On this episode of Political Breakfast, the team talks about an ethics complaint filed by Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr against his GOP opponent, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, after Jones loaned his own campaign ten million dollars.

The conversation took place just hours before the State Ethics Commission rejected Carr's complaint based on the fact there was not enough cause to investigate.

Then, strategists Brian Robinson, Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam sort through the importance of the "very sleepy" Public Service Commission Democratic runoff race that was settled last week and what it means for Georgia in 2026.

On this episode of Political Breakfast, the team talks about an ethics complaint filed by Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr against his GOP opponent, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, after Jones loaned his own campaign ten million dollars.
The conversation took place just hours before the State Ethics Commission rejected Carr's complaint based on the fact there was not enough cause to investigate.
Then, strategists Brian Robinson, Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam sort through the importance of the "very sleepy" Public Service Commission Democratic runoff race that was settled last week and what it means for Georgia in 2026.

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

State ethics complaint dismissed in the Republican race for Governor; How November's Public Service Commission race can measure Georgia's 2026 political landscape

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;

State ethics complaint dismissed in the Republican race for Governor; How November's Public Service Commission race can measure Georgia's 2026 political landscape

In 1 playlist(s)

Political Breakfast from WABE

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips