On May 12, 1740, Georgia forces under James Oglethorpe took Fort Diego in Florida from the Spanish and mocked the defenders’ jean shorts.
The worst American defeat of the Revolutionary War occurred at Charleston, South Carolina on May 12, 1780. American Major General Benjamin Lincoln, who surrendered that day would later accept the surrender of Cornwallis at Yorktown, Virginia.
On May 12, 1789, the Society of St. Tammany was founded in New York and would grow to a dominant home for political bosses. Plunkitt of Tammany Hall: A Series of Very Plain Talks on Very Practical Politics
George Washington visited Georgia on May 12, 1791. From Purysburg, South Carolina, Georgia officials escorted Washington on a barge twenty-five miles down the Savannah River to Savannah, where he would stay four days.
On May 12, 1864, Confederate General Joseph Johnston pulled his Army of Tennessee and Georgia back to Resaca, Georgia. In Virginia, Major General John B. Gordon saved the life, or prevented the capture of, General Robert E. Lee at Spotsylvania. After the war, Gordon would serve as Governor of Georgia and United States Senator.
On May 12, 1864, the Virginia Military Institute Corps of Cadets awoke in Staunton, where they had marched from Lexington 18 miles the previous day; after another 19 miles headed north up the Shenandoah Valley, the would make camp at Mt. Crawford, near Harrisonburg. The cadets ranged in age from fifteen to twenty-five years.
On May 12, 1970, Georgia National Guard troops were mobilized to end race riots that had broken out the night before in Augusta. On that same day, Ernie Banks of the Chicago Cubs, my father’s favorite player as a youth, hit his 500th home run.
Georgia Politics, Campaigns, and Elections
As of today, 533,729 voters cast early ballots for the May 19, 2026 Primary Election, according to the Secretary of State’s website.
Democratic – 290,155 (54.4%)
Republican – 235,466 (44.1%)
Nonpartisan – 8,108 (1.5%)
After 12 days of early voting, including the only two Saturdays for voting, Bulloch County’s turnout in the current partisan general primary and nonpartisan general election topped 4%.
A cumulative total of 2,204 Bulloch voters had participated as of 5 p.m. Saturday, May 9, according to a county report. That included 2,071 Bulloch residents who had voted early in-person during 10 weekdays and two Saturdays, another 131 who had voted paper absentee ballots and two military or overseas U.S. citizens who voted by electronic ballot delivery.
So this was just over 4% of Bulloch’s 54,817 registered voters, a baseline that includes recently inactive, but still-registered voters.
Statewide, the combined early in-person and absentee turnout rate had reached 7.3% of active, registered voters by Monday evening, with 533,728 of the state’s 7,357,381 active voters participating, according to the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office online election data hub.
The state hub showed Bulloch County’s turnout so far at 4.9% as of Monday evening, with 2,486 voters having participated out of the county’s smaller “active” voter count of 50,685.
Early voting for Georgia’s May 19 primaries ends Friday, May 15.
More than 11,000 ballots were cast early in Muscogee County as of Monday.
Voters will choose the next mayor and several school board and city council seats. All four of Georgia’s top constitutional offices are also on the ballot, including governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state and attorney general.
Three early voting locations in Columbus are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily through Friday. The locations are the City Services Center on Citizens Way, Shirley Winston Recreation Center on Steam Mill Road and the Northside Recreation Center on American Way.
Early voting has broken records ahead of the May 19 primary, according to Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.
When it comes to election integrity, Raffensperger says the Peach State is among the best.
The candidate for governor hopes voters can trust the system when they go to cast their votes this week and next.
“So we’ve got a great election team. Like I said, Heritage gave us a No. 1 ranking. Heck, even Fox News said Georgia runs the most secure election in the entire country,” he said. “That’s phenomenal to think that 84 percent of folks are just happy campers and trust what we’re doing, because they know they’re getting free, fair and fast elections.”
Raffensperger said voters are most concerned about what he calls an affordability crisis, followed by safety and education.
“The cost of gas has gone up, you know, well over $1.50 since the Iran situation. Health care costs have, you know, gone through the roof. People are wondering if they can have health care. And then people are looking at the cost of homes. Property taxes have been killing them. Seniors are wondering if they can stay in their homes. So all these pain points of affordability are, you know, getting people’s attention,” Raffensperger said.
Other Republican candidates for governor include Attorney General Chris Carr, Clark Headrick Dean, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, Gregg Kirkpatrick, Thomas Williams and Ken Yasger.
Democratic candidates include Olu Brown, Amanda Duffy, Representative Derrick Jackson, former Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, former Senator Jason Esteves, Keisha Lance Bottoms and Mike Thurmond.
United States Representative Rick Allen (R-Augusta) was among the early voters, according to WJBF.
Congressman Rick Allen from Georgia’s 12th District is looking to hold on to his seat, casting his ballot early on Monday ahead of the May 19th primary election day.
Allen is being challenged by Republican Tori Branum, a former marine and firearms instructor.
The 12th District, which Allen represents, spans 22 counties.
Allen was asked he feels about Governor Brian Kemp’s decision not to call for a special session to redistrict Georgia with a an election already underway.
“We qualified the first week of March. The Supreme Court decision, you know, just happened last week. So after you qualify, you can’t change an election,” Allen said. “No judge will allow you to do that. Obviously, I leave early in the morning to go back to Washington, D.C. and we’ve got a lot on our plate, there. Obviously we’ve got to get, border patrol and interior enforcement funded.”
Early voting continues through May 15. The primary election is May 19.
Governor Brian Kemp will sign the FY 2027 State Budget, according to a media advisory.
On Tuesday, May 12, Governor Brian P. Kemp will be joined by First Lady Marty Kemp and Office of Planning and Budget (OPB) Director Rick Dunn at a bill signing ceremony where he will sign the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget.
WHAT: Governor Kemp will sign the FY27 budget for the State of Georgia.
WHO: Governor Brian P. Kemp, First Lady Marty Kemp, OPB Director Rick Dunn.
WHEN: Tuesday, May 12, at 2:00 p.m. (Media must be in place by 1:45 p.m.)
WHERE: Governor’s Ceremonial Office (Georgia State Capitol Building, Suite 203)
LIVESTREAM: The signing will be livestreamed on the Governor’s social media channels.
Governor Brian Kemp yesterday signed nine pieces of legislation, according to a press release.
Governor Brian P. Kemp, joined by First Lady Marty Kemp, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, Speaker Jon Burns, Office of Planning and Budget Director Rick Dunn, Georgia Department of Revenue Commissioner David Burge, members of the General Assembly, and other economic and business partners, signed multiple bills into law today supporting the state’s economy and reducing the tax burden on hardworking Georgians.
“We’ve remained the No. 1 state for business for a historic 12 consecutive years because of our commitment to growing opportunity and budgeting conservatively,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “That approach has allowed us to return billions of dollars to taxpayers, and the legislation I signed today will keep that momentum going as we further lower our state income tax rate, deliver on meaningful property tax relief, and ensure job creators have the opportunity to grow and thrive in the Peach State.”
“I am proud that we have cut taxes every year I’ve been Lt. Governor, and I want to thank Governor Kemp for leading the charge,” said Lt. Governor Burt Jones. “The bills being signed into law today help every family and business in Georgia. We are also supporting school choice and parents who want to decide on what’s best for their child’s educational needs by expanding the GOAL scholarship tax credit. This is a great day for Georgians.”
“When Georgians across the state made clear that affordability was the number one issue they faced, Republican leadership delivered real, meaningful relief that allows hardworking taxpayers to keep more of their money where it belongs – in their pockets,” said Speaker of the House Jon Burns. “From another historic income tax rebate and rate reduction to property tax relief and lower costs at the pump, the Georgia House was proud to champion measures delivering results when and where they were needed most.”
Governor Kemp signed nine pieces of legislation, included below:
HB 1129, sponsored by Representative Devan Seabaugh, was a legislative priority of Governor Kemp. It creates guardrails for state-designated enterprise zones.
HB 1185, sponsored by Representative Chuck Efstration, was another priority for the Kemp Administration. It modernizes complex corporate litigation policies and revises some standards around the Georgia Statewide Business Court.
SB 33 was a priority of Speaker Jon Burns. It enacts broad property tax reform by establishing a new Local Homestead Option Sales Tax (LHOST) aimed at providing homeowner tax relief and improving local fiscal management.
SB 111 was supported by Representative Angie O’Steen and expands the eligibility criteria for rural hospital organizations to include rural freestanding emergency departments and lowers indigent care thresholds, ultimately broadening access to tax-credit-eligible contributions for rural healthcare providers in Georgia.
HB 328, sponsored by Representative Kasey Carpenter, increases the tax credit for student scholarship organizations (SSO), expands student eligibility, and increases accountability measures for program providers.
HB 445, sponsored by Representative Chuck Martin, expands the right of business owners in Georgia to appeal tax reassessments of certain high-value tangible personal property to a hearing officer, and establishes new qualifications and procedures for officers handling appeals.
HB 463 lowers Georgia’s state income tax rate from 5.19% to 4.99%, beginning January 1, 2026. It includes provisions for further annual reductions of the state income tax rate as well as increases of the standard deduction. It raises the retirement income exclusion to $70,000 beginning in 2027 and introduces temporary tax exclusions for qualified overtime compensation and cash tips through 2028. It also repeals some tax credits and sales and use tax exemptions. This legislation fulfills Governor Kemp’s promise to accelerate the largest state income tax cut in state history, reaching a rate below 5% three years ahead of schedule.
HB 987, sponsored by Representative Todd Jones, codifies a voluntary framework for independent contractors to receive portable benefits through dedicated accounts, allowing contributions without affecting their employment classification.
HB 1209, sponsored by Representative Ron Stephens, establishes a limited sales and use tax exemption for construction materials used in specific developments near certain state-owned convention facilities.
Governor Kemp and First Lady Marty Kemp are grateful for all those who contributed to the legislation signed today.
From the Capitol Beat News Service via the Savannah Morning News:
Georgia lawmakers started the year with talk of eliminating both the state income tax and the property tax for homeowners.
The goal proved elusive, but they did compromise on a scaled-back income tax cut and on legislation to decelerate the rapid increases in local property tax costs for homeowners.
And on Monday, Gov. Brian Kemp signed those two measures into law.
“We believe it is your money, not the government’s,” Kemp said.
The Senate had at first voted to eliminate the income tax on the first $50,000 in annual earnings for individuals and the first $100,000 for married couples filing jointly. The goal was to increase the cuts for higher earners over time until the tax was abolished altogether. But the bill Kemp signed into law is more modest.
House Bill 463 will immediately reduce the income tax rate to 4.99% from the current 5.19%, then gradually reduce it by another percentage point over eight years if state revenues remain strong. Income tax deductions would also rise by 50% over that period, from the current $12,000 for single filers, to $18,000 — and double that for married couples. Dependent deductions also would rise by $2,000 over eight years from the current $4,000.
The new law also waives income tax on the first $1,750 of overtime pay and cash tips retroactive to the beginning of the year and increases the amount of excluded retirement income for those 65 and older by $5,000.
The increase in income tax cuts depends on a continual rise in state revenue estimates and collections. The governor’s annual revenue estimate must increase 3% and the prior year collections must have exceeded those in each of the three prior years. Also, the state must have enough in reserves to absorb the cost resulting from the increasing cuts.
Last week, Kemp’s office announced that revenues were continuing to rise, with April net tax collections up 5.9% over April of last year. However, nearly half of the nearly $4 billion came from the income tax. Those collections were up 10.1%.
Lt. Gov. Burt Jones said before Kemp signed the measures that it took months of negotiation between the Senate and House to reach a consensus. But Jones, a Republican candidate for governor, said they accomplished their goal on both income taxes and property taxes.
Senate Bill 33 was also a compromise. The House had hoped to eventually abolish property taxes. Instead, the measure will keep homeowner property taxes in check by restraining the increase in the official value of their homes.
The idea of eliminating the property tax altogether faced resistance from local governments and schools, which are funded in large part through that tax.
The new law will cap valuation increases at the rate of inflation.
“Property tax valuations have skyrocketed in every corner of this state,” said House Speaker Jon Burns, R-Newington. “Mileage rates have remained the same or even increased in some cases, placing a significant financial strain on families, homeowners and retirees living on fixed incomes.”
The amount paid for property taxes depends on two variables: the tax rate — called a millage rate — and property valuation. Cities, counties and schools could simply bump the tax rate part of that formula to bring in more revenue.
That might not be politically popular, but it would keep the lights on.
There is a catch for schools, though: nearly all of Georgia’s 180 school districts are limited to a maximum rate of 20 mills under the state constitution.
Most school systems are already near the maximum tax rate, with the state average at 15 mills.
Governor Brian Kemp officially lowered the state’s income tax rate Monday after signing the “Georgia Economic Growth and Tax Relief Act of 2026.”
Otherwise known as House Bill 463, the bill lowers the state’s income tax rate from 5.19% to 4.99%. Kemp signed the bill after it received passage for the state legislature at the end of the legislative session.
The new rate has created both excitement and speculation for taxpayers and experts in Central Georgia. William Bennett is a CPA, and runs Bennett Financials in Warner Robins. He says the new rate is a step in the right direction.
“It’s their acknowledgement that we know better how to spend our own money,” Bennett said. “It’s gonna really help taxpayers, especially here in Middle Georgia that are feeling the pinch right now of inflation.”
The bill also allows the rate to continue dropping by 0.125% annually starting in 2027 until it reaches 3.99%.
It also could increase standard deductions. For single filing taxpayers, that increase would go from $12,000 to $15,000 with annual increases of $375 until it reaches $18,000. Married couples filing jointly would see a deduction increase from $24,000 to $30,000 with annual increases of $750 until it reaches $36,000.
Families could also see an additional increase in dependent deductions. The bill calls for an increase from $4,000 to $5,000 per dependent, with an annual increase of $125 until the deduction hits $6,000.
Bennett argues these changes make filing taxes easier for families by aligning them with federal standards.
“It looks like the state of Georgia is going to make the standard deduction pretty close to what the federal standard deduction is. And so it’s really simplifying tax filing for families,” Bennett said. “That’s gonna save the average married couple about $300 to $400 off of their state tax bill. And then when you add in children like you’re talking about with the additional deductions, it’s gonna increase it even more.”
The bill also creates temporary tax exclusions for qualified overtime pay and cash tips, with up to $1,750 state income tax-free. Seniors also could see savings, with an increase in the retirement income tax exclusion, up from $65,000 to $70,000 starting in 2027.
The bill does aim to remove some tax credits and tax exemptions, including those for personal protective equipment manufacturers, manufacturers of medical equipment and supplies, pharmaceuticals, and medicine, and tax credits for alternative fuel, low-emission, and zero-emission vehicles and electric vehicle chargers.
Now that Governor Kemp has signed the bill, the tax rate is officially in effect in the state.
From Atlanta News First via WTVM:
At the signing, Kemp called the property tax legislation a response to years of public pressure.
“We have heard for years about the need for property tax relief in Georgia, and this bill delivers on that issue,” Kemp said.
On the property tax side, House Speaker Jon Burns said Georgia homeowners should see a one-time $500 break and a 3% cap on assessment increases, designed to slow sharp jumps in fast-growing areas.
Burns also addressed concerns from local governments and education leaders about reduced revenue.
“We will not penalize our local governments,” Burns said.
For some voters, the issue is already driving decisions at the ballot box. Atlanta News First spoke with James Hodges as he voted. Hodges, who said he is on a fixed income, told the station that rising property taxes are nearing unaffordable.
“I don’t like the way things are going, so I’m trying to make sure things get changed,” Hodges said.
Opposition groups and Democrats signaled they may challenge the legislation, arguing the measures moved too quickly and may not have complied with requirements for how revenue bills must advance through the General Assembly.
Staci Fox of the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute criticized the process.
“The legislature said, ‘No, we don’t want to ask the people… We want to do it our way.’ It says a lot,” Fox said.
Additional objections surfaced in a letter from state Rep. Scott Holcomb, D-Atlanta, who argued Senate Bill 33 violated the Georgia Constitution’s requirement that revenue-raising bills originate in the House.
Holcomb wrote that the constitution “is not optional” and called SB 33 unconstitutional because it originated in the Senate.
A separate controversy centered on House Bill 463. Lawmakers said a version provided to House members late on the final day of the 2026 legislative session was missing a page listing tax exemptions that would be eliminated. Sen. Josh McLaurin, D-Atlanta, warned on the Senate floor that the discrepancy could raise “a live litigation issue” over whether House members received the correct version.
Burns defended the legislative process and said questions raised about a missing page during the bill’s movement through the legislature did not change the substance lawmakers ultimately considered.
“It was just a rush… an unfortunate missing page, but it was in the bill,” Burns said.
Kemp faces a Tuesday deadline to sign or veto remaining bills.
Governor Kemp addressed the issue of patients exposed to Hantavirus coming to Georgia for treatment, according to Atlanta News First via WTVM.
Gov. Brian Kemp projected confidence in Georgia’s health institutions on Monday, saying the Atlanta-based Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and nearby Emory University Hospital are capable of taking the emerging hantavirus head-on.
Emory University Hospital on Monday took on two patients, one experiencing symptoms and another who spent time in close proximity to the symptomatic patient.
Hantavirus is a rare but potentially deadly disease.
“We’re as prepared as any state in the country to do this, and it’s just the right thing to do,” said Kemp during a press conference at the State Capitol. “We’re doing like we’ve done in the past.”
Kemp pointed to the CDC’s handling of COVID-19 and the two cases of Ebola the agency took on in 2014. The CDC and Emory University Hospital are world leaders in virus study and infectious disease prevention.
“There is nobody better to handle that than the folks at Emory,” said Kemp. “If you think about how they dealt with the folks that had Ebola, that had been transported back here. And we’re going to do the right thing. We’re going to help get these people back, and get them in the right environment that doesn’t put our fellow Georgians in jeopardy.”
Federal officials echoed Kemp’s confidence. At the White House on Monday, President Donald Trump and Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said they were certain the nation’s health agencies could keep the sickness contained.
“They acted very, very quickly,” said Trump.
“We’ve had CDC teams on it from Day One,” added Kennedy. “We have this under control and we’re not worried about it.”
The CDC uses a 1-3 scale to rank their response to outbreaks that pose potential danger to the public, with a 1 being the highest threat level. Right now, hantavirus is at a 3, meaning the CDC will enable its typical response and possibly utilize some members of their Emergency Operations Team, but the threat to the public remains low.
Student cell phones will be banned in high schools, according to the Macon Telegraph.
Gov. Brian Kemp signed nine bills on May 5 that he framed as a “historic” step for Georgia students, among them the Georgia Early Literacy Act of 2026 and House Bill 1009, which bans personal electronic devices — including cellphones — in high schools.
The law requires all devices to be stored away from the first bell of instruction time until dismissal. Students whose Individualized Education Program (IEP), Section 504 plan or medical plan requires the use of an electronic device would be exempt.
Under the law, high schools must implement restrictions by July 1, 2027.
While the measure has drawn concern from families who previously told The Telegraph that removing cellphones would limit communication during emergencies, State Rep. Floyd Griffin said he supports the phone ban.
Griffin also praised the literacy law, which comes when only one in three Georgia third-graders can read on grade level, according to House Speaker Jon Burns.
“I think literacy is utmost importance to success for young people,” Griffin said. “They should know how to read and read well and comprehend at the third grade level.”
State Rep. Dale Washburn said he was also “pleased” to support the literacy measure and the cellphone ban, calling them overdue responses to problems that have worried lawmakers and educators for years.
“It has been troubling to many of us about so many students being so far behind in reading skills,” Washburn told The Telegraph. “We’re excited about this program and look forward to seeing the results of having these reading coaches teaching coaches in school.”
Gov. Kemp also signed legislation creating a new scholarship for low-income students, according to the Capitol Beat News Service via the Savannah Morning News.
Next fall, Georgia students attending one of the state’s public colleges and universities will have a chance at financial aid if they come from a low-income family.
Gov. Brian Kemp on Monday signed legislation that establishes a need-based financial aid program.
The amended budget for fiscal year 2026 already included $325 million for the DREAMS Scholarship. Senate Bill 556 establishes the rules for spending it, placing the program under the Georgia Student Finance Commission, which oversees the HOPE scholarships.
Kemp had pledged to create the scholarship during his State of the State address in January.
He said his signature on SB 556 will “endow the largest investment in a need-based scholarship the state has ever seen.”
House Bill 328 by State Rep. Kasey Carpenter (R-Dalton) and signed by Gov. Kemp, increases the aggregate limit for tax credits in the program providing private school scholarships for students in low-performing schools, according to the Capitol Beat News Service via the Savannah Morning News.
More taxpayers will be able to contribute to a private school scholarship fund while receiving a state tax credit for the full amount after Gov. Brian Kemp signed House Bill 328 Monday.
The measure increases the aggregate cap on tax-credited contributions to organizations that distribute scholarships to attend private K-12 schools or to pay for homeschool costs.
The annual cap was $120 million. It rises to $150 million.
Kemp signed the measure at the Capitol along with other tax measures Monday.
HB 328 also relaxes requirements for to obtain the scholarships, which are generally available only to those who attend a low-performing public school.
Now, students from military families and those with intellectual or developmental disabilities can obtain a scholarship without enrolling in a low-performing public school.
The Senate Special Committee on Investigations issued subpoenas to force former Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams to testify, according to the AJC.
The committee issued a subpoena for Abrams to testify at a Friday hearing. It’s investigating campaign finance violations by two groups founded by Abrams.
“Georgia law requires transparency and accountability in our elections,” Sen. Greg Dolezal, D-Cumming, the committee’s vice chair and a candidate for lieutenant governor, said in a statement late Monday. “The people of Georgia deserve to know who was involved, what decisions were made and how millions of dollars flowed through organizations that admitted to violating our campaign finance laws.”
Abrams, who ran as the Democratic candidate for governor in 2018 and 2022, blasted the committee in her own statement but signaled she will testify, though perhaps not on Friday.
“Today, the Georgia State Senate delivered a subpoena for me to testify in a partisan, performative hearing designed to intimidate and disarm voting rights advocates across Georgia and the nation,” Abrams said. “Despite the hollow, cynical intent, I will indeed do so on a mutually agreeable date.”
Last year the Senate charged the committee with investigating the actions of the voting rights groups New Georgia Project and the New Georgia Project Action Fund, both founded by Abrams. In January 2025 they admitted to illegally supporting Abrams’ 2018 campaign for governor.
The groups raised and spent millions of dollars to support Abrams without registering as political committees or disclosing their activities. They agreed to pay a $300,000 civil penalty — the largest fine levied for campaign finance violations in Georgia history.
U.S. District Judge Leslie Abrams Gardner (MD-GA) declined to unseal a lawsuit by Democratic candidates for Georgia Supreme Court, according to the AJC.
Jen Jordan and Miracle Rankin, two left-leaning plaintiff attorneys, are hoping to oust Justices Charlie Bethel and Sarah Warren in next week’s election. Jordan and Warren are ballot opponents, as are Rankin and Bethel.
Jordan and Rankin sued the Judicial Qualifications Commission last month. But they won’t say why. The commission is a state-funded agency that investigates and prosecutes allegations of judicial misconduct.
The only clue comes from Jordan and Rankin’s petition asking a federal judge to seal the case. Their attorneys, including former Democratic Gov. Roy Barnes, wrote that commissioners “have started a process that could result in the issuing of a public statement critical of Plaintiffs in the midst of a contentious election after voting has already begun.”
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution asked U.S. District Judge Leslie Abrams Gardner to unseal the case, arguing “Georgia voters have a right to know this information to determine for themselves whether the candidates or the JQC is in the wrong.”
