Just four years ago, Major League Baseball moved the All-Star Game from Georgia to protest the state’s then-new election law.

Tonight, it’s back.

On Tuesday’s episode of the “Politically Georgia,” podcast host Greg Bluestein talked to state Rep. Todd Jones, R-Cumming, who wrote the election law the league was protesting in 2021.

State Rep. Todd Jones, R-South Forsyth, answers a question regarding school voucher bill SB 133 at the House of Representatives in Atlanta on Thursday, March 23, 2023. (Arvin Temkar / arvin.temkar@ajc.com)

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

icon to expand image

Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC

“We are really happy to be able to say ‘play ball’ on Tuesday,” said Jones.

But he added he’d like to see an apology from the MLB commissioner Rob Manfred.

“But let’s face it, we need him to come out and say, ‘on further reflection, I made a mistake,’ and that’s OK. People accept that,” Jones said.

“It’s not just a game,” said Jones of the economic impact of the event. “There are some estimates as high as $150 million that the state lost in 2021.”

AJC Washington Bureau Chief Tia Mitchell also talks to Savannah Bureau Chief Adam Van Brimmer about U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff’s weekend campaign rally in the coastal city.

“It felt like the rally was a month from the election, not 16 months away,” said Van Brimmer of the 2026 race.

Adam Van Brimmer speaking at the Politically Georgia on the Road Tour on Monday, July 22, 2024 in Savannah, GA. (AJC Photo/Katelyn Myrick)

Credit: Katelyn Myrick

icon to expand image

Credit: Katelyn Myrick

Ossoff, did not mention his declared Republican challengers, U.S. Rep. Buddy Carter, R- St. Simmons Island, and state Insurance Commissioner John King.

But he targeted President Donald Trump and the passage of the “big beautiful bill.”

The incumbent also called out U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Rome, who said she wouldn’t run for the seat.

“By the way Marjorie, it’s not too late to run for the Senate,” said the Georgia Democrat. “Don’t listen to the polls, Marjorie. You can do it.”

Have a question or comment for the show? Call or text the 24-hour “Politically Georgia” podcast hotline at 770-810-5297. We’ll play back your question and answer it during our next Monday mailbag segment. You can also email your questions to PoliticallyGeorgia@ajc.com.

Listen and subscribe to our podcast for free at Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts. You can also tell your smart speaker to “play the ‘Politically Georgia’ podcast.”

About the Author

Keep Reading

Workers with DeNYSE load the All-Star sign after removing it from near the stadium’s scoreboard on Tuesday, April 6, 2021, at Truist Park. (John Spink/AJC)

Credit: AJC file photo

Featured

Atlanta Mayor Andre Dickens (right) tours the Vine City neighborhood with his senior advisor Courtney English (left). (Matt Reynolds/AJC 2024)

Credit: Matt Reynolds