Former Democrat-turned-Republican state Rep. Vernon Jones, who crowd-surfed at Georgia Trump rally, announced Monday he's running for the job of Georgia's chief elections officer. 

Jones joins a growing and competitive pool of candidates for Georgia Secretary of State. 

That includes former state elections official, Gabriel Sterling, who took a ton of heat in 2020 from Donald Trump and rebuked Trump's claims the 2020 presidential election results were rigged. 

Host Lisa Rayam, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson debate if Jones has a chance to compete.

Former Democrat-turned-Republican state Rep. Vernon Jones, who crowd-surfed at Georgia Trump rally, announced Monday he's running for the job of Georgia's chief elections officer.&nbsp;
Jones joins a growing and competitive pool of candidates for Georgia Secretary of State.&nbsp;
That includes former state elections official, Gabriel Sterling, who took a ton of heat in 2020 from Donald Trump and rebuked Trump's claims the 2020 presidential election results were rigged.&nbsp;
Host Lisa Rayam, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson debate if Jones has a chance to compete.

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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Trump loyalist Vernon Jones announces run for Georgia Secretary of State 

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;

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

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 together, enjoyed a beer or burger, and talked. 

Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson joined host Lisa Rayam to do a wrap-up of the month's top political stories in Georgia. 

That includes the latest in the Georgia Governor's race -- as California Governor Gavin Newsom is coming to headline a fundraiser for the frontrunner on the Democratic side, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.

Tharon and Brian Robinson break down the polarizing opinions on this Newsom visit, and the latest shake-up in the field of Republican candidates. 

This week WABE presents a special edition of Political Breakfast, broadcasting from the iconic Atlanta meet-up spot, Manuel's Tavern.&nbsp;
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 together, enjoyed a beer or burger, and talked.&nbsp;
Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson joined host Lisa Rayam to do a wrap-up of the month's top political stories in Georgia.&nbsp;
That includes the latest in the Georgia Governor's race -- as California Governor Gavin Newsom is coming to headline a fundraiser for the frontrunner on the Democratic side, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms.
Tharon and Brian Robinson break down the polarizing opinions on this Newsom visit, and the latest shake-up in the field of Republican candidates.&nbsp;

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.

Trump loyalist Vernon Jones announces run for Georgia Secretary of State

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