Politically Georgia

Georgia's 2020 legislative session begins on Monday, January 13. Host Greg Bluestein and statehouse veteran James Salzer preview the session and discuss: the social legislation and bills that could dominate the session, the state’s budget, and more. Salzer and Bluestein also discuss recent audits of the state’s film tax credits. We want to hear from you! What do you want to see from the Politically Georgia podcast in 2020? Have thoughts or comments? Email podcasts@ajc.com to give your feedback.

2019 was a busy year. In this episode of the Politically Georgia podcast, host Greg Bluestein and former AJC Washington correspondent (now enterprise reporter) Tamar Hallerman look at 2019's biggest stories in Georgia politics and give a look ahead to 2020. Have questions or comments about the podcast? Email podcasts@ajc.com.

AJC reporter Mark Niesse joined the podcast to discuss the reporting and analysis he and AJC data reporter Nick Thieme did that found that precinct closers harmed voter turnout in Georgia. The closures accelerated after Supreme Court invalidated the Voting Rights Act provision, which put thousands farther from the polls.

In this episode of the Politically Georgia, host Greg Bluestein and AJC Washington correspondent Tia Mitchell discuss the latest developments in Georgia politics, including the challenges Kelly Loeffler will face as she takes office as a U.S. Senator, U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath and impeachment, the latest in Tom Graves' district, and more. Let us know what you think! Tweet during the episode using #politicallygeorgia.

In this episode of the Politically Georgia podcast, host Greg Bluestein and AJC Washington correspondent Tia Mitchell discuss U.S. Rep. Tom Graves' announcement that he won't seek reelection and Kelly Loeffler's appointment to Sen. Johnny Isakson's U.S. Senate seat. Join the conversation when listening to the episode and tweet using #politicallygeorgia.

Following the Atlanta Democratic presidential debate at Tyler Perry Studios, AJC Washington correspondent Tia Mitchell shares immediate reactions and analysis with host Greg Bluestein. Mitchell also interviews Tom Perez, Chair of the Democratic National Committee; Nikema Williams, leader of Georgia's Democratic Party; Teresa Tomlinson, who is challenging U.S. Sen. David Perdue; GPB reporter and editor Robert Jimison. Share your thoughts on the debate and this week's episode using #politicallygeorgia.

In this episode of the Politically Georgia podcast, AJC politics reporter Greg Bluestein and AJC Washington correspondent Tia Mitchell preview what will be a busy political week in Atlanta.

In this episode of the Politically Georgia podcast, host Greg Bluestein and AJC Washington correspondent Tia Mitchell provide a Debate Watch Guide. Bluestein and Mitchell will help you prepare for Wednesday's Democratic presidential debate at Tyler Perry Studios, from the candidates’ most recent performances to issues important to Georgia’s that may come up. They also analyze the most recent poll of Georgia voters.

Last Friday, President Donald Trump visited Atlanta to launch a new black voter initiative and fundraise for Sen. David Perdue. Politically Georgia producer Bria Felicien shares the story of what happened that day, from the Georgia Democrats’ morning press conference to the launch of “Black Voices for Trump.” This episode also includes her interviews with black Trump supporters and protesters. -- As mentioned in the episode, we also want you to chime in this week. With the Democratic debate coming to town, we want to know… what would you ask the candidates, if given the chance? To answer, record a voice memo on your phone while in a quiet place. Email that voice memo to bfelicien@ajc.com. Your answer may be included on the next episode of the Politically Georgia podcast. As always, thank you for listening.

In this episode of the Politically Georgia podcast, AJC radio and TV reporter Rodney Ho joins host Greg Bluestein to discuss the selection of Tyler Perry's studio as a venue for the Nov. 20 Democratic Debate in Georgia (as of early Monday morning, no formal announcement from Washington Post and MSBNC has been made about the venue). Bluestein and Ho discuss logistics of the facility, Perry's stance on the 'heartbeat' anti-abortion bill, and Ho, who was at the gala opening, gives insight on the facility as a debate venue.