But Gardner declined to open the records, according to Thomas Clyde, an attorney representing the AJC. Instead, the judge held a hearing on Jordan and Rankin’s request for a temporary restraining order that was closed to the public.
Jordan and Rankin filed their lawsuit under seal because of a similar lawsuit brought by a 2024 Georgia Supreme Court candidate, John Barrow. That case failed in large part because the court ruled it should not have been filed publicly.
In an earlier order in the case, Gardner left open the door for possibly unsealing the case in the future. The judge is the sister of former Georgia House Democratic leader Stacey Abrams.
Democrats, including former president Joe Biden and former Vice President Kamala Harris, have endorsed Jordan and Rankin. The election is May 19.
U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock (D-Atlanta) criticized the U.S. Supreme Court decision in the Louisiana redistricting case, according to the Savannah Morning News.
U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock was flanked by rows of Savannahians and local Democratic leaders outside First African Baptist Church Monday morning, a site central to the Civil Rights Movement both locally and nationally.
“Last week marked a devastating day in the history of our country and a massive step backwards in American democracy,” Warnock said. “… I promised that I would fight for all Georgians, and this is an assault on the ability of ordinary people to be heard.”
The SCOTUS ruled 6-3 along ideological lines, with the courts conservative bloc in support, to strike down a proposed majority-Black congressional district in Louisiana. The ruling stated the district was an “unconstitutional racial gerrymander.”
That SCOTUS decision has led to a flurry of representatives from states in the South, including Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee, to call for special sessions of their state legislature to redraw U.S. Congressional maps. Coastal Georgia’s U.S. House Rep. Buddy Carter, who is also in a Republican primary for U.S. Senate, has called for a special session of the Georgia General Assembly to redraw the maps this year.
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp has ruled out redrawing congressional maps for this year’s races but said the legislature should redraw its maps ahead of the 2028 election cycle, according to reporting by the AJC. States such as Tennessee have moved forward with drawing new maps that split majority-Black districts.
Warnock criticized the court’s decision as bringing back “race-neutral policies” that negatively impact Black voters, saying those citizens will now be the target of gerrymandering that dilutes their representation. The senator also evoked “race- neutral policies” of the Jim Crow era such as poll tests.
“There’s nothing new about this. Black and brown voters are being targeted,” he said.
“This ruling was put forward by six partisan actors who serve on the Supreme Court. A couple of them, I would label political hacks. They are not calling balls and strikes,” Warnock said.
Texas was the first state to attempt to redraw districts, after President Donald Trump asked the governor to find five seats for the GOP.
As of this month, eight states across the country have implemented new congressional maps for the upcoming midterm elections.
“Honestly, I pray that we can get through this, the people’s voices can be heard in a fair way, but ultimately we oughta get rid of racial and partisan gerrymandering,” Warnock said.
In September, Warnock cosponsored the Redistricting Reform Act, which would ban partisan gerrymandering and require independent commissions to draw congressional maps.
The bill has been referred to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
In Georgia, Republicans are split on what to do.
Gov. Brian Kemp said redrawing districts should wait until the 2028 election.
Rep. Buddy Carter, who is running to be his party’s nominee for Senate, called on social media to do it now.
“Delay the House primary. Call a special session. Redraw the maps. Stop playing defense. Start fighting to win,” Carter wrote.
“So far, no takers on my bill. The politicians oughta stop playing with the lines and let the people speak,” Warnock said.
Despite what he described as a setback to voting rights, Warnock is encouraging everyone to exercise their right to vote.
“Black and brown voters are being targeted,” said Sen. Warnock.
He said this decision is a step backwards in democracy and civil rights.
“They are targeting our political power,” he said. “As a result of that decision last week, the Congressional Black Caucus is about to be smaller.”
“We have seen so-called race-neutral policies before that completely erase the ability of black and brown voters to be heard. Grandfather clauses, literacy tests,” he said.
Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Ga.) said he agrees with the Supreme Court’s decision.
