Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026
Good morning! In the news today: The midterm election season kicks into high gear in Savannah; one of the state’s most prominent Democratic lawmakers faces a primary challenge in Liberty County; and Coastal Georgia elected officials and candidates react to military intervention in Savannah. Finally, we note some sthings for your radar. Questions, comments, or story ideas? You can reach me at craig.thecurrent@gmail.com.
NEWS: POLITICS
On your marks, get set, go!
With the start of the new year, the midterm election season in Georgia kicks into high gear, starting in Savannah at 6:30 p.m. Thursday with six Democratic gubernatorial candidates gathering at Jonesville Baptist Church to present their views — and hopefully debate — issues in advance of the all-important party primary elections on May 19.
If public opinion polls are anything to go by, expect to hear the word “affordability” uttered frequently by the candidates slated to participate — Keisha Lance Bottoms, Olu Brown, Geoff Duncan, Jason Esteves, Derrick Jackson, Ruwa Romman, and Michael Thurmond.
The forum is part of the Savannah Debate Series sponsored by with the Greater Black Chamber of Commerce, the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce, WJCL TV, Chatham County GOP, and the Democratic Party of Chatham County. Republican gubernatorial candidates will convene for similar debate later this spring for a similar forum, followed by a gathering this fall of the general election gubernatorial candidates.
NEWS: POLITICS
‘Try something new’
A longtime Liberty County businesswoman and political consultant has launched a primary challenge to one of Coastal Georgia’s most prominent politicians and one of the state’s most prominent Democratic lawmakers.
Sabrina Newby announced Friday that she is taking on Midway’s Al Williams for the Democratic nomination for the District 168 seat in the state House of Representatives. The 78-year-old Williams has served in the House for more than 22 years.
In declaring her candidacy, the 57-year-old Newby, president of Coastal Georgia Minority Chamber of Commerce, did not single out or criticize the incumbent by name, insisting her decision to seek the seat wasn’t “about one person.” She said, however, it was “time to try something new,” The Current’s Robin Kemp reports.
In 12 party primaries since 2002, Williams has faced a challenger only three times. In the same number of general elections, he has had a Republican opponent only three times, the last occasion in 2006.
NEWS: POLITICS
‘We’re so back’
With a large dollop of bravado and an occasional dab of circumspection, elected officials and political candidates in key midterm races in Coastal Georgia and elsewhere in the state reacted on social media to the U.S. raid on Venezuela, The Current’s Craig Nelson reports.
Between the race for the Republican nomination to face Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff in the fall and the contest to succeed Earl “Buddy Carter” as Coastal Georgia’s representative in Congress, much, if not most, of the reaction to the raid was fueled by the calendar — specifically, the party primaries scheduled for May 19.
For most Republican officials and candidates, reaction to the raid seemed to be tailored to curry favor with President Donald Trump and his GOP supporters in the state. For their Democratic counterparts, especially on the GOP-dominated coast, it meant scrambling to raise questions about the prudence and constitutionality of the raid.
NEWS: GOVERNING
7 things for your radar
• Survey time: The state legislature convenes Monday for the start of its 40-day session. That means it’s time for you, dear readers, to tell us what lawmakers’ priorities should be. Please click here to start. We’ll report the results next week.
• Dark money: Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, Donald Trump’s pick for Georgia’s next governor, calls ads accusing him and his family of profiting off taxpayers “fabricated trash” and urged they be pulled from airwaves. State GOP Chairman Josh McKoon says Georgia Integrity, the mysterious group funding the ads, has “zero integrity.”
• Land use: The Current’s Ellen Hunter updates efforts in Savannah to memorialize the site of “The Weeping Time,” one of the largest sales of enslaved people in American history.”
• ‘Historic milestone’: Savannah’s Alicia Johnson is sworn in as the first Black woman on the Georgia Public Service Commission.
• ‘Passion and expertise’: Lt. Gov. Burt Jones appoints top GOP official and elections integrity activist Salleigh Grubbs to the State Election Board.
For your calendar: Democratic gubernatorial candidate forum, Thursday, Jan. 8, 6:30 p.m. at Jonesville Baptist Church, 5201 Montgomery St., in Savannah. The event will be broadcast and live streamed by WJCL TV.
Monday, Jan. 12: The state legislature convenes. Wednesday, Jan. 14: Gov. Brian Kemp highlights the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s Eggs & Issues breakfast in Atlanta.
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U.S. raid on Venezuela draws mixed reactions from Coastal Georgia politicians
Elected officials and political candidates in Coastal Georgia and elsewhere in the state reacted on social media to the U.S. raid on Venezuela, with some praising the operation and others criticizing it for its lack of constitutional authority.
Businesswoman Sabrina Newby announces run against veteran Rep. Al Williams
Sabrina Newby, president of the Coastal Georgia Minority Chamber of Commerce, has launched a primary challenge to longtime Democratic Representative Al Williams for the District 168 seat in the state House of Representatives, citing the need for change and improved infrastructure, economic opportunity, and public transparency.
Tell us your priorities for the 2026 Georgia General Assembly
We’ve created an annual survey to gather feedback from you on your priorities for elected officials. We’re encouraging you to complete it and let us know what issues are most important to you.
Georgia’s footprint in the EV industry is expected to grow in 2026
Hyundai and Rivian have both made significant investments in Georgia’s electric vehicle industry, with Hyundai opening a new assembly plant and Rivian breaking ground on a multi-billion dollar facility, while also providing training and educational opportunities for veterans, technical college students, and engineering students.
Several controversial bills from last legislative session could return this year
Georgia’s legislative session begins Jan. 12, with lawmakers introducing new bills and revisiting previously rejected legislation, including restrictions on traffic cameras, diversity programs, and gender-affirming care.
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