In this episode of the Politically Georgia podcast, host Greg Bluestein announces a personnel change and a new addition to the podcast and give an update on the Senate races.

Host Greg Bluestein is back and this episode of the Politically Georgia podcast digs a little deeper into the upcoming Nov. 20 Democratic presidential debate, which will be held in Georgia, with AJC deputy managing editor Leroy Chapman. Bluestein, who has attended the Democratic debates in Ohio and Texas, and Chapman preview the event and discuss what the debate means for the state ahead of 2020, potential opportunities for Democrats, what Georgia can learn from past debates, symbolism of the debate location, and more. The two also talk about the latest fundraising numbers in Georgia’s current Senate race and what those numbers mean for the field and contest in 2020.

In this episode of the Politically Georgia podcast, we have  a guest host in Tamar Hallerman, the AJC’s Washington correspondent. AJC Crime and Safety editor Shannon McCaffrey joins Hallerman to discuss an LGBTQ rights case that is in front of the Supreme Court, one of the biggest of the term, that started in Georgia. Hallerman and McCaffrey also briefly talk other court cases along with the biggest stories of the week. 

U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited the The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Friday for an interview with the AJC’s editorial board. In this episode of Politically Georgia we share clips from the interview. Host Greg Bluestein and deputy managing editor Leroy Chapman also recap and analyze the many topics Pelosi spoke about, which include impeachment, Georgia’s role in 2020 elections, national investment in Georgia next year, U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, Stacey Abrams, and more.

In this episode of the Politically Georgia podcast, host Greg Bluestein and AJC Washington correspondent Tamar Hallerman discuss the recent impeachment inquiry out of Washington, along with what Georgia lawmakers are saying or not saying about it. Also, the two discuss a recent high-profile online application for U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson’s seat.

Likely the biggest question to end 2019 is: Who will Gov. Brian Kemp appoint to fill U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson’s seat following his retirement? Last week, Kemp encouraged anyone interested in the job to apply online. Within hours, more than 150 people submitted their resumes. In this episode, host Greg Bluestein and AJC Washington correspondent Tamar Hallerman discuss the serious applicants who have applied for the position as well as potential Democratic candidates. Bluestein and Hallerman also talk about how the public applications took other potential seat contenders out of the race and why Kemp chose to put the senate applications online.

In this episode, host Greg Bluestein and AJC Washington correspondent Tamar Hallerman discuss the Ossoff’s decision to run against U.S. Sen. David Perdue, the endorsements he’s already received and how his 2017 special election loss can both hurt and help him. The two also discuss why Ossoff decided to challenge Perdue’s seat and not that of U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson, and Hallerman also gives a glimpse of Isakson’s first week back at work.

In this episode of the Politically Georgia podcast, host Greg Bluestein and AJC Washington correspondent Tamar Hallerman discuss the potential appointees Gov. Brian Kemp could assign to U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson’s seat following his retirement as well as potential Democratic challengers. The two also discuss Isakson’s return to the U.S. Capitol and more.

U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson announced earlier this week that he will step down from office at the end of 2019. In this episode, host Greg Bluestein and AJC editor Shannon McCaffrey share immediate reactions to Isakson's retirement and also dig into Isakson’s career to talk about why he is so well-respected in Georgia politics. The two also discuss how a second Georgia U.S. Senate seat on the ballot in 2020 impacts both state politics and Georgia's status as a battleground state ahead of the presidential election. Also, Gov. Brian Kemp will appoint a senator to Isakson’s seat, and Bluestein and McCaffrey discuss both the potential appointees and the potential impact of Kemp’s appointment.

Fear and doubt linger still linger over toxic emissions, as a regulatory battle rages in Georgia. In the latest episode of the Politically Georgia podcast, host Greg Bluestein and AJC investigative reporter Scott Trubey discuss the recent controversy involving toxic emissions, after a 2018 EPA report identified three areas in Georgia that showed potential for elevated risk of cancer from ethylene oxide exposure.