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

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 …

Gavin Newsom's Atlanta visit met with mixed reviews, federal judge rules against Lt. Gov. Burt Jones

California Governor Gavin Newsom came to town to stump for former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms in the Georgia governor's race over the weekend. He stressed how important it is for voters to mobilize, especially in wake of the recent federal raid on Fulton County's election office.  But some…

California Governor Gavin Newsom comes to stump for Keisha Lance Bottoms in governor's race, and that's a nail-biting choice for some Democrats. Plus, why many Republicans are excited about the visit.

This week WABE presents a special edition of Political Breakfast, broadcasting from the iconic Atlanta meet-up spot, Manuel's Tavern.  Opened decades ago by Atlanta's own fiery politician Manuel Maloof, it's well-known watering hole where folks from both sides of the aisle, have always sat togethe…

Georgia Republicans are all-in on cutting taxes this legislative session. Will these bills cross the finish line?

This week on Political Breakfast, we're talking taxes.  Republican Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones introduced officially introduced legislation in the Senate to cut the state's income tax for most Georgians.  His proposal includes phasing-out the tax over the next six years, fully eliminating it b…

Georgia Governor's race polling shows Keisha Lance Bottoms first, Michael Thurmond second, but no massive fundraising numbers pouring-in for any Dems. Meanwhile, it's more money, more problems for Republicans

It seems like a two-way race for the Democratic nomination in Georgia's gubernatorial race, between frontrunner and former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, and former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. That's as the latest polling and campaign contributions are reported.  But Democratic strat…

Billionaire businessman joins Georgia Governor's race

On this edition of Political Breakfast, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson go live with host Lisa Rayam, to talk about the latest candidate to jump into Georgia's gubernatorial race.  It's already a crowded race on both sides. Now billionaire businessman …

Fulton officials to strike back on Trump ordering FBI raid of elections hub, Georgia high school cell phone bans

On this week's Political Breakfast, strategists Tharon Johnson and Brian Robinson, along with prominent lawmakers like Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, traveled to Sea Island for a state Department of Natural Resources fundraiser.  However, the talk of the benefit was the recent FBI …

FBI raids Fulton elections center

On this week's latest edition of Political Breakfast, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson go live with host Lisa Rayam, to talk about some jarring election news.  The FBI raided Fulton County’s election operations center Wednesday in Union City, in a searc…

Protests over ICE grow, Georgia Democrats and some Republicans scrutinize Trump Administration's immigration agenda

On today's Political Breakfast, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson go live with host Lisa Rayam, to talk about a looming partial government shutdown.  Congress has until this Friday to pass a series of appropriation bills, and U.S. Senate Democrats are ra…

Georgia Governor Kemp's 2026 budget proposal includes a billion in tax rebates, reducing the state income tax, I-75 improvements, teacher bonuses

On this week's live version of Political Breakfast, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam examine Georgia Governor Brian Kemp's last budget. Kemp laid it all out in his final 'State of the State' address last week, where he also set his prio…