Catching Up on Georgia and Beyond: The Latest in Politics and Elections

Trump, Greene, and the Splintering of the MAGA Movement

The MAGA coalition seems to be fraying at the edges as of late.

From President Trump failing his promise of affordability, to the fallout surrounding the Epstein files, to foreign policy crises like Venezuela, it comes as no surprise that whispers of a fractured MAGA coalition are circulating throughout the Republican Party.

Marjorie Taylor Greene, who has not changed in her harmful rhetoric and policies, has recently led the charge against President Trump. And in a move that raised even more eyebrows, she abruptly announced she would step down from Congress effective January 5, 2026. Although Greene publicly cited burnout and threats, the timing is suspicious. Her resignation came only weeks after Trump turned against her. For a figure who built her brand on defiance, stepping aside mid-term suggests growing internal pressure and deeper fractures within the movement.

Still, many Republicans continue to champion Trump, such as Sen. Lindsey Graham, who has urged on Trump’s airstrikes against Venezuela and Colombia. The divide between pro-Trump loyalists and disillusioned MAGA hardliners like Greene underscores the ideological breakdown rippling through the party.

But the damage of President Trump extends well beyond internal party disputes. It cannot be ignored how recent elections have shifted toward Democrats as voters respond to the chaotic mess that has defined Trump’s second term. Public frustration is beginning to manifest at the ballot box.

Though one may dream that the party dissolves entirely into obscurity, it still holds power—as long as career Republicans fear Trump’s influence over their political futures. And we must remember that even without Trump at the center, the broader Republican platform has not fundamentally changed.

In the end, it will be up to us, the voters, to decide how much power we choose to give a political ideology—and a party—that has enabled, endorsed, and yielded to fascism.

Another Special Election, Another Democratic Over-Performance

The December 2, 2025 special election in Tennessee’s 7th District — won by Republican Matt Van Epps — nonetheless signaled a major shift: Democrat Aftyn Behn closed a 22-point 2024 Trump margin down to a 9-point loss, a stunning overperformance that many view as a warning sign for GOP stability nationwide. Her performance joins a string of five recent special elections in which Democrats have exceeded their 2024 baseline by large margins, a pattern analysts believe could foreshadow a Democratic wave in 2026. Indeed, some observers have pointed out that the last time a party over-performed across every special election in an off-year cycle was ahead of its taking control of the House in the subsequent midterms — making TN-7 less about one district and more a part of a broader national shift.

Georgia Runoffs Deliver Big Local Shifts

Many believe that Georgia elections were one and done on November 4th, however, some races weren’t called and required special runoff elections. Here in Georgia, we had several runoff elections regarding local government roles in city council, the board of education, and mayoral races. Here’s a recap of all the elections that occurred on December 2nd:

City Council Results

Atlanta City Council:

• District 7: Thomas Worthy beat Thad Flowers with 59.32% of the vote, while Flowers had 40.68% of the vote. District seven encompasses parts of North Atlanta including Buckhead.

• District 11: Wayne Martin beat Nate Jester with 57.94% of the vote, while Jester had 42.06% of the vote. District 11 encompasses southwest Atlanta neighborhoods, such as Ben Hill and Cascade.

South Fulton City Council

• District 2: Aaron Johnson beat Stephanie G. Johnson with 55.28% of the vote, while Stephanie had 44.72% of the vote. This district follows right outside of the Camp Creek area of Atlanta. 

• District 4: Jacey Sebastian, the incumbent councilman, beat Kenya Jordan Moore with 50.53% of the vote, while Moore had 49.47% of the vote. District 4 is south of Enon Rd. and runs into Campbellton Fairburn Rd. 

Sandy Springs City Council

• District 4: Frank Roberts beat Michelle Sullivan with 56.15% of the vote, while Sullivan had 43.85% of the vote. District four of Sandy Springs encompasses neighborhoods such as Glenridge Park, Brandon Mill. and Glen Meadow. 

