Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections for April 16, 2025

George Washington, recently elected President, left his Mount Vernon home on April 16, 1789 for his inauguration in New York.

“I bade adieu to Mount Vernon, to private life, and to domestic felicity; and with a mind oppressed with more anxious and painful sensations than I have words to express.”

On April 16, 1865, Columbus, Georgia fell to Union forces. The Battle of Columbus is widely considered to be the last battle of the Civil War. Though it is not unanimously held to be, a 1935 Act of the Georgia General Assembly declared it the war’s last battle.

Hall of Famer Bob Feller of the Cleveland Indians threw his first no-hitter on April 16, 1940 against the Chicago White Sox in Comiskey Park.

On April 17, 1944, a fifteen-year old Martin Luther King, Jr., a junior at Booker T. Washington High School in Atlanta, traveled to Dublin, Georgia to give a speech in a contest sponsored by the local black Elks club. During the bus ride to Dublin, King and his teacher had to give up their seats to white riders and stand for much of the ride. King won the contest, delivering his oration, “The Negro and the Constitution.”

On April 17, 1950, the United States Supreme Court dismissed South v. Peters, a complaint against Georgia’s County Unit System of elections.

Each county is allotted a number of unit votes, ranging from six for the eight most populous counties, to two for most of the counties. The candidate who receives the highest popular vote in the county is awarded the appropriate number of unit votes. Appellants, residents of the most populous county in the State, contend that their votes and those of all other voters in that county have on the average but one-tenth the weight of those in the other counties. Urging that this amounts to an unconstitutional discrimination against them, appellants brought this suit to restrain adherence to the statute in the forthcoming Democratic Party primary for United States Senator, Governor and other state offices. The court below dismissed appellants’ petition. We affirm.

On April 17, 1964, the Ford Mustang debuted at the World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows, New York. The world has been a better, if somewhat louder, place ever since.

Also present at the 1964 World’s Fair was the Coca-Cola Pavilion, which included a 610-bell electric carillon that would later be installed at Stone Mountain Park in Georgia, where it can be heard most days.

Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. wrote “Letter from the Birmingham Jail” on April 16, 1965. On April 16, 2006, a new, larger portrait of Dr. King was unveiled in the Georgia State Capitol.

President Lyndon Baines Johnson visited Augusta, Georgia on a campaign stop this week in 1964.

He came with Gov. Carl Sanders, an Augusta native, as well as U.S. Sen. Herman Talmadge, an influential state leader.

Johnson’s national election over Republican Barry Goldwater appeared certain, and a week later he would easily trounce the Arizona Republican.

Lyndon Johnson, however, would not carry Richmond County on Election Day 1964, and he probably got a hint of things to come during his speech before a crowd gathered in front of the Augusta-Richmond County Municipal Building.

He was heckled.

At least four times during a routine stump speech, calls from the crowd interrupted the former vice president who had taken office less than a year before with John Kennedy’s assassination.

“We want Barry!” people would shout.

Johnson didn’t carry The Peach State because he had become unpopular among whites in the Deep South for his civil rights initiatives, according to Merle Black, an Emory University professor who has spoken and written on Southern politics over the years.

Black recalled the Augusta incident in his 1992 book The Vital South: How Presidents Are Elected, which he wrote with Earl Black. He also described Johnson gaining the crowd’s support with the anecdote about his earlier abuse by hostile crowds.

“Earl Black and I wrote in The Vital South that, ‘There was no more booing from the young Goldwaterites after he finished his story,’” Merle Black wrote in an e-mail from Atlanta. “President Johnson’s leadership in passage of the civil rights bill was the main reason he lost Georgia that year.”

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections

Cairo voters will elect a Mayor on June 17, 2025, according to WALB.

The qualifying for the special election was held from Monday, April 7, until Wednesday, April 9.

The candidates are:

• Edgar M. Robinson
• Silvia Salgado
• Shenkia Johnson

The special election will be held on June 17.

Three people were arrested at a Town Hall held by U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Extreme NW GA), according to Atlanta News First via WRDW.

Within minutes, nearly a dozen attendees had been escorted out by police for protesting during the event. Officers twice had to use Tasers and three people ended up later being charged with crimes.

