Political Breakfast from WABE

Latest Episodes:

Plugged In: Judges weigh two major Georgia voting cases that could have national implications May 16, 2025

Show notes

This week, judges heard appeals in two major Georgia voting cases.

One panel is considering whether conservative group True the Vote illegally intimidated voters when they helped file tens of thousands of voter challenges while another is reviewing Georgia’s political maps in the ongoing fight over redistricting.

In this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali discuss what’s at stake for Georgia elections in these long-running federal court cases, which could have national implications.

Plus, a messy Republican primary in Georgia for the U.S. Senate is now underway and Governor Brian Kemp has finished vetoing and signing bills from this year’s legislative session into law, including one that could allow President Donald Trump to recover millions of dollars in legal costs from taxpayers in the Georgia election interference case.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No questions off limits with Georgia GOP Chairman Josh McKoon May 15, 2025

Show notes

Chair of the Georgia Republican Party Josh McKoon joins this week's Political Breakfast.

Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam have some questions about McKoon managing party unity.

They ask McKoon if he agrees with everything that President Donald Trump has been ordering in Washington, and what he thinks about Republicans who refuse to come together under Trump, and support more MAGA-aligned candidates: AKA, former Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan.

Earlier this week, the PB team spoke with the new Georgia Democratic Chair, Charlie Bailey.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Georgia Democratic Chair Charlie Bailey joins Political Breakfast, addresses tensions ahead of 2026 races May 13, 2025

Show notes

On this edition of Political Breakfast, the team talks to the newly-elected Georgia Chair of the Democratic Party Charlie Bailey.

Bailey talks about the bread and butter issues that are key to his party winning in 2026.

In addition, he rebuffs the notion that there are major fractures within the Democratic Party, and Bailey addresses how his main mission is to rebuild trust.

Join strategists Brian Robinson, Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam for this special edition of Political Breakfast.
Tune back in on Thursday to hear Josh McKoon, Georgia's GOP Chair.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Plugged In: Governor Kemp's big decision shakes up Senate fight May 09, 2025

Show notes

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has announced that he will not run for Senate.

Of all the states President Donald Trump won in the 2024 election, only Georgia has a Democratic senator defending their seat. Republicans had seen Kemp as the strongest candidate to challenge incumbent Jon Ossoff.

On this week's episode, hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali discuss what the two-term governor's decision to opt out of the race signals about Kemp's political future, the fight for control of the Senate and the status of the body itself.

Plus, we take you inside the Georgia Democrats' election for new leadership ahead of the midterms.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Trump tells student loan borrowers to pay up, Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens approval ratings, New Georgia Democratic head chair May 08, 2025

Show notes

On this week's second edition of Political Breakfast, the gang talks about the plight of federal student loan borrowers who are now expected to start paying them back. That's after being given a reprieve during the Biden Administration.

Plus, Georgia Democrats picked former two-time statewide candidate and Atlanta attorney Charlie Bailey to head the party. He replaces Georgia Congresswoman Nikema Williams.

Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam discuss what this means for 2026 races.

And a new poll shows Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens with high approval ratings going into his reelection.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gov. Brian Kemp says he will NOT run for U.S. Senate in 2026 May 06, 2025

Show notes

On this edition of Political Breakfast, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson join Morning Edition, live, to talk about Governor Brian Kemp's decision not to run for U.S. Senate.

The speculation suddenly ended Monday, when the second-term Georgia Governor took to social media, writing: "Being on the ballot next year is not the right decision for me and my family."

So then, who is the right person to take on incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, who IS running for re-election?

Both Brian and Tharon share their theories with host Lisa Rayam.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Plugged In: How Trump's first 100 days have impacted Georgia May 02, 2025

Show notes

Since taking office for the second time, President Donald Trump has moved swiftly to reshape every facet of government, often testing the boundaries of presidential power, with far-reaching implications for Georgia, the country and the world.

On this week's episode of "Plugged In," hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali discuss how Trump's first 100 days in office have left a mark on the Peach State.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Burns and Raffensperger latest to face MAGA backlash, sky-high prices at Atlanta airport parking lots May 01, 2025

Show notes

GOP fringe activists in Georgia are now targeting Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, and GOP House Speaker John Burns, trying to ban them from running for office because of their so-called lack of loyalty to Donald Trump.

MAGA loyalists in Georgia are rallying in support.

Plus, host Lisa Rayam, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson talk, and vent, over parking getting more expensive at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff sits down at the Political Breakfast table Apr 28, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Political Breakfast, U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff answers tough questions from Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam.

Senator Ossoff, who's running for re-election in 2026, tackles the issues of child immigration, transgender sports and job losses. The Democratic Senator also shares his viewpoint on what he often refers to as the Trump Administration's hold on America.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Plugged In: Mirroring national trend, Georgia continues passing laws targeting transgender community Apr 25, 2025

Show notes

Over the last few years, state lawmakers in Georgia and across the country have filed hundreds of bills focused on the transgender community.

Even as Georgia and other Republican-led states have already passed laws dealing with bathrooms, sports, medical treatment and IDs, the bills keep coming. On this week's episode of "Plugged In," hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali take a look at what's happening in Georgia and how Democrats are responding.

Plus, Georgia Republicans' civil litigation overhaul has been signed into law and we look ahead to the 2026 midterms as the field for Senate and Governor races starts to take shape.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Political Breakfast from WABE

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected