Youth is wasted on the young

Welcome to The Georgia Politics Podcast! On today's show, Chris Carr announces first for governor, Kelly Loeffler gets a nomination, and Mack Jackson's challenger not going away yet.

First up, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr has announced his candidacy for the 2026 gubernatorial race, aiming to succeed term-limited Governor Brian Kemp. Carr, a Republican, emphasized job creation, public safety, and defending constitutional freedoms as central themes of his campaign.

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated former Georgia Senator Kelly Loeffler to lead the Small Business Administration (SBA) in his upcoming administration. Loeffler, known for her business acumen and close ties to Trump, previously served in the Senate and was a significant donor to Trump's 2024 campaign.

Republican Tracy Wheeler is challenging her 48-vote loss to Democrat Mack Jackson in Georgia's House District 128, citing alleged voting irregularities. Her lawsuit claims ineligible voters participated, eligible voters were excluded, and ballots were wrongly rejected. If proven, a new election could be ordered. The Georgia GOP supports the challenge, citing redistricting errors. Jackson won by 0.2%, with results certified last week.

Georgia lawmakers may revisit revising the 1985 Quality Basic Education Act, spurred by a new audit revealing inefficiencies in school funding. The report highlights a 30% rise in administrative expenses from 2019-2023, outpacing inflation, and inconsistent links between spending and student outcomes. Previous reform attempts stalled, but this data could reignite debate on addressing districts' diverse needs.

Underhyped/Overhyped, Play-Along-at-Home and much more on today's jam packed episode!

Connect with The Georgia Politics Podcast on Twitter @gapoliticspod

Preston Thompson on Twitter @pston3

Hans Appen on Twitter @hansappen

Craig Kidd on Twitter @CraigKidd1

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