Speaker is the “last thing we need right now”

    Rep. Buddy Carter said motion to vacate U.S. House Speaker is the “last thing we need right now”
    May 10 2024
    Coastal Congressman Buddy Carter joined the show to talk about the latest chaos in Congress. Rep. Carter, R-St. Simons Island, said he thought Marjorie Taylor Greene’s motion to oust Speaker Johnson was a bad idea. The Congressman also talked about his efforts to get Georgia’s first national park. Then, Semafor reporter Kadia Goba talks to us about a series of controversial tweets from Mike Collins. Plus, we walk through who’s up and who’s down for the week. Links to topics Marjorie Taylor Greene faces GOP backlash after failed bid to oust speaker Rep. Mike Collins panned after appearing to make fun of Kennedy assassinations 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.” CREDITS Executive Producer- Shane Backler Producer- Natalie Mendenhall Engineer- Matt McWiliams Editor- Matt Owen Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    51 mins