Greene hosted her event amid warnings from the GOP to pull back on town hall-style events after a number of confrontations in recent weeks, including a contentious town hall with Georgia Congressman Rich McCormick.

Greene told reporters afterward that her event had been planned well ahead of that warning.

Volunteers checked IDs at the door, trying to stay in line with a directive from Greene’s team that only 14th district constituents attend the event. A statement from the City of Acworth said at least one person arrested was not.

“Their intentions were clear, to place the members of our beloved police department in a no-win situation in front of numerous media outlets,” read part of the statement. “While attempting to remove the subjects from the event, officers were threatened, physically resisted, and harmed in the process. One of those arrested provided identification that placed them outside of Congresswoman Greene’s district.”

Greene, speaking to reporters after the town hall, noted that people attending had been pre-warned about causing disruptions.

“I’m glad they got thrown out. That’s exactly what I wanted to see happen,” she said. “How people should handle their business is in the voting booth. There’s no reason for screaming, yelling, ridiculous, outrageous protesting. That disrupts the entire event for every single person that is there.”

Greene didn’t take questions from the audience directly but did read and respond to pre-submitted questions on tariffs, inflation and her role as chair of the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, subcommittee.

Greene urged constituents to bear with President Donald Trump’s trade policy as businesses deal with the fallout of a tariff war.

“Let’s face it, $36 trillion in debt, you kind of wonder how Americans are happy with anybody, right?” she said. “I think this is something the American people understand better than Washington, D.C. I’m just hoping that all of us can get it right in our job in Congress.”

Tasers, my friend, tasers. From the Gwinnett Daily Post:

Within minutes, Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Cobb County town hall turned combative, with three arrests made, two people tasered by police and at least nine protesters escorted out of the building before the event’s end.

Some audience members inside the Acworth Community Center cheered as police used a stun gun while taking one protester into custody Tuesday night.

“This is a peaceful town hall ladies and gentlemen,” the Rome Republican said as the man was placed into handcuffs. “This should not have to happen.”

But the night still saw plenty of sparks, including one protester yelling “F— you Marjorie” and another calling her a “butch body bigot,” — a reference to the insult slung at Greene by her colleague, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, on the House floor last year — as police removed her from the room.

“How people should handle their business is in the voting booth. There is no reason for screaming, yelling, ridiculous, outrageous protesting that disrupts the entire event for every single person that is there,” she said, going on to condemn the weekend arson attack on Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s mansion.

According to the city of Acworth, officers were “threatened, physically resisted and harmed” while making arrests Tuesday night. The city reports Andrew Nelms, 40, of Atlanta, and Keith Williams, 45, of Dallas, have been charged with simple battery against an officer and obstruction of a law enforcement officer. Kiyana Davis, 28, of Dallas, was charged with vulgar language.

From the AJC:

Two of the protesters at the Acworth Community Center were shocked with a Taser after resisting arrest, Acworth Police Sgt. Eric Mistretta said. At least six people were ejected from the event, and three were charged in connection with the disruption, one of them with disorderly conduct, Mistretta said.

“I’m glad they got thrown out. That’s exactly what I wanted to see happen,” she said after the roughly hourlong event. “This isn’t a political rally or a protest. I held a town hall tonight. You know who was out of line? The protesters.”

Democrats promised to continue more confrontational tactics to protest Trump and his supporters. Essence Johnson, chair of the Cobb County Democratic Committee, condemned the arrests and said an attorney was already working to clear the three demonstrators who face charges.

David Thornton was elected to Floyd County Commission Post 4 in yesterday’s Special Runoff Election, according to WRGA News.

Thornton defeated Chip Hood in the runoff for the Post 4 seat vacated by the death of Larry Maxey in November.

Thornton received 2,892 votes to Hood’s 1,713 votes.

Voter turnout for the runoff was just over 7 percent.

Rick Maluda was elected to Enigma City Council Post 4, with 68 votes against 63 votes for runner up Jimmy Bennett, according to Berrien County Elections.

Governor Brian Kemp yesterday signed two tax relief bills, returning more than a billion dollars to taxpayers, according to a Press Release.

Governor Brian P. Kemp, joined by First Lady Marty Kemp, members of the Georgia General Assembly, and state and local leaders signed legislation today at a ceremony in Cobb County delivering more than $1 billion in significant tax relief to hardworking Georgians through an acceleration of the largest tax cut in state history and a third, one-time tax refund.

“Here in Georgia, we safeguard every dollar of taxpayer money, because we know it belongs to the people, not the government,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “While other states are running up budget deficits and raising taxes on their citizens, we’re investing in the priorities of our state while further cutting taxes and returning more than a billion dollars to hardworking Georgians! That’s on top of the tax relief we’ve given in prior years and is a direct result of our conservative budgeting. “As families fight through the impacts of high prices over the last several years, I want to thank our partners in the legislature for helping to make this possible and for supporting their fellow Georgians in this way.”

Governor Kemp signed the following two bills today. HB 111 – sponsored by Representative Soo Hong, co-sponsored by Representatives Matthew Gambill, Lauren McDonald III, Will Wade, Bruce Williamson, and Shaw Blackmon, and carried in the Senate by Senator Bo Hatchett – accelerates the largest state income tax cut in Georgia history initiated by the signing of HB 1437 in 2022. HB 112 – sponsored by Representative Lauren McDonald III, co-sponsored by Representatives Soo Hong, Matthew Gambill, Will Wade, Alan Powell, and Shaw Blackmon, and carried in the Senate by Senator Drew Echols – authorizes the delivery of $1 billion in one-time special tax refunds of up to $500 per Georgia tax-payer household.

With the governor’s signature, HB 111 doubles down on the efforts of prior years to reduce the tax burden on Georgians and job creators. With this second acceleration cutting the state income tax rate by another 20 basis points, the total income tax rate will now be down to just 5.19 percent – a decrease of 56 basis points from the original rate of 5.75 percent. This expedited cut will save Georgians another 880 million dollars on their tax returns next year.

“Putting money back in taxpayer pockets and delivering on our promise to further cut the state income tax is a priority I am glad we all can agree on,” said Lt. Governor Burt Jones. “With Governor Kemp’s leadership, Georgia continues to serve as an example for the rest of the nation on how to reduce taxes and give more than a billion dollars back to our citizens, while having a healthy reserve and fiscally sound budget. These bills becoming law today bring us one step closer to eliminating the state income tax, a priority I have always been a proponent of. We are able to do this because we are focused on a stable and prosperous future for all Georgians, while making financial choices that will ensure Georgia’s ongoing viability and financial stability. We will continue to make this a priority, and I look forward to seeing more of this great work in the future.”

After today, through a one-time special tax refund, Georgians who file jointly will receive $500, single filers will receive $250, and heads of household will get $375.

“The Georgia House was proud to champion HB 111 and HB 112 that further reduce the tax burden on hardworking Georgians and put over $1 billion back in the pockets of our state’s taxpayers,” said Speaker Jon Burns. “These historic measures reiterate our commitment to providing much-needed financial relief to families across the state and delivering on the policies that matter most to our citizens.”

Governor Kemp also made note of the General Assembly’s ratification of his suspension of the state gas tax in the days following Hurricane Helene to provide direct relief to families, farmers, and businesses as they began to recover from the devastating storm. He is thankful to Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, Speaker Jon Burns, OPB Director Rick Dunn, and the members of the General Assembly who worked to pass these important pieces of legislation.

From the AJC:

Georgia taxpayers will see refunds of up to $500 beginning later this spring under a bill signed by Gov. Brian Kemp on Tuesday.

The governor also signed legislation cutting the state income tax rate for this year. The two measures combined will put more than $2 billion back in taxpayers’ wallets over the next 15 months, state officials estimate.

The money could come in handy during a time of rising costs, plummeting stocks and economic uncertainty. Kemp underscored the benefit by signing the measures April 15 — typically the deadline to file federal income tax returns. (The Internal Revenue Service extended that deadline until May 1 for states, including Georgia, affected by Hurricane Helene.)

“Our reason for taking this step is very simple: We know this is your money, not the government’s,” Kemp said, surrounded by legislative and business leaders at the Coca-Cola Roxy concert hall in Cobb County. “And we know you know best how to spend it.”

