Georgia Politics

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First Liberty founder pleads guilty in $140M fraud case

First Liberty founder Brant Frost IV pleaded guilty in federal court in Newnan to wire fraud tied to a $140 million Ponzi scheme that rocked Georgia GOP circles.

Raffensperger campaign says threatening ‘manifesto’ received before Macon scare

Bomb disposal crews found a suspicious object but no hazardous device as the Republican candidate for governor campaigns in the final days before the primary.

Supreme Court candidates sued the state in secret. A judge is keeping it that way.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution had asked a federal judge to unseal the case filed by two Democratic-backed candidates.

Georgia Senate panel subpoenas Stacey Abrams to testify

The Georgia Senate investigations committee is looking into possible campaign finance violations involving the former gubernatorial candidate.

Politically Georgia

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: 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.

Credit: AJC

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: AP

Georgia Senate panel subpoenas Stacey Abrams to testify

The Georgia Senate investigations committee is looking into possible campaign finance violations involving the former gubernatorial candidate.

Gov. Kemp trims $300 million from Georgia’s budget

The Georgia governor says the cuts will partially offset an income tax cut that state officials say left a $1.3 billion hole in the state budget.

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

Georgia bill tracker 2026: See what passed

From tax cuts to an official state chicken wing flavor, see what bills Georgia lawmakers are considering and how close to passing they are.

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: Broly Su/AJC

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.

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.

More AJC Politics

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

Georgia wrestles with how to govern AI without stifling innovation

Most Georgians think the government should do more to regulate artificial intelligence, according to the latest Atanta Journal-Constitution poll.

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

Gov. Kemp signs law making many metro Atlanta races nonpartisan

The law applies to most local government races in Democratic-dominated areas. A court challenge is expected.

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC

Gov. Kemp trims $300 million from Georgia’s budget

The Georgia governor says the cuts will partially offset an income tax cut that state officials say left a $1.3 billion hole in the state budget.

Credit: Jason Getz/AJC

Georgia bill tracker 2026: See what passed

From tax cuts to an official state chicken wing flavor, see what bills Georgia lawmakers are considering and how close to passing they are.

Credit: Ben Hendren

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

All eyes on the governor as ‘Decision Day’ 2026 gets underway

Gov. Brian Kemp is set to sign Georgia’s multibillion-dollar budget Tuesday, but the real suspense is what he plans to cut.

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

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.

Credit: AJC

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.

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez

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.