Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections for August 27, 2025

Advertising in the rights of way of state roads and placing signs on private property without the owner’s approval were prohibited in the first Georgia law regulating outdoor advertising, which was signed by Governor Richard Russell on August 27, 1931. Over the years, both practices would become enshrined in Peach State political strategy.

Former Georgia Governor Lester Maddox was nominated for President on the American Independent Party ticket on August 27, 1976, making the race probably the only one to ever feature two former Georgia governors. During the campaign, Maddox described Jimmy Carter as “the most dishonest man I ever met.”

On August 27, 1982, Oakland Athletics outfielder Rickey Henderson broke the record for stolen bases in a season, nabbing number 119 against the Milwaukee Brewers and breaking the record held by Lou Brock.

Georgia Governor Zell Miller addressed the Democratic National Convention on August 27, 1996. In 2004, Miller would address the Republican National Convention, likely becoming the first Georgian to address both major parties’ national conventions. Congressman John Lewis and Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney also addressed the ’96 DNC. That day, President Bill Clinton signed a Welfare Reform bill, called the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996.

On August 27, 2008, Barack Obama became the Presidential nominee of the Democratic Party, the first African-American nominee of a major United States political party.

Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections

The Georgia House Public and Community Health Committee Monday heard of the struggle by a Georgia woman who had ALS, also known as “Lou Gehrig’s Disease. From Georgia Recorder:

For Jennifer Bullard, the decision to seek a physician-assisted death was not an act of wanting to die but of taking control over how and when she died, said Bullard’s sister, Jamie McNeil.

Speaking to the Georgia House Public and Community Health Committee Monday, McNeil, shared how her sister’s ALS diagnosis progressively paralyzed her muscles, leading to “excruciating” and “brutal” suffering and that despite Bullard’s courage and her family’s round-the-clock care, could not be fully alleviated by conventional medical care. Bullard, McNeil said, was terrified of locked-in syndrome, a state of total paralysis while the mind remains conscious and alert.

“Unable to communicate, unable to speak, unable to move at all — to me, that is the very definition of torture, and my sister didn’t deserve to be tortured,” McNeil said. “Jennifer adamantly did not want to die, but she even more adamantly did not want to go through the locked-in syndrome.”

McNeil said that the medical aid in dying (MAID) option gave her sister a sense of dignity and peace, allowing her to coordinate a “beautiful passing” that included a final, intimate farewell with family and friends. After receiving the medication, McNeil said she held her sister, who peacefully passed away within minutes.

“The most harm that you could have done Jennifer would be to have made her live out this disease in that torture,” McNeil said.

Bullard underwent the procedure in California, where it is legal, unlike in Georgia.

Committee chair Rep. Sharon Cooper, a Marietta Republican, said the purpose for the committee hearing was to learn about MAID. There has not been a bill filed in previous sessions, and it’s unclear if legislation related to MAID will be considered yet in the next session.

Dr. Adrienne Mims, a geriatrician and vice chair of the Georgia Council on Aging, described MAID as a medical choice for a terminally ill, mentally capable adult to obtain and self-administer a prescription to die peacefully. She clarified it is distinct from suicide, which she noted is a separate public health issue. Mims presented data from Oregon, where MAID has been legal since 1997, showing that thousands of prescriptions have been written and a majority were used.

“It is a choice. Sometimes people feel it’s empowering to be able to have that as an option,” Mims said.

Palliative care is focused on improving a patient’s quality of life at any stage of a serious illness, while hospice is for those with a prognosis of six months or less.

Anthony Davis, a social worker in palliative care, said that a patient’s request for MAID could stem from a lack of resources rather than a true desire to die. He said that as a social worker, he is in favor of autonomy in end-of-life care, but he said that there must be “resources in place,” such as proper mental health counseling, before MAID is an option.

“Once you assess further, you find it’s not death that they’re wanting, it’s the lack of resources,” Davis said. “It’s the fact that they don’t have the things needed, whether it be transportation, whether it be food, whether it be caregiver support, sometimes it’s that they don’t even have support from their family.”

Rep. Scott Hilton, a Republican from Peachtree Corners, expressed moral discomfort about family members’ ability to “push” such an option and fear of a “perverse incentive” where insurance companies might promote MAID as a cheaper alternative to costly long-term care.

“How do we prohibit financial incentives from coming into play here, either from the family who is maybe seeking benefit from that person passing, or, for example, insurance companies who may begin to push this as a cheaper option as opposed to prolonging life?” he asked.

Rep. Dexter Sharper, a Valdosta Democrat who has worked as a paramedic for more than two decades, said that he’d much rather this be an option than hearing that a family member died by suicide because they had no other option.

“I remember all the suicides that I’ve been to as a paramedic over the last 30 years. Every last one of them, I don’t suffer with anything from it, thank God, but I remember where I was and where they did it to themselves. So those are things that you guys just have to keep in mind, there are going to be other issues that happen,” Sharper said.

This story hits home for me harder than just about anything I’ve read. The first Mrs. GaPundit died from the same disease on April 2, 2018, the Monday after Easter Sunday and the Georgia legislature’s Sine Die on Friday. My late wife spent that weekend essentially “locked in,” unable to communicate or move.

My personal thanks to State Rep. Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta), who Chairs the House Public and Community Health Committee for undertaking to provide a balanced hearing on a difficult and emotional topic. I also thank the members of the Committee, especially State Rep. Scott Hilton (R-Peachtree Corners), who raised an important issue. Our state could use more nuanced conversations about difficult and personal issues without grandstanding or soundbites. I appreciate the input of State Rep. Dexter Sharper (D-Valdosta) and the difficulties he must have faced as a First Responder.

Police Blotter: The Georgia Bureau of Investigations says they’re investigating Telfair County Chief Magistrate Bryan Selph, according to 13WMAZ.

The GBI says they are looking into alleged “improper conduct” by Bryan Selph, the Chief Magistrate Judge of Telfair County. They also said they are investigating the actions of “other public officials within the City of McRae Helena and Telfair County.”

They haven’t listed specific complaints regarding Selph’s conduct, and they have not listed any other officials who are currently being investigated.

The GBI says after the investigation, which began in June, they will send their findings to Oconee District Attorney Tim Vaughn for review, and potential prosecution.

13WMAZ reached out to Selph for comment, though he has not responded at the time of this writing.

The GBI’s office of special investigations is currently working on this case. This is an ongoing story. 13WMAZ will continue to follow this case as new updates and information become available.

Police Blotter: Buchanan Mayor Anthony James (A.J.) Scott is being retried on charges stemming from a car wreck, according to Atlanta News First via WALB.

The jury in the retrial of a former state trooper facing charges of vehicular homicide has started deliberations.

Anthony James (A.J.) Scott, now the mayor of Buchanan, Georgia, is facing two counts of second-degree homicide by vehicle, two counts of serious injury by vehicle, speeding, reckless driving, and violation of oath by a public officer.

Scott is accused of causing a crash that killed two teenage girls in 2015 while he was a Georgia state trooper.

According to prosecutors, Scott was driving around 90 mph in a 55-mph zone without his lights or sirens activated when the crash happened. They also say he was not heading to an emergency call.

Kylie Lindsey, 17, and Isabella Chinchilla, 16, died from their injuries in the crash. The girls were in the backseat of a Nissan Altima. Two male teenagers – Dillon Wall and Ben Finken – were in the front and were injured.

During closing arguments Tuesday, the defense told jurors the driver of the Altima, Wall, pulled out into oncoming traffic and may have been drinking that night.

Prosecutors pushed back, saying this case is about speeding, not alcohol.

Scott was fired from the state patrol after the accident.

Scott himself took the stand on Monday, telling the jury that on the night of the crash he was driving toward Bremen to pick up his body-worn radio from another officer who had offered to charge the device’s dead battery.

Prosecutors asked Scott if he saw the speed limit signs posted on Highway 27 signaling drivers should slow from 55 mph to 45 mph when approaching a hill.

“No,” he said, acknowledging he was not headed to an emergency call and did not have his emergency lights and sirens activated.

Several people have testified during the retrial, including a paramedic who responded to the crash and an accident reconstruction expert who testified Scott would’ve had time to slow down and avoid hitting the car if he’d been driving the speed limit.

The defense argued the teens had been drinking, contributing to the crash. During the trial jurors saw photos of broken beer bottles found at the scene. Prosecutors said there was no real evidence to prove the driver, Wall, was under the influence.

Defense attorneys have also asked Judge Erica Tisinger for a directed verdict, a ruling from the judge that takes a case away from the jury and enters judgment for one party, which Tisinger has twice rejected.

Scott was originally tried in 2019, but a judge declared a mistrial because the district attorney’s office allegedly withheld evidence.

If convicted, Scott could face up to 30 years in prison.

Chatham County Probate Judge Tom Bordeaux faces charges from the Georgia Judicial Qualifications Commission, according to WSAV.

The Chatham County probate judge is in front of the Judicial Qualification Commission (JQC) facing charges connected to not handling a dozen or more cases in a timely manner.

He was facing questions connected to 10 formal charges filed in October of 2024 by the JQC including willful misconduct in office and failure to perform duties.

The 10-count document from JQC Director Courtney Veal and Deputy Director Ashton Murphy alleged that Bordeaux violated at least two Code of Judicial Conduct rules.

The Code of Judicial Conduct requires judges to “perform judicial and administrative duties competently, diligently, and without bias or prejudice.” Judges are also required to “dispose of all judicial matters fairly, promptly, and efficiently.”

Bordeaux once again admitted that he made mistakes and “dropped the ball” in some cases. But placed the blame on a lack of staff and insufficient funding for his office and said he is putting everything he can into the position.

“I’m tired of working long hours. I can’t keep working the hours. I won’t keep working the hours.” Bordeaux said. “Maybe you all will decide i shouldn’t work any. One way to fix that is to depend more on competent lawyers in cases where I can. And I’m thrilled to do that.”

The JQC also asked the judge why he took the probate judge job in the first place. He said he thought it would be easy, almost a part-time job, but quickly learned that was not the case.

He said Probate Court was almost a tougher job than other courts because of the caseload.

He added that the Chatham County Probate Court is in a better place than it was when he got into office.

The claim is that Bordeaux did not handle a dozen or more cases in a timely manner, cases that took years to come to a conclusion and some that still are outstanding because of Bordeaux’ inaction.

When asked what he would do as a punishment for his alleged inaction, Bordeaux was defiant and said he should not be forced from office.

“If I need to be beaten. I’ve been beaten enough already flogged. I need to be reprimanded. Then you won’t embarrass me any more than I’ve already been embarrassed by what I brought myself here. So, I don’t know what your range of options are, but I don’t want to be removed. I don’t think I deserve to be removed.”

Bordeaux did say he would take help from former Savannah City Manager Pat Monahan as well as another former judge offering to aid him in knocking down the caseload.

Considering the investigations and charges, Bordeaux was asked if he was glad that he took the job in the first place.

“I don’t know what I would do with myself if I didn’t have this,” the judge said. “I don’t have any hobbies other than getting away and going hiking for a weekend. And my wife works all the time, too. And our children are gone. So, I had a total misapprehension and I’m glad I did.”

Bordeaux also said because of his age, 71, and his other interests, he would not commit to running for another term in 2028,

The case should conclude Wednesday.

Voters in the twenty-first State Senate district sent two candidates – a Democrat and a Republican – to a runoff election, according to the AJC.

Debra Shigley, an Alpharetta resident and former attorney, was the top finisher in a special election to replace state Sen. Brandon Beach, whom Trump tapped earlier this year to serve as U.S. treasurer. Shigley, the lone Democrat in the race, finished with 39.5% of the vote, benefiting from Republican votes splitting among six GOP candidates.

“We’re very excited and encouraged,” she said.

Unofficial vote totals posted late Tuesday suggested Shigley would compete against Republican Jason Dickerson, who received 17.4% of the vote, in the runoff election Sept. 23. But the race for second place was startlingly close, with Dickerson edging out fellow Republican Steve West by just 65 votes. West could call for a recount.

Dickerson is a Canton native who is making his first run for office. He is the president of a private investment company. He did not respond to requests from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Tuesday.

The district has favored Republicans. Beach, a Republican from Alpharetta, won reelection last year with 70% of the vote.

Democrats have made gains in Cherokee County in recent elections, but only about 30% of voters supported former Vice President Kamala Harris in 2024. Senate District 21, which represents about 214,000 voters, covers the northern part of the county.

Shigley got more votes in the Fulton County portion of the district, which covers parts of Milton and Alpharetta.

Turnout was low for the off-year special election, with 21,433 votes cast, representing about 13.2% of the voters registered in the district.

Georgia U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff and U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath, both Democrats, endorsed Shigley, and state Sen. Jason Esteves, a Democratic candidate for governor, appeared with her at a campaign event. Shigley said she and her team knocked on more than 30,000 doors over three months while campaigning.

If his second-place finish holds, Dickerson will look to consolidate the Republican vote for the runoff election.

Dickerson has said he would focus on reducing taxes, saying residents need relief from rising property taxes in particular.

Speaking of low turnout, the November Special Elections for Public Service Commission may have low turnout, according to The Brunswick News.

[Republican Public Service Commissioner Tim] Echols, who is running for reelection, expressed concerns about the upcoming election for two PSC seats in November.

He pointed out the dismal turnout for the PSC primary election, where on 756 Republicans turnout out to vote in Glynn County. Statewide, around 63,000 people voted in the primary.

Echols said there are 220 city elections scheduled on Nov. 4, and that could have a major impact on the elections.

“One of those cities is Atlanta,” he said. “How many Democrats will show up for that one? On Nov. 4, we’ve got our work cut our for us.”

Echols expressed concerns if his Democratic Party opponent Alicia Johnson wins the election. Democrats outnumbered Republicans by a two to one margin in the primary.

He said Johnson wants to lower bills for low-income state residents, even if it affects the reliability of the state’s power grid, “no matter what.”

“The Democrats will shut down coal plants in Georgia if they win,” he said. “In Georgia, we haven’t demonized anything.”

State Sen. Mike Hodges, R-Brunswick, said some Republicans may not feel they have a reason to show up to vote because the only partisan election is the two PSC seats, currently held by Republicans.

He urged the audience to vote and encourage their friends to show up to the polls.

Atlanta News First looks at the ongoing renovation of the Georgia State Capitol, via WALB.

The Georgia State Capitol, one of the few working capitols in the U.S. that still houses all top state offices, is in the middle of a nearly $400 million renovation aimed at preserving its history while preparing it for the future.

The 141-year-old building is undergoing structural repairs, fire safety upgrades, and new HVAC systems. Crews are also restoring historic details that reflect the building’s legacy.

“In the House chambers, you can still see remnants of the original rug and exposed floorboards from the 1880s,” said Gerald Pilgrim with the Georgia Building Authority. “This is one of the oldest working Capitols in the country. The governor’s office, the speaker, the lieutenant governor — all still here. When people step onto these grounds, we want them to feel pride in Georgia.”

That pride extends to craftsmanship from across the state. Columns are being regilded with gold leaf, ceilings replastered, and carpets woven in Dalton, installed in both chambers.

One of the centerpiece projects is restoring the Capitol’s original two-story library, which was converted into office space in the 1950s. The library will reopen as part of the Capitol museum. Visitors can access the library via a new skybridge, where they can view artisans at work.

Brandon Ralston, who recently toured the building with his family, said the experience connected them with Georgia’s heritage. “It’s like getting a taste of Georgia’s history,” he said.

The renovation is scheduled to be completed by 2027, restoring the Capitol’s heritage while ensuring the Gold Dome remains one of Georgia’s most recognizable symbols for generations to come.

Governor Brian Kemp announced two appointments from Sao Paulo, according to a Press Release.

SÃO PAULO – Governor Brian P. Kemp today announced his appointment of Oscar “Bo” Fears as the new Commissioner of Banking and Finance and Dr. Fran Dundore as Director of the Governor’s Office of Student Achievement (GOSA), both effective September 1. Fears will succeed Commissioner Hagler, who dedicated multiple decades of his accomplished career to the people of our state and will retire at the end of the month as the second longest-serving commissioner in the department’s history. Dundore will succeed Ian Caraway, who will return to the Governor’s Office as Director of Policy and External Affairs following his impactful time as Interim Director of GOSA.

“Marty, the girls, and I want to thank Bo for his years of dedicated service to the state as he steps into this new leadership role,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “We’re excited for his contributions to the department and are also incredibly thankful for the decades of valued service given by Kevin Hagler. As he prepares to enjoy a well-earned retirement, we wish him and his family continued happiness.”

“The Kemp family is also grateful that Fran will continue to benefit the students, teachers, and families of Georgia by taking on her new role, the governor continued. “Her decades of experience in both the classroom and public service make her uniquely qualified to succeed in this role and ensure our state is empowering our next generation with the greatest gift we can give them: a strong educational foundation.”

“Last, but certainly not least, I want to thank Ian for his years of hard work and dedication as an important member of Team Kemp. His brief time at GOSA has already made that office stronger, and Marty and I are thankful that his breadth of knowledge on education and workforce matters will continue to benefit my office and the entire state.”

Oscar “Bo” Fears III currently serves as the Senior Deputy Commissioner of the Department of Banking and Finance and is responsible for the general administration and oversight of the department; the development of policies and procedures; and oversight of information technology, security, and project management. Fears first joined the agency in 2013 as the Deputy Commissioner for Legal Affairs, providing legal advice and support of the department’s operations.

Prior to joining the department, he worked at the Georgia Attorney General’s office for 16 years. Among various roles during his tenure, he also served as group leader for the Business and Finance Section of the Commercial Transactions and Litigation Division. Fears earned a B.A. in history from Emory University and a J.D. from the University of Texas School of Law.

Fran Dundore has been a member of the GOSA team since coming on board as the Director of School Services in 2022. In this capacity, she has overseen the annual Governor’s Honors Program which provides students with academic, cultural, and social enrichment to become the next generation of global critical thinkers, innovators, and leaders.

Dundore began her career as a high school English teacher in Stephens County and has spent the last 28 years serving public school students across the state as a principal, district curriculum leader, and assistant superintendent. Her work has focused on cultivating relationships and providing strategic support between schools and communities to advance academic opportunities for all students and to ensure that literacy is a shared priority. She holds a degree in English from Piedmont University and degrees in leadership from the University of North Georgia and Georgia Southern University. She currently resides in Athens with her husband, Walt.

Fulton County Commissioners will be in court today in a lawsuit by Republicans seeking to force the Commission to appoint the GOP nominees to Fulton County Board of Elections, according to the AJC.

Fulton County commissioners are in court Wednesday facing a possible contempt citation after they defied a judge’s order requiring them to appoint two Republican nominees to the county Election Board.

Commissioners failed to approve two election critics nominated by the Fulton County Republican Party in a 2-2, party line vote last week. Three Democrats on the seven-person commission were absent at the time of the vote.

Senior Superior Court Judge David Emerson scheduled a Wednesday emergency hearing after the county Republican Party asked him to hold all five Democratic commissioners in contempt, with jail time and daily fines.

Ahead of the hearing, Emerson requested the commission provide him with agendas and minutes for any meetings held since his mid-August order requiring the board to appoint the two GOP nominees at their next gathering.

The legal dispute began in June after the Fulton GOP filed a lawsuit to compel commissioners to accept the nominations of Julie Adams and Jason Frazier after the Democratic-controlled commission rejected them in a 5-2 vote in May, questioning their qualifications for the board.

Emerson ruled in early August that state law requires the commission to approve the GOP nominations. The commission appealed the lawsuit, but their request to temporarily pause Emerson’s order was denied by the Georgia Court of Appeals.

Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones (R-Jackson) kicked off his campaign for Governor, according to the AJC.

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones formally launched his campaign for governor Tuesday, casting himself as Donald Trump’s MAGA-backed favorite and the Republican best positioned to win in 2026.

He outlined that tricky political two-step in a Tuesday speech near his Middle Georgia home, leaning heavily on the president’s blessing while positioning himself as the GOP front-runner who could attract independent voters.

“This next election isn’t about the next four years. This next election is about the next decade and the direction of our state.”

His remarks at an upscale venue hall on his home turf showcased other campaign strengths: his ability to tap a vast personal fortune, a deep well of support from dozens of elected officials who attended, and his access to star power. He announced that country music star Jason Aldean, a longtime friend who helped his 2022 bid, will headline an October rally for him.

It was a preview of the strategy ahead — trying to lock down the GOP base while appealing to middle-of-the-road voters who could decide the November 2026 vote in a contest that’s already taken unexpected twists.

From the Capitol Beat News Service:

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones held his first gubernatorial campaign event Tuesday at a state park south of Atlanta, touting his endorsement by President Donald Trump, his record in the Senate of promoting conservative legislation and his background as a businessman.

The evening event at Indian Springs State Park in Butts County featured several Republican state senators, and a former senator — Brandon Beach. Trump plucked him from Georgia earlier this year and made him U.S. Treasurer.

Beach made it abundantly clear that Trump had endorsed Jones, whom he described as a job creator.

Jones “loves Georgia, he loves his family, he loves and respects law enforcement, but what he really loves is capitalism,” Beach said, which elicited whoops and cheering. “He wants you, your kids and your grandkids to pursue the American dream.”

Jones, who lives in Jackson with his wife Jan and their two teenaged children, said state government would have a business-oriented “Chick-fil-A type” service mentality under his leadership.

He said he started businesses inside his family’s Jones Petroleum company after college, before entering politics. He used that background to knock his competition, saying he was the only candidate who had risked money to make money and who had signed employee paychecks.

“They have all been at the government trough their entire careers,” he said.

Jones is campaigning for the GOP nomination against Chris Carr, the state attorney general, who is running on a tough-on-crime agenda.

Carr has aligned himself with Trump’s MAGA base and with traditional GOP orthodoxy, threatening the administration of then-President Joe Biden against any COVID vaccine mandate, joining other attorneys general from Republican-led states in challenging a Biden administration rule governing coal and gas plant emissions and siding with Republican Gov. Brian Kemp in a State Election Board dispute between Republicans and Democrats.

But Jones holds an ace card with the recent Trump endorsement, which seemed likely given Jones’ persistent support of the president and his assertions about election fraud. Jones was investigated for a possible criminal violation after he joined Beach and others as “alternate electors” after Trump’s 2020 loss, but a special investigator exonerated Jones.

Jones is also pursuing a traditional Republican line in vowing to eliminate Georgia’s income tax. He created a study committee that featured testimony this month from longtime GOP anti-tax advocate Grover Norquist.

Whoever wins the Republican primary next year will go on to face the Democratic nominee in the November election.

Fromer Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms is running on a record of managing the city during the pandemic and is pitching Medicaid expansion. State Sen. Jason Esteves of Atlanta, a former Atlanta school board member, has made education, health care and housing top priorities. And former Georgia Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond, the only Democrat in the race who has won statewide, is campaigning on his relationships with lawmakers from both parties as a former state representative, saying he also wants to expand Medicaid.

The Georgia Democratic Party issued a statement ahead of the event accusing Jones’ leadership of putting rural hospitals in financial jeopardy due to high insurance rates and a tax code “that rewards billionaires, big corporations, and whoever the latest lobbyist was to buy somebody a steak and a bourbon. … In Burt Jones’ Georgia, it’s Donald Trump and his billionaire friends first, Georgia families last.”

Jones countered at his event that bureaucratic rules make it difficult to open new hospitals, and he said he has worked against those rules as lieutenant governor.

Successful election campaigns cost money, and the Republicans came out of the gate with a major lead. Carr and Jones raised about $3 million apiece — three times what Bottoms and Esteves each raised as of the last reporting period in early July. (Thurmond had not entered the race yet.)

But Jones has a tremendous legal advantage that allows him to pull in unlimited funds, and he loaned himself another $10 million. Carr has made an issue of Jones’ use of his “leadership committee,” a special entity enjoyed by a handful of incumbents and primary winners under a 2021 state law.

As attorney general, Carr does not get a leadership committee, though he would if he were to win the Republican nomination. He recently sued Jones in federal court over the committee after losing a similar complaint to the State Ethics Commission.

State Rep. Tanya F. Miller (D-Atlanta) announced she is running for Attorney General, according to the Capitol Beat News Service via the Savannah Morning News.

The list of candidates who want to be Georgia’s next attorney general keeps growing, with another Democrat entering the race.

State Rep. Tanya F. Miller of Atlanta announced her candidacy outside the Gold Dome Monday.

The former chief senior district attorney in Fulton County, now in private practice, said she will focus her campaign on crimes of exploitation, such as predatory lending and human trafficking.

“For too long, this office has prioritized Washington, D.C., politics over the wellbeing of Georgia’s 159 counties. As your attorney general, my priority will be putting you and your family first,” Miller said.

She is among a growing field of candidates vying for an open seat currently held by Republican Chris Carr, who is running for governor.

Miller’s speech targeted Carr and President Donald Trump more than her competitors — two Republican lawmakers and a former Democratic lawmaker.

Last month, former House Minority Leader Bob Trammell became the first Democrat to announce his candidacy. Miller must face him in next year’s primary election. If she wins, she will be up against a Republican in the general election.

