Political Breakfast from WABE

Latest Episodes:

Plugged In: Trump wants to dismantle two federal agencies established by Jimmy Carter Aug 08, 2025

Show notes

Former President and Georgia native Jimmy Carter created the U.S. Department of Education and the Federal Emergency Management Agency back in 1979. But now President Donald Trump is calling for these two departments, among others, to be dismantled.

On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali look at how debates over the shape of the federal government during Carter’s time can shed light on what’s happening today.

Plus, a look at bathroom parity at the State Capitol, off-schedule redistricting appears to be off the table for Georgia Republicans, an update on drama over appointments to the Fulton County Board of Elections and census data suggests that Metro Atlanta’s population boom may be slowing.

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Derek Dooley all-in to challenge Jon Ossoff, Controversy with State Election Board member Janelle King Aug 05, 2025

Show notes

It's official: Derek Dooley is the latest Republican to jump into the race to eventually challenge incumbent Democratic U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff. The former University of Tennessee football coach joined the GOP primary and announced his campaign in a video that honored his late father, the legendary University of Georgia football coach Vince Dooley.

Republican strategist Brian Robinson, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam agree: there's power in the Dooley name. But the endorsements are also rolling in for U.S. Rep. Mike Collins.

Plus, Republican Janelle King sits on the State Election Board. Her husband, Kelvin King, is running for Secretary of State. Both are part of the Black Voices for Trump Coalition and have been critical of the current office and its handling of Georgia's elections.

But King says she won’t surrender her position just because her husband is running, citing there’s no legal obligation for her to do so. If he wins, “that’s a different discussion,” she said.

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Republican Congressman Mike Collins is out the gate, launches Georgia U.S. Senate bid Jul 29, 2025

Show notes

Last week there was speculation that U.S. Rep. Mike Collins was going to jump into the Georgia Senate race for the Republican nomination. The Trump ally made it official on Monday, and set the stage for an even more competitive primary.

Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson join host Lisa Rayam to discuss this on this week's live edition of Political Breakfast.

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Plugged In: Inside the legal fight over a new exhibit at Stone Mountain Jul 25, 2025

Show notes

In 2021, the Stone Mountain Memorial Association agreed to install an exhibit about the park's history, including Ku Klux Klan cross-burnings.

Construction for the new exhibit is underway, but the Georgia Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans is suing to stop it.

On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali discuss how the Confederate group is using a state law to challenge the planned exhibit, which aims to tell a broader story about Stone Mountain.

Plus, we take a look at a new committee reviewing Georgia election laws and catch up on the investigation into a lending firm whose founder is a big donor in Georgia Republican politics.

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Two Georgia U.S. Representatives "hint" they'll run for high-profile roles in 2026. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Mike Collins on the fence. Jul 24, 2025

Show notes

On this edition of Political Breakfast, Republican strategist Brian Robinson, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam talk about the Republicans who are "hinting" about jumping into two key Georgia races: The race for Governor and a U.S. Senate seat.

It's all talk at this point for U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Mike Collins. But why?

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State ethics complaint dismissed in the Republican race for Governor; How November's Public Service Commission race can measure Georgia's 2026 political landscape Jul 22, 2025

Show notes

On this episode of Political Breakfast, the team talks about an ethics complaint filed by Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr against his GOP opponent, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, after Jones loaned his own campaign ten million dollars.

The conversation took place just hours before the State Ethics Commission rejected Carr's complaint based on the fact there was not enough cause to investigate.

Then, strategists Brian Robinson, Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam sort through the importance of the "very sleepy" Public Service Commission Democratic runoff race that was settled last week and what it means for Georgia in 2026.

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Plugged In: How Trump’s tariffs are impacting Georgia Jul 18, 2025

Show notes

Tariffs have become a hallmark of President Donald Trump’s second term, but the on-again, off-again taxes on imports have led to uncertainty in the economy.

On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali speak with WABE Business Reporter Marlon Hyde about Trump’s trade policies and how they’re impacting Georgia businesses and consumers.

Plus, a conversation with Lt. Governor Burt Jones, who has announced that he’s running for governor.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jon Ossoff aggressively stumps, seizes opportunity to divide MAGA base over Epstein files, plus a prominent Georgia Republican apologizes for $140 million Ponzi scheme Jul 17, 2025

Show notes

U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff is talking tough on the campaign trail.

Recently in Savannah, he called out the Trump administration for its handling of the Jeffrey Epstein files.

Ossoff also lashed out at Trump for his so-called 'big, beautiful bill.'
Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson join host Lisa Rayam to dissect all this.

Plus, prominent Georgia Republican Brant Frost IV is apologizing for his $140M Ponzi scheme, and a federal judge ordered his assets frozen.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia's GOP Lieutenant Governor joins the Governor's race Jul 15, 2025

Show notes

On this week's edition of Political Breakfast, Georgia's Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones wants in on the 2026 gubernatorial race.

Jones kicked-off his campaign for Georgia Governor in grand style and to the tune of 10 million dollars.

Jones loaned himself the money and made a pretty bold statement in doing so.

Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson discuss this strategic move along with host Lisa Rayam.

The team also discusses how money is paramount overall.

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Plugged In: How President Trump's big budget law will impact Georgia Jul 11, 2025

Show notes

Congress has narrowly approved President Donald Trump’s sweeping tax and spending bill, with most Republicans voting in favor and every Democrat opposed.

Under the law, which includes $4.5 trillion in tax cuts, about 300,000 Georgians could lose health coverage, tax incentives for clean energy will be cut and states like Georgia may end up having to shoulder more of the costs associated with food stamps.

On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali speak with WABE Health Reporter Jess Mador and WABE Digital Editor MeiMei Xu about how Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” will affect Georgia now that it’s law.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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