On today’s Closer Look with Rose Scott, we speak to a woman who has achieved many firsts and many titles in Atlanta area politics. She’s the first openly gay elected official in Georgia history, and the first woman to be President of the Atlanta City council. She was also chair of the Fulton County Election Board. Cathy Woolard joined the program to reflect on her decades of public service, how things have changed since she first took office, and what’s next for her.

Then, with early voting underway and 20 days until the midterm elections, we get updated analysis of the campaign trail from our political roundtable. Our left and right leaning panelists give their perspective on recent debates between the candidates, including the debate Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Rick Jackson was absent from and whether that could hurt his chances for leading Georgia.

Guests Include:

Fred Hicks, Atlanta based campaign strategist and demographer

Devin Barrington Ward, progressive community organizer and the managing director of the Black Futurists Group

Julianne Thompson, a Republican strategist and the president of Main Street Network Strategies

Cory J. Ruth, the founder and CEO of the political consultant and strategy firm Mergence Global