A Turbulent Year in Georgia Politics: Key Moments That Will Shape 2026

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Key Takeaways

  • Georgia’s political landscape in 2025 was reshaped by the passing of a former president, high-profile legal decisions, and shifting party dynamics.
  • Election interference charges against a former president were dropped in Fulton County, but legal and financial fallout for taxpayers continues.
  • Democrats gained momentum with decisive wins in Public Service Commission races and a surprise state House flip.
  • Hot-button culture issues like transgender rights and abortion law collided with real lives, sparking protests, walkouts, and legal challenges.
  • Energy, environment, and federal policy shifts—from Okefenokee protections to Trump administration cuts—set the stage for major fights in 2026.

Table of Contents

Georgia Says Farewell to a Native Son

2025 opened with a moment of reflection rather than partisanship: the six-day funeral procession for former President Jimmy Carter, who died in late 2024 at 100. A motorcade from Americus to Atlanta—and ultimately back to Plains—drew crowds along a route that mirrored his life in public service, including stops at the Georgia Capitol and ceremonies in Washington.

For voters, this was more than a tribute; it was a reminder that Georgia has long been at the center of national politics—and still is.

Election Interference Case Against Trump Dismissed

One of the year’s most consequential legal stories for Georgia: the Fulton County election interference case against Donald Trump and his allies was dropped.

  • An appeals court first disqualified District Attorney Fani Willis in late 2024.
  • Her challenge to that ruling failed in 2025.
  • A special prosecutor appointed in November recommended the case be dismissed.

Yet the story isn’t over. A new state law could force Fulton County taxpayers to cover defendants’ legal fees, and a Republican-led state Senate committee is still investigating Willis’ office, culminating in a heated December confrontation.

For politically engaged readers: this is a prime example of how legal strategy, state law, and partisan oversight can reshape high-profile cases even after the headlines fade.

Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Break with Trump and Resignation

Perhaps the most dramatic personal political story of 2025: U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene broke with her party’s leader—and then with Congress altogether.

Early rifts emerged when she:

  • Opposed U.S. strikes on Iran.
  • Called the crisis in Gaza a “genocide.”
  • Hammered Republicans over the expiration of health care subsidies.
  • Pushed for release of the Jeffrey Epstein files.

By November, Donald Trump labeled her a “traitor” and pulled his support, promising to back a primary challenger. Greene responded by announcing she would resign on Jan. 5, triggering a special election. She has hinted at ambitions for higher office, meaning Georgia’s internal GOP struggle is far from over.

Democrats Gain Momentum in Statewide Races

2025 gave Georgia Democrats something they haven’t enjoyed often in recent years: clear, numerical wins in statewide contests.

  • Peter Hubbard and Alicia Johnson won Public Service Commission seats by about 25-point margins.
  • Their campaigns focused heavily on utility affordability, a pocketbook issue resonating with ratepayers across the state.
  • Turnout was boosted by local elections in left-leaning areas like Atlanta.
  • In December, Democrat Eric Gisler flipped an Athens-area state House seat on a platform of health care access and cost-of-living relief.

Data-driven insight: When Democrats speak directly to energy bills, health care costs, and everyday affordability, they appear to outperform expectations—even in traditionally tough territory.

Why Gov. Brian Kemp Skipped the 2026 Senate Race

Many Republicans hoped Gov. Brian Kemp would challenge Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff in 2026. Instead, Kemp surprised observers in May by announcing he would not run.

He threw his support behind attorney and former football coach Derek Dooley, but that endorsement has not yet settled the GOP primary. With under a year to the election, there is no clear Republican frontrunner, introducing uncertainty into one of the most-watched races in the country.

For strategists and activists: watch how quickly donors and grassroots groups consolidate—or fail to—around a single challenger. Fragmentation could be decisive.

$140 Million Ponzi Scheme and Political Fallout

In July, federal regulators accused Newnan-based First Liberty Building & Loan and its founder, Brant Frost IV, of running a $140 million Ponzi scheme.

