Politically Georgia

Last week, former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams announced a national expansion of her voting rights program and said she would not be running for president. In this episode, host Greg Bluestein and AJC reporter Tia Mitchell discuss the details of Abrams’ announcements and what they mean for Georgia.

Following two mass shootings, President Donald Trump used a national address to support “red flag” laws, which intensified both a national and local debate over guns. In this episode of the Politically Georgia podcast, host Greg Bluestein and AJC Washington correspondent Tamar Hallerman discuss how Georgia officials and 2020 candidates reacted to the idea of “red flag” legislation in Georgia, where residents stand, and how the gun debate may impact Georgia in 2020, from the legislative session to the November elections.

On Friday, Vice President Mike Pence headlined an event in Buckhead, where he warned conservatives of the spread of socialism, at the same time the Democratic Socialists of America’s national convention was taking place in downtown Atlanta. In this episode, host Greg Bluestein chats with AJC statehouse reporter Maya T. Prabhu, about what took place at each event and share clips from Pence’s speech and interviews with local DSA members. Bluestein and Prabhu also discuss what these events mean as we get closer to 2020.

In this episode of the Politically Georgia podcast, host Greg Bluestein and and AJC statehouse reporter Maya T. Prabhu provide an update on the anti-abortion law, which includes new efforts to block the legislation from going into effect on January 1. Also, the two discuss how supporters of the law are using it to jumpstart a civil rights debate. Also, Bluestein and AJC reporter Jennifer Brett discuss the situation involving State Rep. Erica Thomas at Publix that drew national attention.

Last week was a busy one in Georgia politics. In this episode, host Greg Bluestein and AJC Washington correspondent Tamar Hallerman discuss Georgia politicians’ response to President Donald Trump’s recent “go back” attacks and provide an update on U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson (who has been released from the hospital). Hallerman also provides context on why the moment between U.S. Rep. Doug Collins and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi was historic. Bluestein and Hallerman also talk about the growing list of politicians looking to challenge U.S. Sen. David Perdue, with the most recent addition being Clarkston Mayor Ted Terry, and how Terry’s candidacy affects the field of Democratic candidates. Finally, the two discuss how a U.S. House vote to raise the minimum wage to $15 an hour could become a 2020 issue in Georgia, and where current candidates stand on the topic.

We’ve reached the halfway mark of 2019, but the campaign season feel of 2018 hasn’t gone away. In this episode, host Greg Bluestein and AJC Washington correspondent Tamar Hallerman discuss what the recent second-quarter fundraising deadline means for some 2020 candidates and why the deadline serves as a test for others. Bluestein and Hallerman also discuss the questions that remain following the recent announcement of relief expected to be given to Georgians affected by Hurricane Michael.

Opponents of Georgia's "heartbeat" law have filed a lawsuit challenging the measure. In this episode, host Greg Bluestein and AJC statehouse correspondent Maya T. Prabhu discuss the lawsuit, reactions to the lawsuit and potential strategies opponents may use to stop the law from going into effect.

There are months to go before we reach the qualifying deadline for the 2020 elections, yet the races for Georgia's 7th Congressional district and David Perdue's U.S. Senate seat are already drawing plenty of big names. In this episode, host Greg Bluestein and AJC Washington correspondent Tamar Hallerman discuss the names entering the races and the issues that may become a part of their campaigns. Bluestein and Hallerman also discuss Stacey Abrams' trip to Hollywood and how it impacts Georgia.

Last week, Kevin Riley, the AJC's top editor, appeared as a witness before Congress. Riley testified about the importance of local journalism, and the impact that social media and large tech companies are having on it. In this episode, Riley shares with host Greg Bluestein the importance of the testimony and local news, how he prepared to appear before Congress and many other tidbits about the experience.

In this episode, host Greg Bluestein and AJC Washington correspondent Tamar Hallerman discuss the visits of multiple presidential candidates, the role Georgia will play along the road to 2020 and the disaster relief bill that will allow aid money to flow to Georgia.

In this episode, host Greg Bluestein and AJC film and TV reporter Rodney Ho discuss the latest fallout with Hollywood following the signing of Georgia's anti-abortion ‘heartbeat’ bill, including the latest discussion of boycotts from major Hollywood studios and comments from Georgia state officials. Also, Bluestein chats with producer Bria Felicien about former gubernatorial candidate Michael Williams pleading guilty to fraud charges.

Host Greg Bluestein and AJC reporter Joshua Sharpe discuss suspended Georgia Insurance Commissioner Jim Beck, who was indicted earlier this month with charges of fraud and money laundering. Sharpe, who was in the courtroom for Beck's hearing, and Bluestein, who was at the Georgia GOP convention days later, discuss the charges, the fallout and Beck himself.

Many actors, directors and producers who make films in Georgia threatened to boycott the state following the signing of Georgia's anti-abortion "heartbeat" bill. In this episode, host Greg Bluestein and AJC reporter/editor Jennifer Brett give insight into Georgia's relationship with Hollywood and discuss how the signing of the "heartbeat" could affect the relationship.

Host Greg Bluestein and AJC statehouse reporter Maya T. Prabhu were inside Gov. Brian Kemp's ceremonial office as he signed Georgia's anti-abortion 'heartbeat' bill into law. In this episode, Bluestein and Prabhu discuss the signing, the details of the law itself and what's next for the legislation. You'll also hear from both supporters and opponents of the law who were at the State Capitol on Tuesday.

Stacey Abrams said she will not challenge Georgia Sen. David Perdue and run for U.S. Senate in 2020. In this episode, host Greg Bluestein and AJC government reporter Tia Mitchell discuss Abrams' decision, what’s next for the former gubernatorial candidate and how her decision impacts Georgia's Senate race moving forward. 

Host Greg Bluestein and AJC Washington correspondent Tamar Hallerman discuss and analyze the results of an April 2019 poll of Georgia voters.

Host Greg Bluestein and AJC Washington correspondent Tamar Hallerman discuss the big and small donations already coming into Georgia’s top 2020 congressional races. Plus, the two chat about presidential candidate Cory Booker’s visit to Atlanta and their interview with the New Jersey senator.

In this episode, host Greg Bluestein and AJC Political Insider Jim Galloway recap Georgia's 2019 legislative session and give an update on one of the top races for 2020.

Host Greg Bluestein takes you inside the Capitol with his dispatches from the last full week of Georgia’s 2019 legislative session (March 25-29). The week was busy, with lawmakers looking to pass major bills ahead of Sine Die on Tuesday, April 2.

Host Greg Bluestein and AJC reporter Amanda Coyne discuss and analyze Gwinnett’s failed MARTA referendum.