After months of candidates stumping for high-profile endorsements, spending millions of dollars on attack ads and traveling across the state, today's the day. 

The polls are open for Georgia's primary runoff election. 

Some of the most contentious races are on the Republican ballot, including the runoffs for U.S. Senate and Governor. 

One race that's gotten some extra attention this week: the race for Democrat Jon Ossoff's U.S. Senate seat. President Donald Trump gave an 11th-hour endorsement of current Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Collins. But strategists ask: why so late? Trump posted his endorsement on Truth Social at 1 am on Sunday. 

The runoff election pits Collins against Republican Derek Dooley, a former football coach at the University of Tennessee, who has the support of Georgia Governor Brian Kemp.

How will the Kemp versus Trump endorsement play-out among voters? Republican strategist Brian Robinson, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam discuss. 

After months of candidates stumping for high-profile endorsements, spending millions of dollars on attack ads and traveling across the state, today's the day.&nbsp;
The polls are open for Georgia's primary runoff election.&nbsp;
Some of the most contentious races are on the Republican ballot, including the runoffs for U.S. Senate and Governor.&nbsp;
One race that's gotten some extra attention this week: the race for Democrat Jon Ossoff's U.S. Senate seat. President Donald Trump gave an 11th-hour endorsement of current Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Collins. But strategists ask: why so late? Trump posted his endorsement on Truth Social at 1 am on Sunday.&nbsp;
The runoff election pits Collins against Republican Derek Dooley, a former football coach at the University of Tennessee, who has the support of Georgia Governor Brian Kemp.
How will the Kemp versus Trump endorsement play-out among voters? Republican strategist Brian Robinson, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam discuss.&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

🔊 WABE Podcasts > News, Politics, Health

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.

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

Georgians race to the polls today for primary runoff election, late Trump endorsement shakes-up GOP race

On this week's Political Breakfast, we talk about a recent exchange between Georgia gubernatorial candidates Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson. It all unfolded in a hotel parking lot, after a Jackson attack ad took aim at Bottoms' husband.

Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson discuss with host Lisa Rayam how campaigns decide whether to rebut a claim, attack the messenger, or just change the subject.  

A quick note: Brian advises Rick Jackson and Tharon advises Keisha Lance Bottoms.

Plus, Atlanta did not make the final cut to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention. Mayor Andre Dickens did not react kindly to the snub. 

In a letter to the DNC, Dickens wrote that its leaders "continue to make the wrong choices," that the "road to the White House runs through the South" and they are "once again abandoning Black voters."

Plus, as Jackson's campaign promises to crack down on illegal immigration, a lawsuit filed by foreign-born nurses against one of the companies under his healthcare empire, accuses Avant Healthcare Professionals of "luring them to the United States" only to pay them low wages and trap them in contracts for years.

On this week's Political Breakfast, we talk about a recent exchange between Georgia gubernatorial candidates Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson. It all unfolded in a hotel parking lot, after a Jackson attack ad took aim at Bottoms' husband.
Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson discuss with host Lisa Rayam how campaigns decide whether to rebut a claim, attack the messenger, or just change the subject. &nbsp;
A quick note: Brian advises Rick Jackson and Tharon advises Keisha Lance Bottoms.
Plus, Atlanta did not make the final cut to host the 2028 Democratic National Convention. Mayor Andre Dickens did not react kindly to the snub.&nbsp;
In a letter to the DNC, Dickens wrote that its leaders "continue to make the wrong choices," that the "road to the White House runs through the South" and they are "once again abandoning Black voters."
Plus, as Jackson's campaign promises to crack down on illegal immigration, a lawsuit filed by foreign-born nurses against one of the companies under his healthcare empire, accuses Avant Healthcare Professionals of "luring them to the United States" only to pay them low wages and trap them in contracts for years.

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens heated over DNC snub, a tense exchange between Georgia candidates, and undocumented immigrant workers file lawsuit against Jackson Healthcare

On this edition of Political Breakfast, the team discusses how billionaire businessman and Georgia GOP gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson signed a new contract to provide healthcare services to workers with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health.

Much of Jackson's fortune comes from the company he owns: Jackson Healthcare.

The trouble is, Jackson said he would shy away from conducting health business in Georgia if elected. This new contract would expire six months AFTER a new governor takes office.

Republican strategist Brian Robinson, who advises the Rick Jackson campaign, Democratic strategist Anre Washington and host Lisa Rayam sort through all the implications.

Plus, U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff went on the attack at a rally in Atlanta over the weekend, and continued to call out his opponent, GOP U.S. Representative Mike Collins, for his alleged ties to white supremacists.

On this edition of Political Breakfast, the team discusses how billionaire businessman and Georgia GOP gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson signed a new contract to provide healthcare services to workers with the Georgia Department of Behavioral Health.
Much of Jackson's fortune comes from the company he owns: Jackson Healthcare.
The trouble is, Jackson said he would shy away from conducting health business in Georgia if elected. This new contract would expire six months AFTER a new governor takes office.
Republican strategist Brian Robinson, who advises the Rick Jackson campaign, Democratic strategist Anre Washington and host Lisa Rayam sort through all the implications.
Plus, U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff went on the attack at a rally in Atlanta over the weekend, and continued to call out his opponent, GOP U.S. Representative Mike Collins, for his alleged ties to white supremacists.

Rick Jackson signs new contract worth millions as November election looms, plus Jon Ossoff attacks opponent Mike Collins over alleged ties to white supremacists

 This edition of Political Breakfast explores the powerful role money and public perception play in Georgia elections. 

 Brian, Tharon, and Lisa examine how candidates with larger campaign war chests often gain a significant advantage that can translate into more voter support.

 We also discuss how a candidate's reputation can be affected by the company they keep!  

&nbsp;This edition of Political Breakfast explores the powerful role money and public perception play in Georgia elections.&nbsp;
&nbsp;Brian, Tharon, and Lisa examine how candidates with larger campaign war chests often gain a significant advantage that can translate into more voter support.
&nbsp;We also discuss how a candidate's reputation can be affected by the company they keep!&nbsp;&nbsp;

Georgians race to the polls today for primary runoff election, late Trump endorsement shakes-up GOP race

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