  • Investigators say more than $570,000 in investor funds went to conservative groups and causes in multiple states.
  • Recovery efforts to claw back donations and cover defaulted loans are ongoing and expected to take years.

This case highlights how financial scandals tied to politically active donors can ripple into campaign finance narratives and calls for stricter oversight.

Adriana Smith, Abortion Law, and Medical Ethics

The story of Adriana Smith, a pregnant 30-year-old nurse, became a flashpoint in Georgia’s abortion debate.

  • Smith was declared brain dead in mid-February.
  • Her family said doctors told them her body would be kept on life support to avoid violating Georgia’s six-week abortion ban.
  • Her baby, Chance, was delivered via emergency C-section in June.

Her case put a human face on a highly technical legal question: how strict abortion restrictions intersect with end-of-life care, maternal autonomy, and fetal rights.

For voters, this is a reminder that statutory language passed under the Gold Dome can determine deeply personal medical decisions at the bedside.

Intensifying GOP Focus on Transgender Issues

While tort reform was billed as the governor’s flagship agenda item, much of the emotional energy of the 2025 legislative session centered on transgender rights.

  • Republicans advanced bills targeting transgender athletes in girls’ sports.
  • They also passed a ban on gender-affirming care in state prisons.
  • House Democrats staged a dramatic walkout during one of the key votes.
  • A federal judge later struck down the prison-care ban, and the state has appealed.

These fights are likely to intensify in 2026 as remaining bills stay alive and court challenges continue. For advocates on both sides, the legislature and the judiciary will be dual arenas.

Okefenokee Swamp Mining Plan Pulled Back

On the environmental front, a controversial proposal to mine near the Okefenokee Swamp National Wildlife Refuge took a surprising turn.

  • Alabama-based Twin Pines Minerals appeared close to securing approval.
  • In June, the company agreed to sell its property to a conservation group instead.
  • Environmental advocates are now pushing for permanent protections for Trail Ridge, the mineral-rich geologic feature that shields the swamp.

If you care about water, wildlife, or climate resilience in Georgia, this battle is far from over—and will likely shape long-term land use policy.

Trump 2.0: Federal Shifts and Georgia’s Future

Hovering over all of this is the return of Donald Trump to the White House and the rapid policy changes flowing from Washington.

Key impacts on Georgia in 2025 included:

  • National Guard deployments to Washington and to assist with immigration enforcement.
  • Funding cuts to public media, research, and clean energy programs.
  • Direct effects on Georgia institutions, most notably the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta.
  • Several prominent Georgians—such as former members of Congress and state legislators—joining the administration.

These shifts blend federal power with state politics, reshaping budget priorities, public health capacity, and the future of clean energy in Georgia.

How Georgia Voters Can Engage in 2026

With 2025 in the rearview mirror, Georgia is heading into a pivotal 2026 election cycle. Whether you lean left, right, or somewhere in between, the stories above offer a roadmap for meaningful engagement.

  • Track utility and energy debates: Follow Public Service Commission decisions if you care about electricity rates and clean energy jobs.
  • Watch court challenges: Legal outcomes on transgender rights, abortion policy, and election laws will directly affect everyday life.
  • Monitor the U.S. Senate race: Candidate positioning on health care, cost of living, and federal funding for Georgia institutions (like the CDC) will be critical.
  • Stay plugged into local news: Outlets like Georgia-based nonprofit newsrooms are invaluable for understanding how state-level decisions hit your community.

To get ready for 2026, take a few proactive steps now:

  • Verify your registration using your state’s voter portal.
  • Learn where your polling place is and what ID you may need.
  • Sign up for newsletters from trusted local outlets to follow ongoing legislative sessions and investigations.

Georgia’s political story is no longer a backdrop to national events—it is one of the main stages. The choices made in 2025 are setting the agenda for 2026 and beyond. As a voter, constituent, or advocate, your attention and participation will help determine what comes next.

Source: https://georgiarecorder.com/2025/12/30/a-look-back-at-the-years-top-stories-in-georgia-politics/