The governor and legislative leaders have made tax cuts and refunds a priority in recent years as state reserve and “rainy day” funds swelled in a post-pandemic economy. Georgia finished fiscal 2024 with about $16.5 billion in reserves.

House Bill 112 would spend about $1.2 billion of that money on income tax refunds. Individuals or married people filing separately would receive a refund of up to $250. Heads of household would get up to $375, while married couples filing jointly would receive up to $500.

Refunds will arrive via direct deposit or by check, depending on the preference filers selected on their returns. The Georgia Department of Revenue will begin issuing the refunds in late May and early June to people who have already filed their tax returns.

Meanwhile, Kemp also signed House Bill 111, which would cut the state’s individual and corporate income tax rate from 5.39% to 5.19% this year. It’s the latest in a series of tax cuts the General Assembly has approved in recent years.

The measure would put an extra $1 billion in taxpayers’ pockets through fiscal year 2026. But individual taxpayers may not notice it much.

From the Capitol Beat News Service via the Savannah Morning News:

“Tax cut bill on tax day,” the Republican governor exclaimed as he prepared to sign legislation accelerating income tax reductions the General Assembly put in place last year.

House Bill 111, which Kemp signed at an event inside the Coca-Cola Roxy Theatre sponsored by the Cobb Chamber of Commerce, will reduce the state income tax rate from 5.39% to 5.19% retroactive to the beginning of the current tax year.

The second tax relief measure Kemp signed Monday will provide a one-time rebate to Georgia taxpayers. Under House Bill 112, single tax filers will receive $250. A single filer who is the head of his or her household will get $375, and married couples filing jointly will receive $500.

From 13WMAZ:

“I’m also looking forward to seeing the impact of the two bills that I’ll sign today, putting money back where it belongs — in the pockets of you all, hard-working Georgians,” Kemp said.

Both bills target Georgia residents’ income tax burdens. House Bill 111 reduces the income tax rate from 5.39% to 5.19% for 2025, but the bill also would reduce the tax rate each year by 0.10% until the income tax rate in Georgia is 4.9%.

While there are some caveats, Kemp argued the bill represents Georgia lawmakers’ intention to reduce income tax for residents. Kemp said that would save taxpayers $880 million during next year’s taxes.

“Today we’re doubling down,” Kemp said.

But, all and all, Kemp framed this as putting money back in taxpayers’ pockets.

“And our reason for taking this step is very simple: we know this is your money, not our government,” Kemp said. “And we know that you know best how to spend it.”

House Bill 136 by State Rep. Mark Newton (R-Augusta) would also provide tax relief by increasing the cap on aggregate tax credits for donations to groups supporting foster care, according to 13WMAZ.

A bill awaiting Governor Brian Kemp’s signature could mean more support for Georgia’s foster families especially for teens and young adults transitioning out of care.

House Bill 136 increases the amount of tax credits available for people who donate to foster care support organizations. If signed into law, the bill would raise the cap on those tax credits from $20 million to $30 million.

It also expands the child and dependent care tax credit, providing additional relief for caregivers across the state.

Supporters say the bill is a step toward building long-term stability for some of Georgia’s most vulnerable kids.

The legislation has passed both chambers and is now waiting on Kemp’s signature to become law.

Senate Bill 79, the “Fentanyl Eradication and Removal Act,” by State Sen. Russ Goodman (R-Cogdell) also awaits a decision by Gov. Kemp, according to 13WMAZ.

It targets people who sell, manufacture, deliver, possess, or bring fentanyl into the state.

Depending on how much fentanyl you’re found with, the consequences vary. For example, having four or more grams but less than eight grams means you’ll be sentenced to a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison and receive a $75,000 fine.

If you’re found with 28 grams of fentanyl or more – which is one ounce – it’s a mandatory minimum of 35 years in prison and a $750,000 fine.

In 2022, the CDC said more than 200 Americans died each day from fentanyl.

Warner Robins Police Chief Wayne Fisher said people who sell fentanyl know exactly what they’re risking.

“And it takes only about two milligrams. If you were to put three grains of salt on your plate, that’s about the amount of fentanyl that would be required to kill somebody,” Fisher said.

