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

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

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

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

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

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

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod