Georgia Politics

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AJC POLL

Gov. Brian Kemp bets his clout can lift Derek Dooley. The test is almost here.

The governor, one of the most popular politicians in the state, is backing Derek Dooley. But the former football coach still trails in the GOP race for the U.S. Senate.

AJC asks judge to open a secret lawsuit from two Supreme Court candidates

Attorneys for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution argue the public has a right to know allegations against two candidates for the state Supreme Court.

INVESTIGATION

Mike Collins says foreign truckers make roads unsafe. His own truckers harmed motorists.

From ProPublica: Rep. Collins, running for U.S. Senate, wants to take away commercial licenses of noncitizens. His own truckers’ record shows death, injuries over the decades.

Federal appeals court rejects ICE’s no-bond policy, a win for immigrants

Immigrants detained at Stewart Detention Center and other Georgia ICE facilities will have an easier path when seeking release.

Politically Georgia

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POLITICALLY GEORGIA

Online betting markets briefly rattle Georgia’s U.S. Senate race

Former coach Derek Dooley spiked Sunday on Polymarket and Kalshi in the GOP race for U.S. Senate. Then, almost as quickly, the surge faded.

Credit: AP

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

Grand jury testimony shows how some Republicans kept their distance from Trump

Lawfare published thousands of pages of grand jury testimony on Thursday from Fulton County's dismissed election interference case against President Donald Trump.

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

Trump stumps for Burt Jones in crowded Republican race for governor

The Republican candidates for governor have all embraced President Donald Trump. But the president reminded voters on Wednesday that his pick is Burt Jones.

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: Jenni Girtman

PATRICIA MURPHY

Michael Thurmond, Democrats’ ‘sleeper’ candidate, is right where he wants to be

Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has a commanding lead in the polls. But Thurmond could be a formidable opponent in a runoff race.

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DAVID PLAZAS

America at 250: Georgia cities like Eatonton restore our faith in democracy

Seven small Georgia towns are hosting the 'Voices and Votes' exhibit in partnership with Georgia Humanities as part of the Smithsonian Institution's Museum on Main Street tour

Credit: AP

PATRICIA MURPHY

Georgia Republicans are trying to hold onto power. Trump isn’t helping.

The 2026 statewide races in Georgia still seem like Republicans’ to lose. But President Donald Trump isn’t making it easy.

State Government

Credit: Ben Hendren

Brian Kemp signs Georgia income, property tax cuts. Now comes the hard part.

The laws will collectively send $2.9 billion back to taxpayers. The governor hinted at potential spending cuts to help pay for it.

Georgia lawmakers vowed to cut tax breaks. They approved more instead.

An AJC analysis found the state Legislature approved more than $3 in new breaks for every $1 they cut.

Credit: Broly Su / AJC

How an affordable housing bill became a tax break for the Georgia forestry industry

State lawmakers ended up approving more tax breaks than they eliminated. Here's how one tax break came to pass.

Georgia begins issuing tax refunds of up to $500

People who paid state income taxes in 2024 and 2025 are eligible to receive up to $500. It's the fourth time in five years Georgia has issued special refunds.

Credit: AJC Illustration

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.

More AJC Politics

Credit: Ben Hendren

Brian Kemp signs Georgia income, property tax cuts. Now comes the hard part.

The laws will collectively send $2.9 billion back to taxpayers. The governor hinted at potential spending cuts to help pay for it.

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

Online betting markets briefly rattle Georgia’s U.S. Senate race

Former coach Derek Dooley spiked Sunday on Polymarket and Kalshi in the GOP race for U.S. Senate. Then, almost as quickly, the surge faded.

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

In Georgia governor’s race, Republicans spend big while Democrats scrape for cash

The four main Republican candidates have more than $13.5 million in cash on hand, more than five times their Democratic counterparts.

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Brian Kemp set to sign Georgia tax-cut bills

The governor has told state lawmakers he plans to sign bills that would lower Georgia's income tax rate and limit Georgia property tax assessment increases.

Credit: AP

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

Grand jury testimony shows how some Republicans kept their distance from Trump

Lawfare published thousands of pages of grand jury testimony on Thursday from Fulton County's dismissed election interference case against President Donald Trump.

Credit: Jenni Girtman

PATRICIA MURPHY

Michael Thurmond, Democrats’ ‘sleeper’ candidate, is right where he wants to be

Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms has a commanding lead in the polls. But Thurmond could be a formidable opponent in a runoff race.

Credit: AJC

Voters back AI rules as campaigns’ fake videos, deepfakes prompt concerns

AJC exclusive poll finds there’s common ground among Georgia Republicans and Democrats that the government should do more to regulate AI.

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

BILL TORPY

DA Fani Willis’ revenge tour? Judicial races suggest an enemies list.

Word in legal circles is that Willis, never one to shy away from a fight, recruited them to run against judges who have irked her.

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

Trump stumps for Burt Jones in crowded Republican race for governor

The Republican candidates for governor have all embraced President Donald Trump. But the president reminded voters on Wednesday that his pick is Burt Jones.

Credit: Miguel Martinez/AJC

Congressman still plans to speak at Morehouse med school ceremony amid backlash

Rep. Rich McCormick is a graduate of Morehouse School of Medicine. Current students say his views and votes go against the school’s mission to increase diversity.