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Author: Appen Podcast Network October 3, 2025 Duration: 59:50

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! This week, we tackle one of the biggest stories in Washington with direct consequences here at home: the federal government shut down at 12:01 a.m. Wednesday.

The immediate effects are already rippling through Georgia, where tens of thousands of federal workers and contractors face furloughs or delayed paychecks. Military bases could see disruptions, research grants to major universities like Georgia Tech and Emory may be delayed, and federal parks and historic sites are expected to close. While Social Security checks will still go out, programs like SNAP could be strained if the shutdown drags on.

Closer to home, we break down the results of the Georgia State Senate District 21 special runoff, where Republican Jason Dickerson defeated Democrat Debra Shigley 9,432 to 7,009. Shigley had led the crowded August primary, but Dickerson's win ensures the GOP maintains its 33–23 majority in the state Senate.

We also look ahead to the 2026 election cycle. State Rep. Ruwa Romman, a Democrat from Gwinnett County, has announced her run for governor. At just 32, Romman has already made history as the first Muslim woman elected to the Georgia legislature and the first Palestinian American to hold public office in the state. Her campaign is expected to focus on raising the minimum wage, reopening closed hospitals, and addressing corporate ownership of single-family homes.

Meanwhile, Republican State Sen. Greg Dolezal is entering the lieutenant governor's race. A close ally of former President Donald Trump, Dolezal is emphasizing conservative priorities such as eliminating DEI programs, opposing transgender policies in schools, and taking a tough-on-crime approach. He's also known for challenging the results of Georgia's 2020 election and sponsoring legislation restricting transgender athletes.

It's a busy week in Georgia politics, from the fallout of a national crisis to the early maneuvering for 2026. We break it all down.

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

Lyndsey Coates on Instagram @list_with_lyndsey

Proud member of the Appen Podcast Network.

#gapol


Since its start in 2019, The Georgia Politics Podcast has served as a steady guide to the political landscape of the Peach State. This isn't just a surface-level recap; it's a focused dive into the mechanics and personalities shaping policy where it happens. You'll hear detailed analysis of the latest from under the Gold Dome, breaking down complex legislation and the political maneuvers driving the news. The conversations go beyond the capitol steps, however, connecting statehouse decisions to their real-world impact on communities from the mountains to the coast. Produced by the Appen Podcast Network, each episode prioritizes clarity and context, whether the legislature is in session or not. Tuning in means getting a clearer picture of how Georgia's House and Senate operate, the key figures involved, and why their actions matter. For anyone curious about the forces directing one of the country's most politically dynamic states, this podcast provides an essential, grounded perspective. It’s designed for engaged citizens who prefer substance over soundbites, offering a reliable narrative of how Georgia's government functions, fights, and finds its way forward.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Georgia Politics Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Candidate Profile: Rep. Betsy Holland [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! On this episode, we sit down with State Rep. Betsy Holland for an in-depth conversation about the experiences and values that shaped her path to public service. Rep. Holland share…
Crossover Day Recap with Rep. Chuck Martin [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! On this episode, State Rep. Chuck Martin joins the podcast to break down what made it through the Georgia House of Representatives — and what didn't. We talk about the major bills…
Another Calm Week in Georgia Politics Just Kidding [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! We're breaking down a busy week in politics at both the national and state level. We start with a look at the 2026 State of the Union, where President Donald Trump delivered the l…
Inside Data Center Legislation with Rep. Brad Thomas [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! In this episode, Rep. Brad Thomas discusses his legislation aimed at regulating data center development across the state. We explore how rapid growth in data infrastructure is sha…
1976, Part 4: Building a President Jimmy Carter, Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

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Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! This week on The Georgia Politics Podcast, we trace the remarkable rise of Georgia Governor Jimmy Carter from the Gold Dome to the White House. How did a little-known, one-term go…
Remembering Rev. Jesse Jackson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:06
Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! We are taking a deep dive into the life and legacy of Jesse Jackson — and the lasting political impact he leaves behind. From his early days working alongside Martin Luther King J…
Surprise Entry Jolts the Georgia Governor Race [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:10
Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! This week, we dive into the seismic shake-up underway in the race for Georgia governor. Billionaire health care executive Rick Jackson has thrown his hat into the GOP primary, stu…
1976, Part 3: The Olympics Colorado Rejected [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:07
Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! It's 1976 again, and in this episode, we take a deep dive into the unusual story behind the 1976 Winter Olympics — the Games that were awarded to Denver, Colorado, and then dramat…
1976, Part 2: Buckley v. Valeo [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:58
Part two of The Georgia Politics Podcast's special mini-series on the pivotal year of 1976 turns to one of the most influential — and still debated — Supreme Court decisions in American political history: Buckley v. Vale…
Democratic Strategy for Georgia's 2026 Session [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:04
In this episode of The Georgia Politics Podcast, we're joined by Alex Vanden Heuvel, Chief of Staff for State Senator Nikki Merritt, for an inside look at how Georgia Democrats are preparing for the 2026 legislative sess…