Tax dollars supporting gender-affirming surgeries for transgender inmates? In Georgia, it's still a 'tough sell' for the majority of the Democratic electorate in this economy, says Georgia Sen. Elena Parent. 

The Democrat has been getting some criticism because of her vote, where she stood with Republicans in banning that practice.

Parent tells Political Breakfast host Lisa Rayam, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson, that she's defended, and still stands in strong solidarity, with the LGBTQ community during this "treacherous" time in our country.

But all agree that the attacks on Parent are worth a larger conversation, on how lawmakers shouldn't cater to extremism on both sides of the political aisle. 

Tax dollars supporting gender-affirming surgeries for transgender inmates? In Georgia, it's still a 'tough sell' for the majority of the Democratic electorate in this economy, says Georgia Sen. Elena Parent.&nbsp;
The Democrat has been getting some criticism because of her vote, where she stood with Republicans in banning that practice.
Parent tells Political Breakfast host Lisa Rayam, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson, that she's defended, and still stands in strong solidarity, with the LGBTQ community during this "treacherous" time in our country.
But all agree that the attacks on Parent are worth a larger conversation, on how lawmakers shouldn't cater to extremism on both sides of the political aisle.&nbsp;

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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Democratic Georgia Sen. Elena Parent accepts PB invitation on controversial bill vote

On today's Political Breakfast, someone paid millions for a new attack ad against Republican Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, to wound him in the 2026 primary race for Georgia governor. 

Jones is the frontrunner in the race, and has President Trump's endorsement.

There's speculation that whoever DID pay, has to be someone on the inside of Georgia's GOP -- masquerading under the name, 'Georgians for Integrity.'

Now, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson speculate who's behind it, with host Lisa Rayam.

On today's Political Breakfast, someone paid millions for a new attack ad against Republican Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, to wound him in the 2026 primary race for Georgia governor.&nbsp;
Jones is the frontrunner in the race, and has President Trump's endorsement.
There's speculation that whoever DID pay, has to be someone on the inside of Georgia's GOP -- masquerading under the name, 'Georgians for Integrity.'
Now, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson speculate who's behind it, with host Lisa Rayam.

A who done it? Georgia Republicans confront the million-dollar mystery attack ad that has everyone talking

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.

Blue momentum: Democrats flip another seat in a special election  

On this week's Political Breakfast, we're doing a recap of some local runoff election results. The cities of East Point, Roswell, Sandy Springs and South Fulton were all electing mayors last Tuesday. Voters chose new ones in all except Sandy Springs. 

The City of Roswell surprised many as a completely blue flip, as former Democratic State Representative Mary Robichaux nabbed 53 percent of the vote, and defeated incumbent Republican Mayor Kurt Wilson.

But it was a different story in nearby Sandy Springs, as Mayor Rusty Paul cruised to a fourth term, getting 69 percent of the vote and a nearly 7-thousand margin victory, over Democratic challenger Dontaye Carter. 

Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson focus on those races in north Atlanta with host Lisa Rayam.

On this week's Political Breakfast, we're doing a recap of some local runoff election results. The cities of East Point, Roswell, Sandy Springs and South Fulton were all electing mayors last Tuesday. Voters chose new ones in all except Sandy Springs.&nbsp;
The City of Roswell surprised many as a completely blue flip, as former Democratic State Representative Mary Robichaux nabbed 53 percent of the vote, and defeated incumbent Republican Mayor Kurt Wilson.
But it was a different story in nearby Sandy Springs, as Mayor Rusty Paul cruised to a fourth term, getting 69 percent of the vote and a nearly 7-thousand margin victory, over Democratic challenger Dontaye Carter.&nbsp;
Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson focus on those races in north Atlanta with host Lisa Rayam.

Democratic Georgia Sen. Elena Parent accepts PB invitation on controversial bill vote

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