Politically Georgia

In a Special Edition of Politically Georgia, host Greg Bluestein sits down with former Republican lieutenant governor Geoff Duncan for his first interview since announcing his run for governor as a Democrat. Duncan explains why he left the GOP, how he plans to take on Donald Trump’s influence in Georgia, and what his platform on health care, abortion, guns, and immigration would look like as a Democratic candidate. 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 PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. 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.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Patricia Murphy speaks with state GOP chair Josh McKoon about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, how Republicans are responding, and what it means for security at political events. Then Greg Bluestein and AJC reporter Zach Hansen turn to the Rivian electric vehicle plant, where a groundbreaking ceremony signals new momentum but also raises questions about jobs, incentives, and the future of Georgia’s EV industry. 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 PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. 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.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On today’s Monday Mailbag edition of Politically Georgia, host Greg Bluestein, with producer ShaneyB, answers your questions about Georgia politics and beyond. This week, listeners want to know how state leaders are reacting to the shocking assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, why Governor Brian Kemp hasn’t addressed the Hyundai plant raid more directly, and where Republicans stand on the controversy. Greg also fields questions about COVID-19 vaccines, Lisa Cook’s future on the Federal Reserve, Mesha Mainor’s new campaign, and what Brad Raffensperger’s next political move could be. 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 PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. 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.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy talk with Republican strategist Stephen Lawson about the fast-moving races for governor and U.S. Senate — including Brad Raffensperger’s next move and the viability of Derek Dooley’s bid. Then Charlie Hayslett, author of the Trouble in God’s Country blog, joins to discuss alarming population trends in rural Georgia, where more counties now see deaths than births and what that means for the state’s future. 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 PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. 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.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s Washington Wednesday on Politically Georgia and hosts Tia Mitchell and Greg Bluestein dig into Governor Brian Kemp’s decision to send more than 300 Georgia National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., to support Donald Trump’s federal surge — and why critics say it’s more about politics than public safety. Then Tia shares a taped interview with Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene, who talks about her push to release the Epstein files, her willingness to break with Trump, and why she’s not inspired by any of the Republicans running for U.S. Senate in 2026. 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 PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. 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.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Georgia’s biggest economic development project is now at the center of a political firestorm. Hosts Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy unpack the federal raid on Hyundai’s electric vehicle plant and what it means for Governor Brian Kemp’s economic agenda, U.S.–South Korea relations, and the 2026 Senate race. Then AJC president and publisher Andrew Morse joins the show to discuss the decision to end the paper’s print edition and what’s next as the AJC goes fully digital. 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 PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. 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.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Greg Bluestein talks with state Sen. Blake Tillery about his campaign for lieutenant governor, his record as Senate Appropriations chair, and his push to eliminate the state income tax. Then producer Natalie Mendenhall sits down with Georgia Behavioral Health Commissioner Kevin Tanner on “988 Day” to discuss the state’s suicide prevention hotline, how it connects Georgians to critical resources, and why awareness of the lifeline has grown dramatically since its launch. 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 PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. 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.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Georgia’s 2026 Senate race just got a major jolt. The AJC’s Greg Bluestein and Tia Mitchell analyze Governor Brian Kemp’s full-throated endorsement of Derek Dooley, delivered at a hometown UGA tailgate. They explore why Kemp is betting on the political newcomer, how Dooley’s football past is shaping his campaign, and why critics say he still lacks a clear pitch to voters. The hosts also examine Buddy Carter’s latest Trump-focused ad, Mike Collins’ strategy, and what the scramble for Donald Trump’s endorsement could mean for Republicans vying to unseat Democrat Jon Ossoff. 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 PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. 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.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The AJC’s Greg Bluestein sits down with Georgia Congressman Buddy Carter as he launches his campaign for U.S. Senate. Carter lays out why he believes he’s the strongest Republican to take on Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, touts his business and political experience, leans on his loyalty to Donald Trump, and addresses big policy issues from drug prices and Medicaid to immigration, Israel and abortion. He even weighs in on a pop-culture headline with a Savannah twist. 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 PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. 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.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The AJC’s Patricia Murphy and Greg Bluestein are joined by Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson to break down the fast-developing 2026 races. On the Senate side, they weigh the rise of Congressman Mike Collins, the challenge from Derek Dooley, and the role of Buddy Carter in the Republican primary. Then the panel shifts to the governor’s race, where Democrats face a crowded and unsettled field that could include Keisha Lance Bottoms, Jason Estevez, Michael Thurmond, and even former Lt. Gov. Jeff Duncan. 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 PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com. 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.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices