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 this week's Political Breakfast, we cover majoring bickering between Republicans running for Georgia Governor.  

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and billionaire healthcare CEO Rick Jackson are on the attack.

Jones has accused Jackson's company, Alpharetta-based Jackson Healthcare, of allowing doctors to perform transgender treatment on minors and prison inmates, and placing staff inside Planned Parenthood facilities. 

Jackson has accused Jones of using corrupt fundraising methods, and being a "stone cold liar."

Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson talk with host Lisa Rayam about how that's affecting the other top GOP candidates and the Democrats too.

In addition, the team talks about the travel troubles at the nation's airports, including Hartsfield Jackson International in Atlanta.

The partisan divide in Congress over voting on funding the Department of Homeland Security, has translated into TSA agents working weeks without a pay check. Many have called it quits -- which means if you're flying, airport officials say you'll be waiting at least 4 hours to get through security. 

On this week's Political Breakfast, we cover majoring bickering between Republicans running for Georgia Governor. &nbsp;
Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and billionaire healthcare CEO Rick Jackson are on the attack.
Jones has accused Jackson's company, Alpharetta-based Jackson Healthcare, of allowing doctors to perform transgender treatment on minors and prison inmates, and placing staff inside Planned Parenthood facilities.&nbsp;
Jackson has accused Jones of using corrupt fundraising methods, and being a "stone cold liar."
Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson talk with host Lisa Rayam about how that's affecting the other top GOP candidates and the Democrats too.
In addition, the team talks about the travel troubles at the nation's airports, including Hartsfield Jackson International in Atlanta.
The partisan divide in Congress over voting on funding the Department of Homeland Security, has translated into TSA agents working weeks without a pay check. Many have called it quits -- which means if you're flying, airport officials say you'll be waiting at least 4 hours to get through security.&nbsp;

TSA wait times and chaos at Atlanta's airport, One bullfight after another in the Georgia governor's race

On this week's first edition of Political Breakfast, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson go live with host Lisa Rayam. All have thoughts about the race to represent  Georgia’s 14th Congressional District, formerly held by Marjorie Taylor Greene. 

Greene resigned in January after a falling-out with her once-ally, President Donald Trump.

The top two candidates in a special election last week are now advancing to an April 7th runoff. One, surprisingly, is a Democrat.

On this week's first edition of Political Breakfast, Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson and Republican strategist Brian Robinson go live with host Lisa Rayam. All have thoughts about the race to represent &nbsp;Georgia&rsquo;s 14th Congressional District, formerly held by Marjorie Taylor Greene.&nbsp;
Greene resigned in January after a falling-out with her once-ally, President Donald Trump.
The top two candidates in a special election last week are now advancing to an April 7th runoff. One, surprisingly, is a Democrat.

Will a Georgia Democrat take over MAGA territory in a runoff election for District 14?

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

Trump loyalist Vernon Jones announces run for Georgia Secretary of State

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