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Georgia Politics

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ELECTION 2026

Georgia candidates enter debate gauntlet

The Atlanta Press Club's Loudermilk-Young Debate Series gives voters a closer look at Georgia's marquee races and those down the ballot as well.

Former Democratic state lawmaker sentenced for pandemic unemployment fraud

Former state Rep. Karen Bennett was sentenced Thursday for lying to the government to receive unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Atlanta makes its pitch to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention

Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin visited Atlanta on Thursday, with Mayor Andre Dickens proclaiming: "Atlanta represents what the Democratic Party needs now."

Federal prosecutors charge First Liberty founder in alleged $140M Ponzi scheme

Federal prosecutors charged the founder of Newnan-based First Liberty Building & Loan on Thursday, escalating a sprawling civil fraud case into a criminal prosecution.

Politically Georgia
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POLITICALLY GEORGIA

Georgia wildfires are the latest test for Gov. Brian Kemp

Kemp will travel to South Georgia today to view damage from wildfires that have destroyed dozens of homes.

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Credit: AP

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

Politics placed on pause as David Scott is remembered

Georgia Congressman David Scott, at age 80, died just hours after casting his final votes on the House floor.

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Credit: AJC

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

Democratic Party memo argues Georgia’s political momentum is shifting left

The memo, sent out Wednesday morning, unveils a new "Peach State Gubernatorial War Room" to target Republicans through November.

Your Politics Team
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Michelle Baruchman

Michelle Baruchman covers the Georgia House of Representatives and statewide issues.

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Adam Beam

Adam Beam is the deputy politics editor.

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Greg Bluestein

Greg Bluestein is the Atlanta Journal Constitution's chief political reporter.

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Caleb Groves

Caleb Groves is a general assignment reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's politics team and a Kennesaw State ...

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Chris Joyner

Chris Joyner is the politics editor.

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Shannon McCaffrey

Shannon McCaffrey is the managing editor for politics and business.

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Natalie Mendenhall

Natalie Mendenhall is an award-winning producer for the "Politically Georgia" podcast.

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Tia Mitchell

Tia Mitchell is the AJC’s Washington Bureau Chief and a co-host of the "Politically Georgia" podcast.

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Patricia Murphy

Patricia Murphy is the AJC's senior political columnist.

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Maya T. Prabhu

Maya T. Prabhu covers the Georgia Senate and statewide issues as a government reporter for The AJC.

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David Wickert

David Wickert writes about the state budget, finance and voting issues.

Sponsored Content
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How nurses are fueling progress at Northeast Georgia Health System
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Nurses: Enter now to win a cabin trip to the mountains of Georgia!
Northside Hospital and The Atlanta Journal-Constitution know how much nurses need some relaxation. To help, we’re...
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How Wellstar’s CareerCare program transformed one employee’s journey
More than two decades into her career at Wellstar Health System, Deidre Jenkins wasn’t ready to retire — she was ready...

Georgia Legislative Session Preview

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Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Will Georgia lawmakers revive any bills left unfinished in 2025?

The Georgia General Assembly operates on a two-year biennium, meaning any legislation filed during the first year is still in play for the 2026 session.

Trump wants states to back down on AI laws. Will Georgia follow along?

President Donald Trump's executive order aimed at limiting state AI laws could place Georgia lawmakers in a difficult spot as they intend to push for AI regulations.

‘Affordability’ is the political buzzword of 2026

“Affordability” means different things to different people, and the political parties are offering distinct solutions to voters’ financial worries.

Georgia lawmakers return to Atlanta for 2026 legislative session

The state’s lawmakers return to Atlanta Monday to kick off the second year of the two-year legislative session.

Opinion and Voices

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Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

GUEST COLUMNIST

How rural Georgians are benefiting from the One Big Beautiful Bill

In Georgia and across America, farmers and generational farms are at risk of shuttering, which impacts jobs, the food supply and the lifeblood or rural communities.

