By Jill Nolin | Editor
Happy Saturday! Let’s review.
Bottoms v. Jackson: This week was a big one in Georgia politics. Voters had this one shot at seeing a side-by-side of their choices for governor. The Atlanta News First town hall-style debate is the only one Republican Rick Jackson agreed to do. That means instead of journalists asking questions, independent or undecided voters were drafted to quiz the candidates. You can read our coverage here. And if you missed the show and want to see the replay, you can watch it here.
Collins v. Ossoff: We also had the first debate in Georgia’s U.S. Senate race, and both candidates delivered a fiery performance laced with personal zingers. You can find our take on some of the highlights here, and the replay of the debate can be found here.
More debates to come: Bottoms is set to square off against an empty podium at the Atlanta Press Club debates next week. But get ready for round two of the Collins-Ossoff show. You can find the full debate schedule here. We’ll be there for both days of the debates so check back for our coverage.
That’s all for now. Stay safe this weekend.
Ava Bullard, who is the namesake of a 2015 Georgia law, was diagnosed with severe autism as a toddler. Bullard graduated in December from the University of Georgia with a major in biology and now has a job in the medical field. Photo courtesy of Ava Bullard
HEALTHCARE
By Ariel Hart
Krystina McQueen’s severely autistic foster son – who is prone to biting and hitting — has made big strides in his few weeks in specialized behavior therapy. He’s in it at the crucial time to learn basic skills, as he’s about to turn 3.
But last week the Hall County foster mom got a call from the therapy provider. The business said it may not be able to afford treating him, after Georgia Medicaid abruptly slashed the reimbursement rate by 30% in their policies for foster kids.
Her provider has already stopped accepting new patients at that rate, she was told. Other providers are doing the same, or have even dropped existing patients.
U.S. Rep. Sanford Bishop speaks at a rally for U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff on Aug. 18, 2026. Maya Homan/Georgia Recorder
REDISTRICTING
By Maya Homan
At first glance, a largely rural district that stretches across 30 counties in middle and southwest Georgia might not seem like friendly turf for a Democrat.
But Congressman Sanford Bishop, a moderate Albany Democrat, has comfortably fended off GOP attempts to flip the seat in recent years. Bishop has represented the 2nd Congressional District for more than three decades and is currently the longest-serving member of Georgia’s congressional delegation. The 79-year-old is expected to win another two-year term this fall.
Bishop is also the only Georgia Democrat to represent a congressional district that falls outside of metro Atlanta, and his district’s location, bordered by Republican-controlled districts to the north and east, makes it a prime candidate for partisan gerrymandering.
State Rep. Sharon Cooper models a shirt featuring her corgi, Maggie, named for former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. Cooper has sponsored pet-related legislation including a bill to protect pets in family violence proceedings. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder
2026 ELECTION
By Ross Williams
The dogs and cats in your life don’t get a vote on Nov. 3, so they’re counting on you to get it right.
That’s the message from the Georgia Pet Coalition, a nonpartisan group of Georgia humans who advocate state and local governments on behalf of the state’s companion animals.
“We do not endorse candidates, and we remain nonpartisan,” said Peggy McCarthey of the coalition’s board of directors. “But we do want to educate our voters about what the pertinent issues are.”
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ICYMI FROM THE RECORDER
Obama featured in videos boosting Bottoms, Ossoff in Georgia | Alander Rocha
OTHER GEORGIA NEWS
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