On today's Political Breakfast, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson go live with host Lisa Rayam and are honing-in on next week's candidate qualifying period for the 2026 General Election cycle. 

The period runs from next Monday to Friday. Candidates have until then to officially qualify for state races like Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State and Attorney General.

All Georgia Senators, Georgia Representatives and U.S. Representatives are up for re-election this year. So is one U.S. Senate seat, held by Democrat Jon Ossoff. 

On today's Political Breakfast, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson go live with host Lisa Rayam and are honing-in on next week's candidate qualifying period for the 2026 General Election cycle.&nbsp;
The period runs from next Monday to Friday. Candidates have until then to officially qualify for state races like Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State and Attorney General.
All Georgia Senators, Georgia Representatives and U.S. Representatives are up for re-election this year. So is one U.S. Senate seat, held by Democrat Jon Ossoff.&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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Georgia federal and state candidates prepare to qualify for major races next week

On this week's Political Breakfast, the candidates in the Georgia Governor's race are in the final weeks to reach voters -- whether that's through big ad spending, or showing up for public forums and debates. 

The front-runners are still Republican billionaire healthcare CEO Rick Jackson, and former Democratic Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms. 

The May 19th primary is fast approaching, and polls show there's still a ton of undecided voters.

Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson tell host Lisa Rayam that the remaining weeks will make a huge difference.

Plus, Atlanta leaders say they're deeply troubled by the recent uptick in gun violence. Much of that violence has happened during so-called 'Teen Takeovers' across the metro. 

The Atlanta Police Department is still investigating many of these shootings, and are urging parents to know where their kids are...or else face charges.

On this week's Political Breakfast, the candidates in the Georgia Governor's race are in the final weeks to reach voters -- whether that's through big ad spending, or showing up for public forums and debates.&nbsp;
The front-runners are still Republican billionaire healthcare CEO Rick Jackson, and former Democratic Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.&nbsp;
The May 19th primary is fast approaching, and polls show there's still a ton of undecided voters.
Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson tell host Lisa Rayam that the remaining weeks will make a huge difference.
Plus, Atlanta leaders say they're deeply troubled by the recent uptick in gun violence. Much of that violence has happened during so-called 'Teen Takeovers' across the metro.&nbsp;
The Atlanta Police Department is still investigating many of these shootings, and are urging parents to know where their kids are...or else face charges.

Governor's race candidates stumping ahead of May primary, Atlanta youth gun violence, teen takeovers

On this week's Political Breakfast, the final gavel banged on Sine Die. Georgia's 2026 Legislative Session is over. But as the dust settles and bills head to Governor Brian Kemp's desk for his signature, host Lisa Rayam asks Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson about the overall vibe under the Gold Dome. 

The gang shares that the session ended with more animosity than normal between both chambers, and some hard feelings.

That's as lawmakers begin clearing out their desks and refocus on the upcoming elections. 

Besides major offices like Georgia Governor, Secretary of State and U.S. Senate, all of our state Representatives and Senators are up for re-election this year. 

Plus, the potential for a special session? State lawmakers failed to pass legislation on the final day of the Georgia General Assembly to tackle a self-imposed July 1st deadline, to end the use of QR codes to count votes. Now they could be summoned back in May or June, to tackle how Georgians will vote in future elections. 

On this week's Political Breakfast, the final gavel banged on Sine Die. Georgia's 2026 Legislative Session is over. But as the dust settles and bills head to Governor Brian Kemp's desk for his signature, host Lisa Rayam asks Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson about the overall vibe under the Gold Dome.&nbsp;
The gang shares that the session ended with more animosity than normal between both chambers, and some hard feelings.
That's as lawmakers begin clearing out their desks and refocus on the upcoming elections.&nbsp;
Besides major offices like Georgia Governor, Secretary of State and U.S. Senate, all of our state Representatives and Senators are up for re-election this year.&nbsp;
Plus, the potential for a special session? State lawmakers failed to pass legislation on the final day of the Georgia General Assembly to tackle a self-imposed July 1st deadline, to end the use of QR codes to count votes. Now they could be summoned back in May or June, to tackle how Georgians will vote in future elections.&nbsp;

The overall mood, animosity after Georgia's Legislative Session? Plus, lawmakers could be summoned back for a special session 

On today's Political Breakfast, host Lisa Rayam goes live with Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson.

That's as some metro Atlanta voters line up to cast their ballots in a special election, to fill the seat of former Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. Georgia's 14th Congressional District stretches from the northwest corner of the state down into Cobb County.

Voters will decide whether Republican Clay Fuller or Democrat Shawn Harris will represent them in Congress. Greene resigned from her seat in January. She left Congress after a falling-out with her former ally, President Donald Trump. 

The war in Iran has been one dominating issue on the campaign trail. Fuller, who is endorsed by Trump, backs the Trump Administration's strikes in Iran. 

On today's Political Breakfast, host Lisa Rayam goes live with Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson.
That's as some metro Atlanta voters line up to cast their ballots in a special election, to fill the seat of former Georgia Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. Georgia's 14th Congressional District stretches from the northwest corner of the state down into Cobb County.
Voters will decide whether Republican Clay Fuller or Democrat Shawn Harris will represent them in Congress. Greene resigned from her seat in January. She left Congress after a falling-out with her former ally, President Donald Trump.&nbsp;
The war in Iran has been one dominating issue on the campaign trail. Fuller, who is endorsed by Trump, backs the Trump Administration's strikes in Iran.&nbsp;

Georgia federal and state candidates prepare to qualify for major races next week

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