Georgia Democrats believe they are coming into 2026 with momentum.

The party picked up two seats on the Public Service Commission and a special election victory in a Republican-leaning district earlier this month.

“When we see an opportunity, we are going to move on it,” said Charlie Bailey, the chair of the Georgia Democratic Party, in Tuesday’s episode of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s “Politically Georgia” podcast.

Also on the podcast, AJC journalists Greg Bluestein and Patricia Murphy speak to Eric Gisler, the newly elected Democrat representing parts of Clarke and Oconee counties.

Gisler explained how Democrats flipped a northeast Georgia House seat by focusing on affordability, health care access and voter fatigue with partisan extremes.

Democrat Eric Gisler talks to supporters about his Georgia state House election victory on Tuesday, Dec. 9, 2025, at the Trappeze Pub in Athens. (Christopher Dowd/Associated Press)

Credit: AP

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Credit: AP

“I don’t like the labels. I don’t want to support anything because it’s left or right or progressive or conservative,” he said. “We’re getting to a point where objective reality, sound reason and, quite frankly, math is going to guide my decisions.”

New episodes of the “Politically Georgia” podcast are available every week wherever you get your podcasts. If you haven’t yet, be sure to subscribe for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify or any other podcast platform. You can also ask your smart speaker to “play the ‘Politically Georgia’ podcast.”

Have a question or comment for the hosts? Call the 24-hour “Politically Georgia” podcast hotline at 770-810-5297.

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