It’s day nine of the federal government shutdown. President Donald Trump is preparing to leave for the Middle East, where he has been invited to speak before the Israeli parliament after the country agreed to a ceasefire with Hamas.
In Georgia, we’re in the thick of debate season with just 26 days to go until elections to fill two seats on the Public Service Commission and on various local governments across the state. WSB-TV will air a forum for Sandy Springs mayor at 8 p.m. Hopefully more than one candidate will show up to this one.
Here are the top three political stories of the day.
Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC
Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC
1. Health insurance spikes get real
For months, Democrats have been warning about rising health insurance costs. Now, Georgia consumers are getting their first look at how much it could cost them next year. Open enrollment doesn’t begin until Nov. 1 for plans sold on Georgia Access, but 2026 options are already available for window shopping. Ariel Hart took a gander at what’s on the table.
- Told you so. A 60-year-old Fulton County couple making $85,000 per year would see their monthly premium more than triple. That’s roughly in line with what the health research organization KFF predicted would happen.
- But why? Plans have been cheaper since the pandemic because of extra taxpayer-funded subsidies. Those “enhanced” subsidies are set to expire at the end of the year. It would mean big increases for people who are older and whose wages are either just above the poverty level or just above middle income.
- There’s still time. Congress could vote to extend these subsidies. Democrats are insisting on it. But Republicans, who have majorities in both the House and Senate, have balked. It would cost taxpayers about $350 billion over 10 years, according to the Congressional Budget Office.
Credit: Meg Kinnard/AP
Credit: Meg Kinnard/AP
2. Southern governor’s races offer a peek at the GOP’s future
Remember 2010? It’s the year that gave us iPads, Instagram and skinny jeans. It’s also the last time five reliably Republican Southern states all had open governor’s races at the same time. It’ll happen again next year, and the results could offer a glimpse of what a post-President Donald Trump Republican Party could look like.
- The situation. Voters in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee will pick new governors in 2026. These states are among the core of conservatism in the U.S. Their leaders will shape the GOP’s trajectory once Trump leaves office after 2028.
- Who are the contenders? Trump has already endorsed Byron Donalds in Florida and Burt Jones in Georgia. U.S. Sens. Marsha Blackburn in Tennessee and Tommy Tuberville in Alabama — both MAGA allies — have strong support. South Carolina’s GOP primary is wide-open, featuring two statewide elected officials and two members of Congress.
- What about Georgia? While Trump’s endorsement is expected to be the difference maker in most of these states, Georgia Republicans have viable alternatives in Attorney General Chris Carr and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Both defeated Trump-endorsed primary candidates in 2022.
Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC
Credit: Arvin Temkar/AJC
3. Kamala Harris looks to the future in her return to Georgia
Former Vice President Kamala Harris returned to Georgia on Wednesday to tout her new memoir rehashing her failed 2024 presidential campaign. But she largely avoided relitigating that race during a 90-minute discussion at the Tabernacle. Greg Bluestein was there.
- Buyer’s remorse. Harris believes “a significant number” of people voted for Trump because they believed he would lower prices. “He made them a promise he has not kept,” she said.
- One surprise. Harris said Trump’s policies were predictable. But the response wasn’t. “What we have seen is some of the most powerful people in the world bend the knee to a tyrant in the most feckless way,” she said.
- What’s next? Harris has already passed on running for governor of California. But she hinted at another run for public office, noting her commitment to service. “I’m not walking away from that,” she said.
Correction
Yesterday’s newsletter should have said it would cost Georgia an extra $487 million to fully fund some food assistance programs.
Looking ahead
Thanks for reading AJC Politics P.M. Be sure to subscribe to the Politically Georgia newsletter for analysis and insight from Peachtree Street to Pennsylvania Avenue delivered weekday mornings to your inbox.
In tomorrow morning’s newsletter, we’ll tell you about how Georgia Democrats have been busy pushing for an extension of health insurance subsidies.
As always, you can find the latest politics news from Atlanta, Georgia and the South at AJC Politics and on our mobile app.
About the Author
Keep Reading
The Latest
Featured