Sen. Bill Cowsert, R-Athens, a lawyer who chairs the state Senate’s Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee, was the first to enter the race. He was followed by Sen. Brian Strickland, R-McDonough, a lawyer who chairs the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Cowsert had reported raising the most money as of the last campaign finance reporting deadline in early July, collecting $531,000 against Strickland’s $435,000. Both Miller and Trammell have registered their intent to raise money but neither has filed a contribution report yet.

Cowsert chairs a committee that has been investigating Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis. The state Senate granted his committee authority to expand the scope to include groups founded by former gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams.

Cowsert also sponsored legislation to give his committee subpoena powers. It passed the Senate and the House of Representatives after bitter partisan debate, with one leading Democrat labeling it “authoritarianism.” Gov. Brian Kemp then signed it into law.

Strickland was the chief co-sponsor of legislation that sought tax credits for parents of young children, but the legislation did not pass. Lawmakers instead approved a general tax credit of between $250 and $500, which Kemp also signed.

Trammell grew up in Luthersville in Meriwether County and served as county attorney there. He was also the top Democrat in the state House, as minority leader from 2017 until 2021.

Miller was sworn in to the state House in 2023 and was elected chair of the House Democratic Caucus last year. She said she has taken on child abusers, rapists, murders, insurance companies and “greedy” corporations and “slumlords.”

“I will be guided by law, not politics, by principle, not polls, and by the people, not the powerful few,” she said.

From the AJC:

“The people of Georgia need an attorney general who will stand up and fight for them no matter what part of this great state they call home, no matter their politics, no matter their personal beliefs, no matter what,” she said.

Miller, who chairs the House Democratic caucus, was a prominent voice opposing Gov. Brian Kemp’s civil litigation legislation that narrowly passed the Legislature earlier this year and has been a frequent legal expert on network television.

A former prosecutor now in private practice, Miller said she understands the justice system from both sides and wants to bring accountability to corporations, predators and political insiders.

In a 2023 opinion column in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, Miller defended the work of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, who was investigating President Donald Trump for election interference in 2020 but faced resistance from Republicans.

“No one is above the law — not even a former president,” Miller wrote.

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Derek Dooley spoke to Atlanta News First.

Derek Dooley is an unconventional candidate with a well-known name in Georgia.

A longtime collegiate and NFL football coach, and the son of legendary University of Georgia football coach Vince Dooley, he’s hoping name recognition and a fresh take on Georgia’s political issues will get him elected to the U.S. Senate.

Dooley is challenging Georgia’s current U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff, a Democrat, for his seat in 2026. He’s joined in the race by Republican Congressmen Mike Collins of Georgia’s 10th district and Buddy Carter of the state’s 1st district.

Dooley has slated himself as a political outsider, something he says will work to his advantage. He also has something none of his fellow candidates have – the support of Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp. Dooley and Kemp have been friends for decades — Kemp even roomed with Dooley’s brother at UGA — and Dooley is counting on the governor’s support during the election cycle. Kemp decided to forgo an attempt to unseat Ossoff.

“When Gov. Kemp decided he wasn’t going to run, I saw a great lane for me and began a dialogue with him,” said Dooley. “And while I’m grateful for all the support and education he has given me in this process, that’s not going to win me anything. The most important support I can get is rolling up my sleeves and earning it from the people of Georgia, and that’s what I intend to do.”

Dooley, who received his undergraduate degree from the University of Virginia in 1990 and a law degree from the University of Georgia in 1994, did a brief stint in law before switching to full-time coaching.

He’s been a head coach, assistant coach and analyst for multiple college and NFL teams throughout his career, most notably spending three seasons as the head coach at the University of Tennessee in the hallowed Southeastern Conference.

Dooley, who was let go from his head coaching duties in 2012 after a three-year, 15-21 record, has already been the subject of attacks from both Democrats and even his Republican challengers.

“Everything’s fair game I guess in politics,” he said. “You look at my career, I was really part of some great teams. I mean, national champions, SEC champions, NFC division titles. But I was also on some teams that got their teeth kicked in. We had some tough years. What people don’t see is what you learn during those experiences. I mean, you learn so much about staying together, keeping a positive attitude, keep fighting for your team.”

Dooley said he’s hoping to get the endorsement of President Donald Trump, who he’s already met with at the White House.

Watch the entire interview with Senate candidate Derek Dooley on Sunday, Aug. 31 on the newest episode of On The Record.

Candidates qualified for municipal office in Chatham County, according to the Savannah Morning News.

Election season for Chatham County has rolled around again, with several municipalities facing open seats. The election will be held on Nov. 4, between the hours of 7 a.m. and 7 p.m. Here are the candidates who qualified during the qualification period, Tuesday Aug. 19 through Aug. 21.

The three [Tybee Island] council seats up for grabs are those currently held by Councilmembers Bill Garbett, Michael “Spec” Hosti and Mayor Pro Tem Monty Parks.

Parks is not running for reelection. Tybee City Council does not have districts and the elections are decided by plurality. That means the winners of the election are decided by those who receive the highest number of votes.

All seats on Thunderbolt Town Council are up for grabs this year, including mayor.

Dana Williams, who has been the mayor [of Thunderbolt] since 2022 and was an alderman from 2018 to 2022, is running for re-election.

Beth Goette is also throwing her hat into the ring to run for re-election as mayor. Goette was mayor of Thunderbolt for eight years prior to Williams winning in 2021, and served as a councilmember for 12 years before that.