The United States Drug Enforcement Administration says fentanyl is about 100 times stronger than morphine, and 50 times stronger than heroin.

“I think we’ve got a lot of work to do to help the individuals that are suffering from addiction. But one of the things we can do is try to prevent these deadly drugs from coming into our streets and our schools,” Campbell said.

Fisher said in 2023 his police department took seven ounces of fentanyl off the streets. In 2024 it increased to 24.5 ounces. And so far this year, they’ve taken down down 7.71 pounds of fentanyl from one operation, and 15.3 pounds of fentanyl with a different case.

“From my standpoint, do I think it will discourage? I think it will discourage. Do I think it will stop it? I’m not naive to believe it will stop it, but you have people that are selling fentanyl that know what the outcome point is,” Fisher said.

Gov. Brian Kemp has until May 15 to either sign the bill or reject it.

The Georgia Supreme Court heard arguments on whether restricting carry permits to Georgians 21 and older is constitutional, according to the Capitol Beat News Service via the Statesboro Herald.

Nearly 200 years of legal precedent should not apply to a 20-year-old man who wants to carry a gun, his lawyer argued before the Georgia Supreme Court on Tuesday.

Thomas Stephens, who turns 21 next year, was denied a license to carry a handgun in public when he applied for one in Lumpkin County. He sued, and his case made it to the high court, which heard arguments by his lawyer and by the state attorney general’s office. The state contends in a legal brief that the restrictions on adults under age 21 are “baked into the Georgia Constitution.”

Stephens’ lawsuit goes to the heart of one of the most contentious issues in America today: how to interpret gun rights under the Second Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. It says, “the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.” An introductory phrase has been a complicating factor, saying that a “well regulated Militia” is needed to secure a free state.

Georgia’s constitution elaborates by saying that the legislature “shall have power to prescribe the manner in which arms may be borne.”

A lawyer from Attorney General Chris Carr’s office argued that the state’s age-based limitations date back to the Civil War era, when he said those under 21 were not subject to militia service.

“The court should stick with the analysis that it’s applied for 180 years,” said Zachary A. Mullinax, an assistant attorney general. “I don’t think that there is any historical evidence that an 18-year-old had the right to carry a handgun in public.”

But Stephens’ lawyer made the case that Georgia’s restrictions are rooted in a time before courts began applying a higher standard on government intrusion into personal liberties.

The state Supreme Court has based its decisions on a “reasonable” exercise of government power to limit access to guns, said John R. Monroe, the Dawsonville attorney representing Stephens.

That was before the World War II era, when the U.S. Supreme Court first developed a higher standard of “strict scrutiny” and began requiring that burdens on fundamental rights be justified by a “compelling” state interest, Monroe said. “Strict scrutiny should be applied to this case because it’s a fundamental right for people to keep and bear arms.”

It’s unclear how the state’s high court will rule. The justices peppered both lawyers with questions, although Justice Andrew A. Pinson told Monroe early in the hearing that he had an “uphill battle” to make his case. That is due to the history of Georgia’s restrictions on gun rights, Pinson said, “which we’ve said arguably is now baked into our constitutional language given that it was enacted and then we ratified new constitutions with that same language.”

Glynn County responded to a lawsuit by Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney Keith Higgins over budget issues, according to The Brunswick News.

Glynn County is asking a judge to rule that Brunswick Judicial Circuit District Attorney Keith Higgins’ office must pay nearly $1 million back to the county for payroll expenses it says remain unreimbursed.

The request is part of a response filed by the county Friday in Glynn County Superior Court to a lawsuit filed last October by Higgins. In his lawsuit, Higgins accuses county commissioners and county officials of racketeering by conspiring to withhold funding from his office.

In the response, the county denies colluding with other counties to withhold funding, claims that Higgins inappropriately used money intended for victims assistance for salaries, and used money budgeted for county-specific employees in other counties, among other things.

Higgins’ original lawsuit was filed after months of arguing with the county over what the county says is $962,607 in unreimbursed payroll expenses from fiscal years 2024 and 2025. The county had for around two decades acted as the district attorney’s payroll processor under a voluntary agreement in which the county would cut paychecks for all the DA’s office employees and would then be reimbursed for portions outside of the county’s financial obligations to the DA’s office.

