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Georgia Politics

Rep. Dexter Sharper, D-Valdosta, appears in the House of Representatives in Atlanta on Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026. Sharper pleaded guilty Wed. March 11 to lying to the government to receive unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

Second state lawmaker pleads guilty to pandemic unemployment fraud

State Rep. Dexter Sharper pleaded guilty in federal court on Wednesday to lying to the government to receive unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Even in MTG’s backyard, a Democrat gains traction

The MTG era in Georgia is over — for now

Three Georgia legislative races head to runoffs in April

Politically Georgia

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

Derek Dooley rolls out ‘contract’ in U.S. Senate bid

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Derek Dooley is rolling out a five-part pledge meant to underscore his outsider credentials.

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

Big money pours into Georgia’s special election to replace Greene

A super PAC backed by artificial intelligence companies has pledged to spend $500,000 supporting Republican Clay Fuller.

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

Rick Jackson sues Burt Jones for defamation amid heated governor’s race

The two Republican candidates for governor have been targeting each other in campaign ads.

Your Politics Team

Michelle Baruchman

Michelle Baruchman covers the Georgia House of Representatives and statewide issues.

Michelle Baruchman

Michelle Baruchman covers the Georgia House of Representatives and statewide issues.

Adam Beam

Adam Beam is the deputy politics editor.

Adam Beam

Adam Beam is the deputy politics editor.

Greg Bluestein

Greg Bluestein is the Atlanta Journal Constitution's chief political reporter.

Greg Bluestein

Greg Bluestein is the Atlanta Journal Constitution's chief political reporter.

Caleb Groves

Caleb Groves is a general assignment reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's politics team and a Kennesaw State ...

Caleb Groves

Caleb Groves is a general assignment reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's politics team and a Kennesaw State ...

Chris Joyner

Joyner is the deputy politics editor.

Chris Joyner

Joyner is the deputy politics editor.

Shannon McCaffrey

Politics Editor

Shannon McCaffrey

Politics Editor

Natalie Mendenhall

Natalie Mendenhall is an award-winning producer for the "Politically Georgia" podcast.

Natalie Mendenhall

Natalie Mendenhall is an award-winning producer for the "Politically Georgia" podcast.

Tia Mitchell

Tia Mitchell is the AJC’s Washington Bureau Chief and a co-host of the "Politically Georgia" podcast.

Tia Mitchell

Tia Mitchell is the AJC’s Washington Bureau Chief and a co-host of the "Politically Georgia" podcast.

Patricia Murphy

Patricia Murphy is the AJC's senior political columnist.

Patricia Murphy

Patricia Murphy is the AJC's senior political columnist.

Maya T. Prabhu

Maya T. Prabhu covers the Georgia Senate and statewide issues as a government reporter for The AJC.

Maya T. Prabhu

Maya T. Prabhu covers the Georgia Senate and statewide issues as a government reporter for The AJC.

David Wickert

David Wickert writes about the state budget, finance and voting issues.

David Wickert

David Wickert writes about the state budget, finance and voting issues.

DOJ in Fulton

Harold Melton delivered the annual state of the judiciary as state Supreme Court chief Justice. Now in private practice, Melton will mediate the contention between Fulton County and the DOJ over 2020 voting records. (AJC 2019)

Former Georgia chief justice appointed to mediate Fulton FBI raid dispute

Former Georgia Supreme Court Chief Justice Harold Melton, now in private practice, called ‘an honest broker.’

How one of Trump’s ‘pit bulls’ paved the way for the FBI’s raid in Fulton

Former federal prosecutors denounce FBI seizure of Fulton County ballots

State Election Board chair dismisses calls for Fulton County takeover

Opinion and Voices

Sen. Matt Brass, R-Newnan, talks with journalists after the Georgia Senate passed a data center bill during Crossover Day at the Georgia Legislature on Friday, March 6, 2026, in Atlanta. (Ben Gray for the AJC)

GUEST COLUMN

Georgia risks competitive advantage with bills that curb data center growth

Georgia is a leader in data center growth and construction, but those gains could be imperiled if legislative proposals pass to stymie the industry.

PATRICIA MURPHY

The MTG era in Georgia is over — for now

Marjorie Taylor Greene may be done with elected office for now, or forever, but she isn’t going quietly. President Trump should have thought of that before he cut her loose.

GUEST COLUMN

How the Rev. Jesse Jackson got corporate America to take diversity seriously

The Rev. Jesse Jackson did not just march on the streets. He went to corporate America C-suite leaders to demand opportunities for Americans of diverse backgrounds.

Second state lawmaker pleads guilty to pandemic unemployment fraud

House budget would pay for literacy coaches in every elementary school

Fani Willis blasts Georgia Senate panel — again

3 Georgia General Assembly seats up for grabs in Tuesday special election

Follow Crossover Day action live from the Georgia Capitol

Paper ballot bill dies on Crossover Day

Georgia Legislature takes aim at data center tax breaks on Crossover Day

More AJC Politics

Vice President JD Vance, Erika Kirk to visit UGA

The University of Georgia is one of five stops on a national college tour put on by Turning Point USA, which was founded by the late Charlie Kirk.

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

Derek Dooley rolls out ‘contract’ in U.S. Senate bid

Republican U.S. Senate candidate Derek Dooley is rolling out a five-part pledge meant to underscore his outsider credentials.

The impact of the Iran war on gas prices in metro Atlanta

Iran war sends Atlanta fuel prices higher, diesel now more than $5 per gallon

Gas prices are getting higher in metro Atlanta and around Georgia thanks to the conflict in the Middle East.

Second state lawmaker pleads guilty to pandemic unemployment fraud

State Rep. Dexter Sharper pleaded guilty in federal court on Wednesday to lying to the government to receive unemployment benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.

‘It’s a big hit.’ How high diesel prices can hurt Atlanta’s economy.

Diesel prices on Wednesday surged to an average of $5 a gallon in metro Atlanta, according to AAA, as the ongoing war in the Middle East rattles global markets.

Even in MTG’s backyard, a Democrat gains traction

Shawn Harris leads crowded field in deep-red northwest Georgia, hinting at Democratic energy heading into the midterm cycle.

POLITICALLY GEORGIA

Big money pours into Georgia’s special election to replace Greene

A super PAC backed by artificial intelligence companies has pledged to spend $500,000 supporting Republican Clay Fuller.

GUEST COLUMN

Georgia risks competitive advantage with bills that curb data center growth

Georgia is a leader in data center growth and construction, but those gains could be imperiled if legislative proposals pass to stymie the industry.

Ex-Stonecrest mayor Jason Lary sentenced in federal fraud case

Ex-Stonecrest mayor sent back to prison for mental exam

The former mayor of Stonecrest accused of falsely qualifying for a city election after embezzling federal COVID-19 funds will return to prison for a mental health evaluation.

Three state legislative special elections head to runoffs

Three Georgia legislative races head to runoffs in April

Three special elections for seats in the state House and Senate head to runoff elections next month.