On this week's Political Breakfast, we head northeast, where Georgia Democrats gained a House seat recently during a special election.

Democrat Eric Gisler's victory for a Athens-area State House seat came after Republicans won that seat last year -- by more than 20 percent. Gisler will replace Republican Rep. Marcus Wiedower, who resigned to focus on his job.

National and Georgia Democratic leaders are now all talking about how this shows blue momentum going into the 2026 midterms. 

The win has huge implications and has Georgia's GOP, as well as strategists Tharon Johnson and Brian Robinson, talking about this blue momentum with host Lisa Rayam.

On this week's Political Breakfast, we head northeast, where Georgia Democrats gained a House seat recently during a special election.
Democrat Eric Gisler's victory for a Athens-area State House seat came after Republicans won that seat last year -- by more than 20 percent. Gisler will replace Republican Rep. Marcus Wiedower, who resigned to focus on his job.
National and Georgia Democratic leaders are now all talking about how this shows blue momentum going into the 2026 midterms.&nbsp;
The win has huge implications and has Georgia's GOP, as well as strategists Tharon Johnson and Brian Robinson, talking about this blue momentum with host Lisa Rayam.

Every Tuesday and Thursday morning on the Political Breakfast podcast, veteran Atlanta journalist Lisa Rayam, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, and Republican strategist Brian Robinson deliver Georgia’s best analysis of local politics with a weekly dose of informed, respectful and lively discussion.

During Georgia’s state legislative session, Political Breakfast presents the pop-up podcast Gold Dome Scramble every Friday morning as host Lisa Rayam talks with reporters Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali from the WABE newsroom to break things down for our listeners — the issues being considered, and the bills getting sorted through various committees at the Georgia State Capitol.

Every Tuesday and Thursday morning on the&nbsp;Political Breakfast&nbsp;podcast, veteran Atlanta journalist Lisa Rayam, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, and Republican strategist Brian Robinson deliver Georgia’s best analysis of local politics with a weekly dose of informed, respectful and lively discussion.During Georgia’s state legislative session,&nbsp;Political Breakfast&nbsp;presents the pop-up podcast&nbsp;Gold Dome Scramble&nbsp;every Friday morning as host Lisa Rayam talks with reporters Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali from the WABE newsroom to break things down for our listeners — the issues being considered, and the bills getting sorted through various committees at the Georgia State Capitol.

Political Breakfast from WABE

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Blue momentum: Democrats flip another seat in a special election  

On this edition of Political Breakfast, we're going into the first week of Georgia's legislative session -- which means strategists Brian Robinson, Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam are keeping busy and keeping up with lawmakers' top priorities.

In this economy, everyone wants to focus on "affordability." 

The Senate wants to start eliminating the state income tax by 2032. A proposal by Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones would get rid of income taxes for two-thirds of Georgians, and phase out the rest over six years. 

On the House side, GOP lawmakers want to slow the growth of Georgians' property taxes. 

Democrats ask: How are we going to pay for essential services? And who will ultimately benefit?

Plus, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp prepares to deliver his last 'State of the State.'

On this edition of Political Breakfast, we're going into the first week of Georgia's legislative session -- which means strategists Brian Robinson, Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam are keeping busy and keeping up with lawmakers' top priorities.
In this economy, everyone wants to focus on "affordability."&nbsp;
The Senate wants to start eliminating the state income tax by 2032. A proposal by Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones would get rid of income taxes for two-thirds of Georgians, and phase out the rest over six years.&nbsp; On the House side, GOP lawmakers want to slow the growth of Georgians' property taxes.&nbsp;
Democrats ask: How are we going to pay for essential services? And who will ultimately benefit?
Plus, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp prepares to deliver his last 'State of the State.'

Georgia's 2026 Legislative Session kickoff

On this live edition of Political Breakfast, we cover how two-time Democratic nominee for governor Stacey Abrams announced that she is not running for office in 2026.

Abrams said in a statement that instead she'll continue her work fighting against what's happening in Washington, as "since January 2025, we have watched our nation descend into authoritarianism.”

There's already a crowded field on the Democratic side, including familiar names like former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond.

Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam react. 

Plus, a quick look ahead at some priorities for Georgia's 2026 legislative session, which starts on Monday.

On this live edition of Political Breakfast, we cover how two-time Democratic nominee for governor Stacey Abrams announced that she is not running for office in 2026.
Abrams said in a statement that instead she'll continue her work fighting against what's happening in Washington, as "since January 2025, we have watched our nation descend into authoritarianism.&rdquo;
There's already a crowded field on the Democratic side, including familiar names like former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond.
Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam react.&nbsp;
Plus, a quick look ahead at some priorities for Georgia's 2026 legislative session, which starts on Monday.

Stacey Abrams will NOT run for Governor in 2026, Legislative session priorities

On this week's Political Breakfast, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam return LIVE and wish our listeners a happy new year!

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens was sworn into his second term on Monday, along with all members of the Atlanta City Council. 

The crowd also heard from newly sworn-in Atlanta City Council President Marci Collier Overstreet.

Plus, we cover what's potentially next for Georgia's former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. The Republican resigned from her conservative northwest Georgia district. Her last day was Monday.

This past weekend, Greene continued to speak out against President Donald Trump -- criticizing the U.S. capturing of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.

Greene was once one of Trump's most loyal supporters, but split with him on issues including his initial stance on the release of the Epstein files and on foreign affairs. 

On this week's Political Breakfast, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam return LIVE and wish our listeners a happy new year!
Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens was sworn into his second term on Monday, along with all members of the Atlanta City Council.&nbsp;
The crowd also heard from newly sworn-in Atlanta City Council President Marci Collier Overstreet.
Plus, we cover what's potentially next for Georgia's former Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. The Republican resigned from her conservative northwest Georgia district. Her last day was Monday.
This past weekend, Greene continued to speak out against President Donald Trump -- criticizing the U.S. capturing of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro.
Greene was once one of Trump's most loyal supporters, but split with him on issues including his initial stance on the release of the Epstein files and on foreign affairs.&nbsp;

Blue momentum: Democrats flip another seat in a special election

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