The City of Port Wentworth also has three seats up for grabs this year, including mayor. All the incumbents of these seats are running for re-election, and will be facing both long-time residents and newcomers.

Candidates qualified for local seats in Brunswick, according to The Brunswick News.

Candidate qualifying for the November municipal elections closed on Friday with two candidates for Brunswick mayor and one each for North and South ward city commission seats.

One more candidate tried to qualify for the North Ward race but was rejected by the Glynn County Board of Elections.

Perry Mayor Randall Walker will meet challenger Chris Smith in November, according to 13WMAZ.

Walker is seeking re-election to complete ongoing projects.

“The council members here and the mayor committed to a very robust strategic planning process about 10 years ago. And so we have continually stayed faithful to that strategic plan,” Walker said.

Smith hopes to bring a fresh perspective as someone new to politics.

“My views kind of match what a lot of people have been expressing in regards to their concerns, so I’m gonna give it a shot and see if I can enact the way I feel about Perry on the decisions that are being made in City Hall,” Smith said.

Walker brings 16 years of experience as a councilman and mayor, while Smith says his strength lies in being an everyday citizen facing the same issues as voters.

Tift county municipal candidate qualifying closed last week, according to the Tifton Gazette.

The Tift County elections office announced the closing of qualifications Aug. 22, finalizing the local races that will be on the ballot Nov. 4 and the candidates that would be competing for positions in their local governments.

Seats on the city councils of Tifton, Omega, and Ty Ty will be up for election this year, as well as the position of mayor of Ty Ty, but as of the end of the qualification period, only Omega’s seats will see an actual race.

The current incumbents for District 1 and 3 councilman on the Tifton City Council, Ty Ty mayor, and Post #2, 3 and 4 City Council member for Ty Ty will run unopposed. While Christopher Ponder will run unopposed for Post #1 of the Omega City Council, Posts #2, 3, and 4 currently have two candidates competing for the seat each.

Incumbent Cecille Gilliard will be running for reelection against Rene Christian Martinez for Post #2, Rodney D. Glaze and Ryan Voris will be vying for Post #3, and Gwendolyn C. Robinson will be facing off against Charles White, also an incumbent, for the position of Post #4. Election Day will be Nov 4.

Early voting will begin Oct 14 and will go on Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. until Oct 31, with options to vote on Saturday Oct 18 and Oct 25 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Absentee ballots may also be requested from the Tift County elections office by contacting (229) 386-7915 or shekia.holly@tiftcounty.org.

The Moultrie-Colquitt County Chamber of Commerce hosted their annual Annual Eggs & Issues breakfast, according to the Moultrie Observer.

The Floating Local Option Sales Tax (FLOST) and taxes, in general, were the topics the Government Panel discussed at the Moultrie-Colquitt County Chamber of Commerce Annual Eggs & Issues last Tuesday. The breakfast event, held at SRTC, brings together panels of representatives each year from different entities in the community. They weigh-in on current issues that affect Colquitt County.

The “Governmental Power Panel,” moderated by Sheriff Rod Howell, included Charles White from the office of U.S. Rep. Austin Scott; Jody Redding from the office of Gov. Brian Kemp; and Georgia House Rep. Chas Cannon.

“Let’s begin with something very timely. Let’s discuss FLOST,” said Howell. “Its potential impacts on Colquitt County ahead of the November vote.”

“Big picture. FLOST … and if you can explain the acronym for it, I’ll give you $10 … stands for flexible … it was ‘Flexible’ … now it’s ‘Floating’ Local Option Sales Tax. And the big picture, was it’s a one-for-one swap on your county taxes and on your city taxes, for sales tax, against your property tax,” said Cannon.

Sales tax in Colquitt County is currently 8 cents per dollar of the purchase price. Half of that goes to the state, and half is made up of four 1-penny local taxes.

“We have a SPLOST that stands for Special Purpose Local Option Sales Tax. We have a TSPLOST, transportation. We have an ESPLOST. It’s for the Board of Education and a LOST, Local Option Sales Tax, also goes to the board of education,” Cannon explained. “LOST is unique in that it can be spent on operational costs. The other three pennies are restricted to capital like bridges and cars and trucks, highways and that kind of thing.”

He said FLOST would be an operational penny for the county and the municipalities. It will take the local sales tax from 4% to 5%, he said. He said it broadened the tax base of tax-payers. He said the tax base would include people who live here, travel through here, people on vacation, people coming for sports games and even people that were here illegally.

“You buy something in Colquitt County, you’re gonna pay a 5% sales tax. That extra penny’s gonna off-set property tax for all folks in the county that own property,” he said.

He added, the overall intent of FLOST was to put downward pressure on property tax for county and city residents. Redding said, “A few years ago, the state realized that we had an issue with property values escalating faster than the rate of inflation and along came House Bill 581, which the governor signed into law and brought us to this point where we’re at.”

He said that it would give much needed relief to property owners and lower the tax burden on some residents. He said, he wanted to thank Cannon and Georgia Sen. Sam Watson for all of their hard work on it.