The Brunswick Judicial Circuit is funded by the state and the five counties it covers — Glynn, Camden, Wayne, Appling and Jeff Davis.

The University System of Georgia Board of Regents voted to set tuition levels, according to the Associated Press via WTOC.

Regents voted Tuesday to hold costs level at 18 of the system’s 26 schools, while costs will rise at six schools and fall at two others.

The typical Georgia school will charge in-state undergraduates $6,466 in tuition and mandatory fees for two semesters next year.

Tuition and fees will range from $3,506 at Swainsboro-based East Georgia State College to $12,002 at Georgia Tech in Atlanta.

The typical in-state student continues to pay less than in 2022. After that year, regents eliminated a fee that was charged on top of tuition, lowering costs at almost all institutions.

But costs are going up for students from outside Georgia. Tuition for students from other states will rise by 2%, while tuition for students from outside the country will rise by 3%. Those students pay tuition rates that are more than three times what in-state students pay. Institutions sometimes waive out-of-state charges.

“The system’s priorities of graduating more students, affordability and efficiency are always at the forefront when setting tuition rates,” Chief Fiscal Officer Tracey Cook told regents during their meeting at Georgia Southern University in Statesboro. “The board’s actions over the past several years have definitely reinforced this commitment to affordability.”

Regents have generally held tuition flat for seven of the previous 10 years. Georgia’s typical tuition and fees are lower than all but two states in the 16-state region covered by the Southern Regional Education Board.

The Board of Regents also voted to proceed with consolidating East Georgia State college (EGSC) and Georgia Southern University, according to WSAV.

The Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia (USG) voted Tuesday to consolidate East Georgia State college (EGSC) and Georgia Southern University. The vote was announced in a news release from the Board of Regents.

“With initial approval today from the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia, our two institutions will consolidate to form a single, unified university that builds upon the strengths, traditions, and missions of both campuses. This strategic move is focused on expanding educational opportunities for students, enhancing support services and strengthening the long-term sustainability of our institutions—all while continuing to drive economic and workforce development across our region.”

“The consolidated institution will retain EGSC’s open access mission while becoming a part of Georgia Southern University, with integrated campuses and access points.”

“Together, we will expand opportunities, create a more seamless academic journey for students, broaden degree offerings, and invest in comprehensive support networks to help every student succeed. Just as important, we are committed to honoring the unique cultures, histories, and communities that have shaped both institutions.”

The letter also stated there will be a listening session Wednesday, April 16 on the campus of East Georgia State College where Chancellor Sonny Perdue will talk about the recommendation and respond to questions.

This action is the first step in a process that will take more than a year. Final board approval of the newly consolidated institution is expected to come after a vote by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). A consolidation timeline is dependent upon those approvals.

Georgia’s Secretary of State spoke at the Moultrie Rotary, according to the Moultrie Observer.

During a joint meeting of the Moultrie Kiwanis Club and the Moultrie Rotary Club, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger remarked on Georgia’s election system. His visit came the day after a federal court judge dismissed a lawsuit that sought to stop Georgia from using electronic voting machines.

“We started out Monday with an absolutely tremendous letter. … And this was a good letter,” Raffensperger said.

He said that he had written a letter to the new U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi back in February, “I said, ‘You know, the previous Department of Justice sued us over SB 202.”

Raffensperger’s letter, dated February 4, 2025, formally asked Bondi to withdraw the DOJ’s lawsuit, U.S. versus Georgia, regarding SB 202.

“This litigation was filed by the Biden Administration contesting provisions of Senate Bill 202, a commonsense election reform measure that has strengthened election integrity and voter accessibility since implementation,” according to the Secretary of State website.

Raffensperger said, “yesterday morning” and he showed and read from a press release from the U.S. Department of Justice’s website, “Attorney General Pamela Bondi dismisses Biden-Era lawsuit against commonsense Georgia Election Law, advancing President Trump’s mandate to end weaponization.

