Georgia Politics

Credit: Photo Illustration: Philip Robibero | Source: Getty, Pexels, AJC

The money race: House incumbents lead in Georgia, with one exception

Candidates in some of Georgia’s most competitive congressional races have begun to lap the field in fundraising.

PATRICIA MURPHY

Can Brian Kemp’s Derek Dooley gamble pay off?

The Georgia governor’s decision not to run for U.S. Senate and instead get behind the former University of Tennessee football coach has peeved some of his fellow Republicans.

The Dalton shift? Georgia Democrats see early signs of a Latino rebound.

A political shift is taking hold in one of Georgia’s fastest-growing voting blocs, driven by immigration crackdowns that have rattled Whitfield County’s Hispanic community.

Georgia Democrats take the stage — and play it safe. Here are the takeaways.

Georgia's top Democratic candidates for governor didn't take big swipes at each other during a televised debate just over a month away from the primary.

Politically Georgia

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

Dolezal escalates controversial ad strategy in lieutenant governor’s race

After his AI-generated video portraying Muslims as “invaders” drew condemnation, Republican state Sen. Greg Dolezal releases a new TV ad that goes even further.

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

JD Vance couldn’t draw a big crowd in Athens

While the rows of empty seats delighted President Donald Trump’s critics on social media, conservative student leaders urged against reading too much into the thin crowd.

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

JD Vance heads to UGA amid crucial Georgia primary stretch

The Athens event is part of Turning Point USA's traveling college campus series, with Trump‑backed Lt. Gov. Burt Jones also set to address students.

Your Politics Team

Michelle Baruchman

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

Adam Beam

Adam Beam is the deputy politics editor.

Greg Bluestein

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

Caleb Groves

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

Chris Joyner

Chris Joyner is the politics editor.

Shannon McCaffrey

Shannon McCaffrey is the managing editor for politics and business.

Natalie Mendenhall

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

Tia Mitchell

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

Patricia Murphy

Patricia Murphy is the AJC's senior political columnist.

Maya T. Prabhu

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

David Wickert

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

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

Credit: Jason Getz / Jason.Getz@ajc.com

PATRICIA MURPHY

Can Brian Kemp’s Derek Dooley gamble pay off?

The Georgia governor’s decision not to run for U.S. Senate and instead get behind the former University of Tennessee football coach has peeved some of his fellow Republicans.

Credit: AP

OPINION

America must demonstrate strength by returning to core values and ideals

Carter Center Board Chair Jason Carter asserts that America risks its standing and betraying its ideals in how the Trump administration has carried out the war on Iran.

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

GUEST COLUMN

Poor attendance at UGA Turning Point event shows JD Vance how America feels

Vice President JD Vance came to University of Georgia's campus in Athens for a Turning Point USA event that drew a less-than-enthusiastic crowd to see him.

State Government

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN/AJC

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.

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.

Credit: (Ben Gray for the AJC)

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.

Bill passes to establish a Georgia Music Office to support industry

The passage is a step forward in formalizing Georgia’s approach to supporting its music industry, supporters say.

Credit: arvin.temkar@ajc.com

Bills awaiting Kemp’s approval could impact protests, police, religious services

During Georgia’s 2026 legislative session, criminal justice and law enforcement measures emerged that could soon become law. Here’s what you need to know.

Two Democrats and a Republican secure seats in the Georgia Legislature

Two Democrats and one Republican secured seats in the Georgia Legislature during the April 7 special runoff election.

More AJC Politics

Credit: Philip Robibero

Have a question about the election? Ask the AJC.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's expert journalists take your questions on the 2026 midterm elections.

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

Monday is your last chance to register to vote before the May primary

Monday is the deadline to register to vote for the May 19 primary elections for U.S. Senate, governor and other offices.

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

Dolezal escalates controversial ad strategy in lieutenant governor’s race

After his AI-generated video portraying Muslims as “invaders” drew condemnation, Republican state Sen. Greg Dolezal releases a new TV ad that goes even further.

Credit: AP

OPINION

America must demonstrate strength by returning to core values and ideals

Carter Center Board Chair Jason Carter asserts that America risks its standing and betraying its ideals in how the Trump administration has carried out the war on Iran.

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

GUEST COLUMN

Poor attendance at UGA Turning Point event shows JD Vance how America feels

Vice President JD Vance came to University of Georgia's campus in Athens for a Turning Point USA event that drew a less-than-enthusiastic crowd to see him.

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

JD Vance couldn’t draw a big crowd in Athens

While the rows of empty seats delighted President Donald Trump’s critics on social media, conservative student leaders urged against reading too much into the thin crowd.

Credit: HYOSUB SHIN / AJC

Hyundai battery plant in Georgia set to open months after ICE raid

The battery factory is a joint operation between the Korean carmaker and Korean battery giant LG.

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

Burt Jones proposes paper ballot fallback in Georgia election mess

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones is turning up the pressure in Georgia’s elections standoff — and signaling a possible way around the special-session mess.

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

PATRICIA MURPHY

Lawmakers be warned: The ‘Epstein Amendment’ is coming for you

A bill awaiting Gov. Brian Kemp's signature would make settlements in harassment claims under the Gold Dome more open to public scrutiny.

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Trump endorses Republican front-runners in Georgia races for U.S. House

President Donald Trump has endorsed Jim Kingston and Houston Gaines in the Republican primaries for two open congressional seats in Georgia.