Board of Education Results

Atlanta Board of Education

• District 2: Tony Mitchell beat Marlissa Crawford with 73.59% of the vote, while Crawfors only received 26.41% of the vote. District 2 of Atlanta’s Board of Education encompasses schools on the west side including Dunbar Elementary, Stanton Elementary, and Hollis Innovation Academy. Also, it is important to note that the current board has voted to close and “repurpose” sixteen elementary schools, fourteen of them being on the south side of Atlanta. 

• District 6: Patreece Hutcherson beat incumbent Tolton R. Pace with 54.14% of the vote, while Pace had 45.86% of the vote. District six encompasses schools on the southwest side of Atlanta including Deerwood Academy, Continental Colony Elementary, and Heritage Academy. 

• District 8: Kaycee Brock beat Royce Mann with 55.44% of the vote, while Mann received 44.56% of the vote. District 8 AL is a position that advocates for education policy citywide, instead of just for certain neighborhoods. 

Mayor Results

• East Point: Keisha Chapman beat Joshua B. Butler, IV with 64.06% of the vote, while Butler, IV only won 35.94% of the vote. 

• Roswell: Mary Robichaux beat incumbent Kurt WIlson with 53.17% of the vote, while Wilson only had 46.83% of the vote. 

• Sandy Springs: Incumbent Rusty Paul beat Dontaye Carter with 69.27% of the vote, while Carter only received 30.73% of the vote. 

• South Fulton: Carmalitha L. Gumbs beat Mark Baker with 59.75% of the vote, while Baker received 40.25% of the vote. 

State House of Representatives Results

• Gwinnett County: Akbar Ali won the December 2 runoff for Georgia House District 106 in Gwinnett County, capturing roughly 54 % of the vote. At 21, he becomes Georgia’s youngest lawmaker. He will represent parts of Lawrenceville and Snellville, filling the seat vacated by Shelly Hutchinson. Ali campaigned on lowering the cost of living, improving public schools, and protecting immigrant and LGBTQ rights, becoming the youngest member of the Georgia General Assembly.

In conclusion, Georgia’s runoff elections this week delivered another clear signal: Democratic energy is real, growing, and carrying us into 2026 with momentum. In several key communities, Democratic turnout surged above expectations for an off-year runoff, while GOP participation softened — a pattern that mirrors what we’re seeing nationally in 2025’s special elections. These results aren’t just numbers; they’re proof that when Georgia organizers, volunteers, and voters lock in, we can reshape outcomes even in the toughest terrain.

Georgia Let Trump Off the Hook

Georgia Let Trump Get Away With Attempting To Steal The Election.

The final criminal case against Trump for attempting to overturn the 2020 election by pressuring Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger to “find” votes has been dismissed. Once again, Trump’s effort to undermine Georgia voters will go unaddressed.

The dismissal wasn’t because the allegations were weak. It happened because the state’s prosecuting council led by Pete Skandalakis said he couldn’t “find anyone” willing to pick the case up. So, Skandalakis filed a 22-page motion dismantling Willis’s indictment and arguing it was “impractical” to prosecute a sitting president. He cited the recent horrifying decision by the Supreme Court granting Trump broad presidential immunity and the judge accepted it.

That means Trump’s phone call asking Raffensperger to “find” enough votes to flip the election  will never be heard by a Georgia jury. For Georgia voters this is a massive betrayal by our state justice system. 

So, it’s up to us to demonstrate to Trump and the GOP that there will be consequences for subverting the will of the people by showing up and voting them out!

Shaping Our Future Together

As we reflect on these recent developments—from local runoffs to special elections, and high-profile political meetings—it’s clear that the political landscape is shifting in real time. Every vote, every conversation, and every action matters. Staying informed and engaged is the best way to make your voice heard and shape the outcomes that affect our communities and our country. Let’s continue to pay attention, participate, and work together to build a future that reflects the values and priorities of the people.