“’Contrary to the Biden Administration’s false claims of suppression, Black voter turnout actually increased under SB 202,’ said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. ‘Georgians deserve secure elections, not fabricated claims of false voter suppression meant to divide us. Americans can be confident that this Department of Justice will protect their vote and never play politics with election integrity,’” Raffensperger read.

“She dropped the lawsuit. It’s over and so, we’re just really grateful for that,” he said.

He said his office was pretty efficient at what they did. He said in North Carolina there were 150,000 less people than in Georgia and their election division had 72 staff members. Also, he said South Carolina had half the population of Georgia and their election division employed 69 people.

“Guess what, we have less than 30 and we actually do more,” he said. “I will do twice as much at half the cost. And that’s what we do at the Secretary of State’s Office.”

United States Senator Raphael Warnock (D-Atlanta) and U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson (D-DeKalb County) spoke at a protest over federal budget cuts, according to the AJC.

U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock told a group of protesters assembled in front of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that “now is not the time to be silent.”

Warnock made his comments at what has now become a weekly rally outside the Clifton Road facility in the face of massive cuts to the agency by President Donald Trump’s administration. Tuesday’s rally was the largest gathering yet, as retired scientists, recently fired staff and supporters stood on both sides of the CDC’s main entrance, and on both facing corners across the street

“Many diseases that we are talking about disproportionally effect people in red states, many of whom are Donald Trump’s voters,” Warnock told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution after the rally. “I think now is a testing moment. The people of our state count on us in the halls of power, and they are counting on us to stand up for their children, and I will work with Republicans and Democrats and with anyone else who will listen.”

Warnock was joined by U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson in spotlighting the massive cuts to the CDC and the impact it might have on health in the United States and abroad. Georgia’s other Democratic senator, Jon Ossoff, did not attend.

Former Gwinnett County Board of Education member Everton Blair announced he will challenge U.S. Rep. David Scott (D-Metro Atlanta) in the 2026 Democratic primary, according to the AJC.

Frustrated with what he calls a lack of urgency in Washington, the former chair of Georgia’s largest school district jumped into the race Wednesday to unseat U.S. Rep. David Scott — mounting a generational challenge against one of the state’s longest-serving Democrats.

Everton Blair, the first Black and openly gay member of Gwinnett County’s board of education, said he would be more “visible and accessible” to the east metro Atlanta district.

“I am running for Congress because it is time for the next generation to step up and correct the direction that this country is headed,” Blair, 32, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

He joins a growing number of Democrats demanding a more confrontational response to President Donald Trump’s return to power — and becomes the second prominent Democrat to challenge Scott, a 12-term incumbent who is under mounting pressure to step aside.

State Sen. Emanuel Jones of Decatur, a 20-year veteran of the Legislature, launched his bid for the seat in January, saying Democrats need a “louder voice” in Washington to push back against MAGA policies.

Scott’s aides say he intends to seek a 13th term, and ousting him won’t be easy.

The Glynn County Board of Education announced three finalists to fill a vacancy representing District 5, according to The Brunswick News.

The Glynn County School Board announced three finalists in the search for someone to replace elected District 5 board member Audrey Gibbons, who was suspended by Gov. Brian Kemp due to pending criminal charges.

Glynn County School Board Chairman Hank Yeargan said the finalists are Brad Brown, Reggie Jackson and Marianne Stonefield.

The Colquitt County Board of Elections held their first meeting, according to the Moultrie Observer.

The newly formed Colquitt County Board of Elections discussed precincts and bylaws at its April 8 meeting.

In September, the Colquitt County Commission adopted an ordinance to create a board of elections and registration for the county. Then, in November, the commissioners appointed three people to the board plus one alternate. The board of elections and registration became active on January 1.

After some consideration, the commission decided to change the number of board members to five after two of the original four dropped out. The board now consists of Ronald Jordan, chairman; Tonita Scott, vice-chair; Lisa Perry, secretary; Elizabeth Strickland and Paula McCullough.

Also in attendance at the Tuesday evening meeting were Probate Judge Wes Lewis, who was formerly in charge of election proceedings, and Faith Thomas, the new supervisor of elections.

The board expressed interest in the voting precinct locations and assessing them. They wanted to make sure that all of them still met state requirements.

