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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
A Conversation With Democratic Party Chair Charlie Bailey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:54
Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! Democratic Party Chair Charlie Bailey joins the show for a candid conversation about this year's elections and current events. We begin the show by reflecting on the tragic assass…
Candidate Profile: Tate Holcombe, Alpharetta City Council Post 3 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:14
Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! This week, we have a conversation with Tate Holcombe, candidate for Alpharetta City Council Post 3. Tate grew up in the city he now hopes to help lead, attending King's Ridge Chri…
Fighting Fire With Fire [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:05:29
Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! Fulton County may have reached a tipping point as Democratic commissioners resist a court order requiring the appointment of two Republicans to the elections board. A judge has ru…
1975, Part 10: Gerald Ford Pardons Robert E. Lee (POST DEBATE) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:04
Welcome back to The Georgia Politics Podcast. In this bonus episode, we sit down with the Student Leadership North debaters after the stage lights dim to hear their reflections on how the debate went. Fresh off their spi…
1975, Part 10: Gerald Ford Pardons Robert E. Lee (LIVE DEBATE) [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:22
In this special edition of The Georgia Politics Podcast, we continue our series on 1975 with a spirited debate about one of the most consequential figures of American history. Partnering with Student Leadership North, th…
Qualifying Week Wraps Up In Metro Atlanta [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:33
Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! This week, we break down the candidates who qualified for municipal elections across metro Atlanta. From mayoral races to city council contests, we walk you through who's running…
The Battle to Replace Brandon Beach: Candidate Debra Shigley [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:32
Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! On today's episode, host Lyndsey Coates sits down with Debra Shigley to discusses her decision to run for office and the experiences that have shaped her campaign. The conversatio…
Going Nuclear on the Constitution [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:47
Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! In this week's episode of The Georgia Politics Podcast, host Craig Kidd welcomes Lyndsey Coates and Daelen Lowry for an in-depth conversation on three major political storylines m…
21 Ex-Officials Demand Action in Roswell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:36
Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! Today, former Roswell City Council members Nancy Diamond and Steve Dorvee join us to discuss the letter they - along with 19 other former elected officials - sent to the current m…
1975, Part 9: The New York Times Names Sexual Harassment [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:24
Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! In our return to 1975, we're joined by Georgia State University Professor of Law Emerita Andrea Curcio for a fascinating look back at a pivotal moment in social and legal history.…