In a statement to WSAV, he said the following:
“The Supreme Court got it right and returned the Voting Rights Act to its original intent: to protect against intentional racial discrimination. Governor Brian Kemp should delay the House primary, call a special session, and redistrict Georgia immediately. Georgians should not have to live under unconstitutional maps that were drawn to intentionally discriminate for two more years.”
Sen. Warnock said those who made this decision are prioritizing power over the people.
“Voting is not a privilege, it’s a right, and I’m tired of people treating it like a privilege,” said Sen. Warnock.
Democratic candidate for Governor Mike Thurmond will campaign in Athens, according to the Athens Banner Herald.
A rally in Athens for Michael Thurmond, a Democratic Party candidate for governor of Georgia, is planned for 6:30 p.m. Monday, May 11, at Ebenezer Baptist Church West, 205 North Chase St.
Thurmond, a native of Athens, is the special guest for the event sponsored by several groups in Athens, and is described as a nonpartisan event.
Thurmond is most recently the retired CEO of DeKalb County, but held a statewide post when he was Georgia Labor Commissioner.
U.S. Rep. Mike Collins (R-Jackson) campaigned for U.S. Senate in Valdosta, according to the Valdosta Daily Times.
U.S. Congressman Mike Collins made a stop in Valdosta on May 6 during his statewide Big Rig Roadshow for his campaign to take Jon Ossoff’s seat in the U.S. Senate.
The event was held at Jessie’s Restaurant and Catering, where food was provided for the crowd. There were around 70 people attending the event, and guests were invited to learn more about his campaign for Senate until the start of the speech.
“In October, you’re gonna get the opportunity to have two people on the stage,” Collins said. “Over here, you’re gonna have me, just a blue-collar, small businessman, successful in the trucking business… [On the other side] you’re gonna have a one-term U.S. senator that went in in 2020, shouldn’t be there, shouldn’t have gotten in there, we’re gonna get him out of there.”
“This bill [the Laken Riley Act] requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to detain certain non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) who have been arrested for burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting,” the bill states. “The bill also authorizes states to sue the federal government for decisions or alleged failures related to immigration enforcement.”
“The top of that ticket is a U.S. Senate race,” Collins said. “If you don’t put somebody up there that’s gonna turn out the voters, some of these down-ballot races are getting a little tighter… you’ve gotta make sure you put the right person up there.”
He described himself as pro-God, pro-Trump, pro-Second Amendment and pro-military during his speech. He also commented on politicians’ money not serving the people, and shared his party beliefs in how things get done in the Republican Party.
“Any Republican is better than any Democrat,” Collins said, “but just because you have an ‘R’ behind your name doesn’t mean you’re gonna stand up and take the tough votes and put America first.”
Hall County will take over management of 11 recreation sites on Lake Lanier, according to AccessWDUN.
Hall County Parks and Leisure announced it will assume the management of 11 additional recreation sites along Lake Lanier through a partnership with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE).
This comes after it was reported last year that the county and USACE would enter a cost-sharing agreement to reopen the parks.
Hall County will assume managements of the following sites on May 18, 2026:
Balus Creek Water Access Point
Belton Bridge Water Access Point
Burton Mill Day Use
Little Hall Day Use
Little River Day Use
Lula Water Access Point
Mountain View Water Access Point
Simpson Water Access Point
Robinson Day Use
Old Federal Day Use
Van Pugh North Day UseUnder the agreement, Hall County Parks and Leisure will oversee day-to-day operations, including maintenance, janitorial services, trash removal, mowing, and overall site management. The county will also support environmental stewardship efforts and continue enhancing the recreational experience for the public.
“This partnership is about keeping these parks open and continuing to serve our community at a high level,” Brent Holloway, Director of Hall County Parks and Community Services, said. “We understand how important these locations are to our residents and visitors, and our team is committed to maintaining them in a way that reflects that value.”
The county said that fees collected at the location sites will remain local and be reinvested directly into the operation, maintenance and improvement of the parks.
“This collaboration reflects a shared commitment between Hall County and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to preserve natural resources while maintaining public access to Lake Lanier’s recreational opportunities,” Hall County Government said in a release.
Comments ( 0 )