Politically Georgia
Your daily jolt of news and analysis from the AJC politics team.
A 1997 photograph of the late Jeffrey Epstein (left) and Donald Trump was posted on a sign at Gloria Molina Grand Park in Los Angeles in June. (TNS)
Today’s newsletter highlights:
- MARTA pledges to boost its police force.
- Brian Kemp explains why he won’t backfill SNAP benefits.
- Derek Dooley asks for some advice.
Epstein pressure
A statue depicting President Donald Trump (left) and the late Jeffrey Epstein holding hands was temporarily placed on the National Mall in Washington earlier this month by an anonymous group. (Manuel Balce Ceneta/AP)
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Things to know
Hannah Joy Gebresilassie posed for a portrait outside of the Capitol in Atlanta in 2021. (AJC file photo)
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- More than one-third of likely Democratic voters in Georgia say they’re either “not so confident” or “not at all confident” that the 2026 primary will be conducted fairly, Greg Bluestein reports.
- The Atlanta Community Food Bank is taking $5 million from its reserves to prepare for a surge in demand during the federal government shutdown, the AJC’s Michelle Baruchman and Amy Wenk report.
- Cost of living concerns are shaping a special election for a Gwinnett County state House seat, Baruchman reports.
MARTA police
Police investigated following a shooting outside of the Five Points MARTA station in Atlanta last year. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)
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New target
Democratic candidate for governor Jason Esteves spoke about federal food benefits at the Capitol in Atlanta on Wednesday. (Adam Beam)
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On the trail
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Two cents
Former football coach Derek Dooley (right) is a candidate for the U.S. Senate. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)
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Told you so
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Listen up
Democrat Peter Hubbard, a candidate for the Public Service Commission, is a guest today on the “Politically Georgia” podcast. (Drew Kann/AJC)
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Overperformers
U.S. Sens. Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock, both Georgia Democrats, received a shoutout from the Welcome PAC. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)
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Today in Washington
President Donald Trump (left) and President Xi Jinping of China, shook hands today after their meeting in Busan, South Korea. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)
- President Donald Trump met with President Xi Jinping of China and is returning from his Asia trip. He’ll also host a Halloween celebration at the White House.
- The House is in an indefinite recess during the shutdown.
- The Senate will vote on legislation to limit Trump’s ability to impose new tariffs. They will also vote on one of Trump’s nominees.
- U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., will participate in a press call with Democratic Party Chair Ken Martin and former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to discuss the impact of the expiring health care subsidies.
Shoutouts
RaShaun Kemp, D-Atlanta, first took office in January. (Ben Gray for the AJC)
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- Thomas Driscoll, a faithful reader of this newsletter.
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- Lt. Gov. Burt Jones has appointed state Sen. RaShaun Kemp, D-Atlanta, to the Georgia Council on Literacy.
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Before you go
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Greg Bluestein is the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s chief political reporter. He is also an author, TV analyst and co-host of the Politically Georgia podcast.
Greg Bluestein is the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s chief political reporter. He is also an author, TV analyst and co-host of the Politically Georgia podcast.
Tia Mitchell is the AJC’s Washington Bureau Chief and a co-host of the “Politically Georgia” podcast. She writes about Georgia’s congressional delegation, campaigns, elections and the impact that decisions made in D.C. have on residents of the Peach State.
Tia Mitchell is the AJC’s Washington Bureau Chief and a co-host of the “Politically Georgia” podcast. She writes about Georgia’s congressional delegation, campaigns, elections and the impact that decisions made in D.C. have on residents of the Peach State.
Patricia Murphy is the AJC’s senior political columnist. She was previously a nationally syndicated columnist for CQ Roll Call, national political reporter for the Daily Beast and Politics Daily, and wrote for The Washington Post and Garden & Gun. She graduated from Vanderbilt and holds a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University.
Patricia Murphy is the AJC’s senior political columnist. She was previously a nationally syndicated columnist for CQ Roll Call, national political reporter for the Daily Beast and Politics Daily, and wrote for The Washington Post and Garden & Gun. She graduated from Vanderbilt and holds a master’s degree in journalism from Columbia University.
Adam Beam helps write and edit the Politically Georgia morning newsletter.
Adam Beam helps write and edit the Politically Georgia morning newsletter.
