Michelle Baruchman

Michelle Baruchman is the Politics News and Enterprise Reporter for the AJC, where she covers statewide political stories. She returned to Atlanta, after spending six years at The Seattle Times covering transportation, mental health, education and local news in the Pacific Northwest.

Latest from Michelle Baruchman

Thousands of Georgia kids in foster care denied psychotherapy

Department of Human Services cuts services to families to deal with deficit

As Georgia's Department of Human Services struggles with a massive deficit, Commissioner Candice Broce pleaded with state lawmakers for more funding.

Senate District 21 Election Results: Candidate wins

Democrats’ showing in Georgia special elections boosts party, unnerves Republicans

Competitive special elections have put once-securely Republican districts in play for Democrats, who seek to inch toward controlling the Georgia House in 2026.

What we learned from a Democratic win in an Athens House seat

Eric Gisler will represent House District 121, which covers south Athens, Watkinsville and portions of Oconee County.

Georgia Democrats flip Republican state House seat in Athens area

A Republican state House seat in Georgia was won by a Democrat in a special election.

U.S. attorney says more indictments of government officials coming

Georgia state Rep. Sharon Henderson was charged Monday with fraud related to government assistance. Theodore Hertzberg says the investigations are not politically motivated.

Cancer advocates pushes for Medicaid Expansion

State lawmaker charged with unemployment fraud

Authorities say State Rep. Sharon Henderson, while a candidate for the Georgia House in 2020, applied for federal pandemic unemployment benefits under false pretenses.

Athens area voters to decide new state representative in special election

With a state House seat in Athens open, Republicans are looking to preserve the seat while Democrats are hoping to flip it.

Akbar Ali wins Gwinnett state House seat in runoff election

Democrats Akbar Ali defeated Democrat Marqus Cole in a runoff special election Tuesday to represent House District 106, which covers portions of Lawrenceville and Snellville.

Special election for state House seat in Cherokee County set for Dec. 9

Five Republicans and one Democrat are competing for House District 23, which covers Canton and unincorporated parts of Cherokee County.

It’s ‘deepfake’ season. Here’s how to spot AI in political ads.

Review sources with skepticism, and consider whether a particular image or video confirms preexisting — potentially controversial — beliefs, experts advise.