Political Breakfast With Denis Ohayer

On this edition of Political Breakfast, the team talks about the life of Adriana Smith, her unborn child and a Georgia law that appears to be holding her grieving family hostage. Adriana is brain dead, but has been kept on life support since February because she's pregnant. Her family says it's time for Adriana to rest in peace -- peace that's entangled in a restrictive law that bans most abortions after six weeks. It's an issue people are talking about, including host, Lisa Rayam, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and the Atlanta Civic Circle's Saba Long, who is sitting-in for Tharon Johnson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, judges heard appeals in two major Georgia voting cases. One panel is considering whether conservative group True the Vote illegally intimidated voters when they helped file tens of thousands of voter challenges while another is reviewing Georgia’s political maps in the ongoing fight over redistricting. In this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali discuss what’s at stake for Georgia elections in these long-running federal court cases, which could have national implications. Plus, a messy Republican primary in Georgia for the U.S. Senate is now underway and Governor Brian Kemp has finished vetoing and signing bills from this year’s legislative session into law, including one that could allow President Donald Trump to recover millions of dollars in legal costs from taxpayers in the Georgia election interference case.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chair of the Georgia Republican Party Josh McKoon joins this week's Political Breakfast.  Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam have some questions about McKoon managing party unity. They ask McKoon if he agrees with everything that President Donald Trump has been ordering in Washington, and what he thinks about Republicans who refuse to come together under Trump, and support more MAGA-aligned candidates: AKA, former Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan. Earlier this week, the PB team spoke with the new Georgia Democratic Chair, Charlie Bailey.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Political Breakfast, the team talks to the newly-elected Georgia Chair of the Democratic Party Charlie Bailey. Bailey talks about the bread and butter issues that are key to his party winning in 2026. In addition, he rebuffs the notion that there are major fractures within the Democratic Party, and Bailey addresses how his main mission is to rebuild trust. Join strategists Brian Robinson, Tharon Johnson and host Lisa Rayam for this special edition of Political Breakfast. Tune back in on Thursday to hear Josh McKoon, Georgia's GOP Chair.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has announced that he will not run for Senate. Of all the states President Donald Trump won in the 2024 election, only Georgia has a Democratic senator defending their seat. Republicans had seen Kemp as the strongest candidate to challenge incumbent Jon Ossoff. On this week's episode, hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali discuss what the two-term governor's decision to opt out of the race signals about Kemp's political future, the fight for control of the Senate and the status of the body itself. Plus, we take you inside the Georgia Democrats' election for new leadership ahead of the midterms.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's second edition of Political Breakfast, the gang talks about the plight of federal student loan borrowers who are now expected to start paying them back. That's after being given a reprieve during the Biden Administration.  Plus, Georgia Democrats picked former two-time statewide candidate and Atlanta attorney Charlie Bailey to head the party. He replaces Georgia Congresswoman Nikema Williams.  Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam discuss what this means for 2026 races.  And a new poll shows Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens with high approval ratings going into his reelection.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Political Breakfast, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson join Morning Edition, live, to talk about Governor Brian Kemp's decision not to run for U.S. Senate. The speculation suddenly ended Monday, when the second-term Georgia Governor took to social media, writing: "Being on the ballot next year is not the right decision for me and my family." So then, who is the right person to take on incumbent Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff, who IS running for re-election? Both Brian and Tharon share their theories with host Lisa Rayam. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since taking office for the second time, President Donald Trump has moved swiftly to reshape every facet of government, often testing the boundaries of presidential power, with far-reaching implications for Georgia, the country and the world. On this week's episode of "Plugged In," hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali discuss how Trump's first 100 days in office have left a mark on the Peach State.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