Watson was scheduled to be on the panel but was absent due to a meeting of the Senate Special Committee on Eliminating Georgia’s Income Tax, which he was appointed to by Lt. Gov. Burt Jones.

Cannon said the FLOST was projected to reduce property taxes by 51% across all types of property. This included residential, non-residential, commercial, industrial and agricultural.

“You’ve got 24,000 parcels in the county. You have 50,000 people here. 24,000 parcels, some of which are owned by the same folks, are taking the load for the entire county government and the entire city government,” he said. “So, we’re trying to spread that out a little bit and put downward pressure on property tax.”

Next, Howell asked the panel, “Looking ahead, what do you foresee, in Georgia and Colquitt County, for income and property tax in 2026?” Cannon replied that the state had already lowered income tax about 20 basis points the last two years.

“The Senate is speaking, today, to try to eliminate income tax. We’re at 5.19%, right now, on both corporate and the individual income side. A lot of folks don’t like income tax. ‘Why’re you paying a tax on income?’” he said. “So, that philosophy is somewhat spreading out around states. Florida doesn’t have income tax, Tennessee doesn’t have income tax, Texas doesn’t have income tax.”

He said they could eliminate income tax overnight but there were a lot of extensions out there and credits. He added that there were a lot of credits that they could eliminate and get rid of income tax.

“But that’s gonna be a very difficult thing to do politically. A lot of different trade associations, trade groups have their fixed tax credit they are fighting for and getting rid of that is gonna be very tough,” Cannon said.

He said, for local taxes, however, HB 581 and the FLOST would have the most direct impact locally.

Redding said, “The Georgia House and Senate passed the largest state tax cut in the State’s history a few years ago and, in the last year, accelerated it. The state’s in good shape. Financially, fiscally. We’ve got good leadership.”

He said, if tax-payers looked at their last statement, they should have seen a little drop in their state income tax.

Cannon added that, when they dropped the 5.39% down to 5.19%, that rate was permanent.

“So, the state loses that revenue by dropping those 20 basis points this year and next year and the year after and the year after that,” he said. “So, that’s a loss of revenue to the State. Somehow, the State’s gotta make that up. But that is a permanent reduction in your income tax.

Colquitt County Republican Party Chair Dennis Futch spoke to the Georgia Senate Special Committee on Eliminating Georgia’s Income Tax, according to the Moultrie Observer.

Dennis Futch, owner of The Tax Shop, in Moultrie and chairman of the Colquitt County Republican Party, spoke in front of the Senate Special Committee on Eliminating Georgia’s Income Tax Aug. 19. The committee, which was established by Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, met for the first time last week. Individuals were welcome to sign-up to speak in front of the committee at the end of its meeting.

When Futch got up to speak, he told the committee, “It could be said, it could be counter-productive for me to want y’all to eliminate the state income tax but it’s not about me. It’s about what’s best and the right thing for the people in the State of Georgia.”

He said that’s what he wanted to do and that’s what he wanted to help them do. Because, he believed, that it would increase economic activity, bringing more businesses and more retirees to Georgia.

“And the data proves it. Now, let me make something clear, we’re not talking about reducing revenue or reducing services or social engineering,” Futch said. “We’re talking about how do we change where the money comes from that pays for all those things.”

He said that he thought it was a good step forward on property tax when they passed FLOST but he thought they needed to revisit it this year. Giving counties and school boards the ability to opt-out was a mistake, he said.

He also said he thought, with the excess funds that were going to come in, they should eliminate property tax on homesteads for those 67 years of age and older.

“You should own your home, at some point in your life, without having to pay the government something,” he added.

He said he thought that there may be some other taxes that they think about raising like the excise tax.

“The sin taxes. Tobacco, alcohol. If those people are gonna consume those things and be sicker and be a burden on Medicaid and the health system, well they need to pay a little more to consume those things,” Futch said.

He also said, if they passed gambling in the state, the government should take about a 20% cut of it.

“We can go to a zero income tax inside of five years and have a $2 billion more surplus per year than we have today. The numbers support it. And I encourage you to take a look at it,” he said.

He said that he had provided a plan that he had written to Sen. Blake Tillery, chairman of the committee. If anyone wanted to reach out to him, he was easy to find, he said.

Tillery said that he got the plan and would make sure that members of the committee got a copy, too.

The Bibb County Sheriff’s Office will support the federal ICE agency under the 287(g) program, according to 13WMAZ.

The program allows local law enforcement to train under ICE and perform some of their duties.

Right now, Bibb deputies are only allowed to serve additional warrants to undocumented immigrants who are already in the Bibb County Jail for other charges.

After they satisfy those charges, then ICE could step in and detain them. This model is called the Warrant Service Officer model.

Colonel Chris Patterson with the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office says the agency chose this approach over the Jail Enforcement Model, which requires agencies to process undocumented immigrants with criminal or pending criminal charges upon arrest.

Patterson says the Warrant Service Model better suits the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office.

“It lets our manpower stay here inside and if any of the ICE agents or DHS or whatever has warrants for people they can notify us here,” Patterson said. “I mean, we felt that that was just best suited our agency.”

Patterson says they’ve trained three deputies in the program to issue those warrants.

According to ICE’s website, Monroe County has also joined the 287(g) Program, operating under the Jail Enforcement Model.