On this week’s special Independence Day encore episode of “Plugged In: A WABE Politics Podcast,” politics reporter Sam Gringlas takes listeners on a summer road trip to a pair of towns that helped shape former presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Georgia’s own Jimmy Carter.

On this week&rsquo;s special Independence Day encore episode of &ldquo;Plugged In: A WABE Politics Podcast,&rdquo; politics reporter Sam Gringlas takes listeners on a summer road trip to a pair of towns that helped shape former presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Georgia&rsquo;s own Jimmy Carter.

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

Plugged In: Come along for a Georgia presidential history summer road trip

On this edition of Political Breakfast, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson are back from spring break -- and are immediately bombarded with political headlines to catch up on.

On Tuesday there's a crowded field of candidates vying to fill Georgia's 14th Congressional District seat, left vacant by former Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. One person watching this race closely is MTG's former ally, President Donald Trump. 

Plus, Brian and Tharon wrap-up 2026 General Election candidate qualifying news, and analyze which bills "crossed over" to the state House or Senate on Crossover Day -- the halfway mark during Georgia's legislative session. What's now getting all the attention under Georgia's Gold Dome? 

The group also recaps the U.S.-Israeli airstrkes on Iran and the escalating geopolitical conflict in the region. That's spiking gas prices at the pump across Georgia and the nation. 

The current average price of regular gas in Atlanta is $3.36 cents. It's gone up 68 cents in the last month, when prices were at an average of $2.68, according to AAA. 

On this edition of Political Breakfast, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson are back from spring break -- and are immediately bombarded with political headlines to catch up on.
On Tuesday there's a crowded field of candidates vying to fill Georgia's 14th Congressional District seat, left vacant by former Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene. One person watching this race closely is MTG's former ally, President Donald Trump.&nbsp;
Plus, Brian and Tharon wrap-up 2026 General Election candidate qualifying news, and analyze which bills "crossed over" to the state House or Senate on Crossover Day -- the halfway mark during Georgia's legislative session. What's now getting all the attention under Georgia's Gold Dome?&nbsp;
The group also recaps the U.S.-Israeli airstrkes on Iran and the escalating geopolitical conflict in the region. That's spiking gas prices at the pump across Georgia and the nation.&nbsp;
The current average price of regular gas in Atlanta is $3.36 cents. It's gone up 68 cents in the last month, when prices were at an average of $2.68, according to AAA.&nbsp;

Covering special election to fill Marjorie Taylor Greene's seat, Georgia candidates qualify, Crossover Day wrap-up, Political consequences as Iran conflict intensifies

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;

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

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 comments Newsom made alongside moderator and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens sparked controversy -- and parts of his speech, edited and shared without full context, are being amplified by MAGA media and some Republican lawmakers, including President Trump himself. 

Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson calls it rage bait. Republican strategist Brian Robinson says, it's all part of politics. Both break down this viral Newsom video with host Lisa Rayam.

Plus, a federal judge just ruled against Republican Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, deciding that Jones can no longer raise millions for his campaign through a special fundraising committee. It's a blow to Jones' campaign. 

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.&nbsp;
But some comments Newsom made alongside moderator and Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens sparked controversy -- and parts of his speech, edited and shared without full context, are being amplified by MAGA media and some Republican lawmakers, including President Trump himself.&nbsp;
Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson calls it rage bait. Republican strategist Brian Robinson says, it's all part of politics. Both break down this viral Newsom video with host Lisa Rayam.
Plus, a federal judge just ruled against Republican Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, deciding that Jones can no longer raise millions for his campaign through a special fundraising committee. It's a blow to Jones' campaign.&nbsp;

Plugged In: Come along for a Georgia presidential history summer road trip

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