GOP fringe activists in Georgia are now targeting Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, and GOP House Speaker John Burns, trying to ban them from running for office because of their so-called lack of loyalty to Donald Trump. MAGA loyalists in Georgia are rallying in support. Plus, host Lisa Rayam, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson talk, and vent, over parking getting more expensive at Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Political Breakfast, U.S. Senator Jon Ossoff answers tough questions from Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson, Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam. Senator Ossoff, who's running for re-election in 2026, tackles the issues of child immigration, transgender sports and job losses. The Democratic Senator also shares his viewpoint on what he often refers to as the Trump Administration's hold on America.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Over the last few years, state lawmakers in Georgia and across the country have filed hundreds of bills focused on the transgender community. Even as Georgia and other Republican-led states have already passed laws dealing with bathrooms, sports, medical treatment and IDs, the bills keep coming. On this week's episode of "Plugged In," hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali take a look at what's happening in Georgia and how Democrats are responding. Plus, Georgia Republicans' civil litigation overhaul has been signed into law and we look ahead to the 2026 midterms as the field for Senate and Governor races starts to take shape.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A federal court in Atlanta is deciding whether or not more than 100 international students, including dozens from Georgia, can return to school in the U.S. Or if they will be detained or deported. Lawyers for the students say they abruptly had their immigration status terminated by President Donald Trump’s administration -- some who voiced pro-Palestinian opinions online or during student protests. The Atlanta Civic Circle's Saba Long, filling-in for Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson this week, along with Republican strategist Brian Robinson and host Lisa Rayam, discuss this unfolding story.  Plus, the University System of Georgia Board of Regents approved the naming of a Georgia Tech school after former President Jimmy Carter and First Lady Rosalynn Carter.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's Political Breakfast, Georgia State Senator Jason Esteves launched his 2026 gubernatorial campaign. How will he fare among a growing pool of Democrats?Plus, bill signing with Governor Kemp. Tort reform was one of the first to gain his signature. What bills followed?Host Lisa Rayam gets perspective from Republican strategist Brian Robinson and from the Atlanta Civic Circle's Saba Long, who's in for Democratic strategist Tharon Johnson.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After more than a decade with the station, Housing Reporter Stephannie Stokes is leaving WABE. Before embarking on new adventures at the end of the month, hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali sit down with the award-winning journalist in this week's episode of "Plugged In" to discuss what she's learned during her time in Atlanta. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this week's edition of Political Breakfast, the dust has settled from Sine Die: the end of the 2025 Legislative Session.  Republican strategist Brian Robinson, the Atlanta Civic Circle's Saba Long and host Lisa Rayam are now eyeing future candidates from Georgia, including in the race for Governor and U.S. Senate in 2026. Will Governor Brian Kemp finally throw his hat in the ring against Democratic incumbent, U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff? Will Stacey Abrams once again emerge? Plus, Georgia GOP Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene and other Republicans are being accused of insider trading. Greene bought thousands of dollars in stock during Trump's tariff pause. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2025 Georgia General Assembly is over. On this week’s episode of “Plugged In,” hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali discuss some of the major themes from the 40-day session.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this edition of Political Breakfast, strategists Tharon Johnson and Brian Robinson talk about the growing pool of candidates expressing interest in the Georgia Governor's race.  One prominent Democrat, a former Atlanta Mayor, is making her intentions extremely clear. In addition, there are murmurings that more from the GOP are preparing to launch gubernatorial campaigns.    Plus, Brian and Tharon talk about a conservative group's very expensive ad campaign targeting Senator Jon Ossoff's for a vote he cast regarding the funding of transgender women playing sports.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just days after Georgia Legislators said farewell to the 2024-2025 legislative session, strategists Brian Robinson and Tharon Johnson are pondering over its early and abrupt ending--at least on the Senate's side.  What does that mean for a host of bills left in limbo?    Plus, Brian and Tharon share with host Lisa Rayam the big wins this session for Republicans; the major feats for Democrats.  In addition, they chat about what bills will more than likely cross the finish line the NEXT legislative session.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Friday, April 4, is Sine Die, the deadline for bills to be passed before the end of this year's legislative session in Georgia. Lawmakers have been scrambling this week to get bills through the House and Senate, and as hosts Sam Gringlas and Rahul Bali discuss on this week’s episode of "Plugged In," that has led to some tense moments at the Capitol.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

     STRATEGISTS THARON JOHNSON AND BRIAN ROBINSON JOIN HOST LISA RAYAM FOR ANOTHER LIVE EDITION OF POLITICAL BREAKFAST.   THIS CONVERSATION TAKES PLACE ON THE EVE OF SINE DIE.  GEORGIA LEGISLATORS ARE AT WORK SHUFFLING NUMEROUS BILLS BEFORE THE FRIDAY DEADLINE.     BUT, PRESIDENT TRUMP 'S TARIFF ACTS ARE DOMINATING THE NEWS CYCLE AND THE QUESTION FOR BRIAN AND THARON IS: HOW IS THE TARIFF TALK AFFECTING WORK THAT NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE UNDER THE GOLD DOME?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.