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BILL TORPY

Sly, sneaky or annoying, Rick Jackson has taken the lead in Guv race

Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones now finds himself trailing Rick Jackson in the governor's race. Anti-Jones ads purchased by a dark money group are a big reason why.

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Credit: AJC staff

PATRICIA MURPHY

U.S. Rep. David Scott’s ‘great American story’

From humble beginnings to the House of Representatives, Scott had an inspiring life.

State Government

Views to The Georgia State Capitol in Atlanta shown on Thursday, April 3, 2025. (Natrice Miller/AJC)

Credit: Natrice Miller/AJC

Democrats want to flip the Georgia Legislature. The primary offers a preview.

Republicans have controlled the General Assembly for years, but Democrats are aiming to narrow the gap between them and the majority party during the midterms.

Former Democratic state lawmaker sentenced for pandemic unemployment fraud

Former state Rep. Karen Bennett was sentenced Thursday for lying to the government to receive unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to a new report by the mental health advocacy organization Inseparable, Georgia only meets 45% of its mental health workforce needs. Pictured is a social worker from the homeless outreach group InTown Cares helping residents of Atlanta's Cooper Street encampment in 2024. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez

GUEST COLUMN

Too many Americans can’t get mental health treatment. Georgia can do better.

Research shows that only a half of Americans are able to get the mental health treatment they need, and that puts a strain on professionals and society.

State Election Board meets as Georgia faces an election crisis

Georgia's State Election Board could consider advancing a petition to switch to hand-marked paper ballots amid a looming July deadline to stop counting votes with QR codes.

Julie Garrison (left) and Jennifer Pennington cast votes in a runoff special election at the Buzz Ahrens Recreation Center in Canton in January. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Georgia election officials have no idea how to run elections after July

Election officials who have navigated every overhaul of Georgia's voting system are facing something new — a deadline with no road map and no funding to comply.

Georgia’s Democratic candidates for governor debate school issues

Teachers wanted to know about candidates’ plans to recruit and retain educators and how they would help schools in high-poverty areas.

More AJC Politics

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Credit: Philip Robibero

U.S. House District 13: A suddenly wide-open race in metro Atlanta

U.S. Rep. David Scott had been running for a 13th term. But his death on April 22 has created another open congressional seat in Georgia.

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Credit: Philip Robibero

U.S. House District 14: Deja vu in NW Georgia as voters again head to the polls

In Marjorie Taylor Greene's old district, a voting marathon is underway to pick her successor.

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Credit: Philip Robibero

U.S. House District 5: Williams dominates Atlanta re-election race

Atlanta U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams is expected to cruise to reelection in her overwhelmingly Democratic district.

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Credit: Philip Robibero

U.S. House District 6: McBath seeks 4th term after dropping bid for governor

Lucy McBath faces no Democratic primary opposition but two Republicans are running to face her in November.

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Credit: Philip Robibero

U.S. House District 10: Trump support faces test in race to replace Collins

Three Democrats and three Republicans are competing in Georgia’s 10th congressional district after Mike Collins decided to run for Senate.

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Credit: Philip Robibero

U.S. House District 7: Clear GOP path for McCormick after fiery town hall

Rich McCormick faces no Republican opposition as he seeks a third term representing the suburban 7th District north of Atlanta.

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Credit: Philip Robibero

U.S. House District 2: Bishop avoids primary challenge in SW Georgia

U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop is running unopposed in the Democratic primary as he seeks 18th term in Congress.

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Credit: Philip Robibero

U.S. House District 1: Open seat sparks a 14-way battle along Georgia coast

Fourteen candidates are vying to succeed U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter in a crowded in a coastal Georgia race.

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Credit: Philip Robibero

U.S. House District 3: Jack cruises into primary with no Republican opponent

U.S. Rep. Brian Jack has no Republican opposition as he seeks a second term in Congress.

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Credit: Philip Robibero

U.S. House District 11: Surprise retirement sets off scramble in Atlanta suburbs

Competitive GOP field emerges in Georgia’s 11th district as eight Republicans seek Barry Loudermilk's seat.