Thomas said that Colquitt County IT Director Darren Roberson, who sets up the voting machines each election along with Steve Saunders, could set up some dates and times for the board members to visit each precinct location.

Long County held a meeting to discuss financial issues, according to WSAV.

Long County officials invited the public to learn more about recent budget cuts as they navigate millions in debt and fallout form a large-scale theft investigation by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).

The official tally for Long County’s outstanding debt is now at $1.8 million.

“We had to reduce positions, and we have to do other cost cutting measures,” newly appointed Long County Manager Chuck Scragg, said.

When asked about whether the county would have to cut more positions, he said, “The fact is we don’t know. We’re going to reassess at probably our next May 6 monthly meeting to see whether or not we have to recommend that. It’s terrible.”

After concerns about making payroll for remaining county employees, Scragg said they have enough for this cycle. However, to make sure the county will be able to keep up with the next few cycles, he said they’ll have to make some tough decisions.

“We’re doing as much as we can to look forward and say will we be able to cut taxes or will they have to stay the same,” Scragg said.

Tuesday’s meeting comes just weeks after the arrest of Long County Commissioner Robert Parker, who was investigated by the GBI for theft of government money. Parker has since been released on bond along with Tony “Pee Wee” Edward Fowler owner of Fowler Services.

One of the proposed items for the May 6 agenda involves petitioning Governor Brian Kemp to remove Parker from his position officially, who despite missing several Commissioner meetings, has yet to step down.

Some Dougherty County residents are pressing for more water safety education amid federal cuts, according to WALB.

Leaders apart of the Georgia Alliance of YMCA’s recently wrote a letter to more than a dozen lawmakers— urging them to continue to support the CDC’s drowning prevention work.

This all comes after Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy announced that 2,400 jobs are expected to be cut from the agency. With these cuts, YMCA leaders say thousands of children are at risk of drowning.

“The potential is that our YMCA’s will not have the resources available to do so effectively. Thereby making a significant impact in reducing a national trend— drowning,” said Dan Gillan, president and CEO of Dougherty County YMCA.

Drowning research from the CDC’s Injury Center shows— rates have been increasing yearly nationwide. In fact, in 2023, Georgia saw the most unintentional drownings across all ages since 2001. With at least 39 drownings reported across the state.

“What do you think needs to be done to get that number down?”

“Not only water safety but giving them the life skill of knowing how to swim,” said Gillan.

Fifteen presidents and chief executive officers in the Georgia Alliance of YMCAs from North to South Georgia— signed this letter. Hoping Georgia lawmakers will continue to support efforts they say benefit hundreds of communities across the state.

The City of Clarkesville closed on the purchase of the old Habersham County Courthouse, according to AccessWDUN.

The deal took place at Traditions Bank in Clarkesville with Clarkesville Mayor Barrie Aycock, Clarkesville City Manager Keith Dickerson, Habersham County Commissioner Bruce Harkness, Clarkesville City Clerk Julie Poole, Interim County Manager Tim Sims, and Senior Vice President of Traditions Bank Sidney Roland all in attendance for the closing.

The closing comes over six months after a deal for Atlanta-based Parkside Partners LLC to buy the property fell through.

Now, the property is in the City of Clarkesville’s hands.

The deal also comes after an announcement that delays will be present in downtown Clarkesville from April 14 to June 27 due to the demolition of the former courthouse.

The Franklin Springs Police Department announced higher security for an upcoming City Council meeting, according to AccessWDUN.

The Franklin Springs Police Department posted to social media Monday afternoon, saying “threatening posts” online led to the decision.

“The Franklin Springs City Council meeting scheduled for April 15 is now being treated as an elevated security event,” the police department post said. “Additional measures are being put in place that will alter building entry points, traffic flow, parking, and more.”

The police department posted screenshots of multiple Facebook posts that made allusions to “mob” activity at the Tuesday meeting.

Increasing numbers of residents have been speaking out during recent Franklin Springs City Council meetings, as well as the Franklin County Board of Commissioners meetings, amid concerns over an intergovernmental agreement to authorize a new wastewater treatment facility, as well as rumors of a proposed poultry rendering plant.