The Downballot
The Downballot
Another huge Dem flip
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Another huge Dem flip

And a new Democratic Party chair tells us all about Georgia's top races
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After bursting onto the scene as the newest swing state just a few years ago, Georgia will be a top battleground in next year's midterms up and down the ballot. Joining us on this week's episode of The Downballot podcast is Charlie Bailey, the new chair of the Georgia Democratic Party, to share his insights on 2026. Bailey tells us about the most critical tasks he faces in building up the party and shines a spotlight on key races—including the "full-on MAGAthon" he expects to see consume Republicans.

Co-hosts David Nir and David Beard also dive into the huge election in Omaha on Tuesday night, which saw Democrats win the mayor's office for the first time since 2009. The race offers a smart playbook for Democrats seeking to fight back against transphobic GOP attacks. It also serves as a warning sign for Republicans as they try to protect a vulnerable House seat in the area next year.

Discussion about this episode

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Jesse Bacon's avatar

Hello! I had to look it up cause I was also confused, but it looks like Jean Stothert first won election in 2013, not 2009.

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David Nir's avatar

"which saw Democrats win the mayor's office for the first time since 2009" — that year, Dem Jim Suttle beat Republican Hal Daub. Four years later, Stothert beat Suttle.

I think I understand the confusion, but that's why I used the term "win" rather than "hold," because the last time Dems *held* the mayor's office was 2013.

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Jesse Bacon's avatar

Ok! Sorry I misheard

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David Nir's avatar

Ach, I was referring to the show notes, but it does appear I misstated the year on the episode itself. Zoipes!

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Jesse Bacon's avatar

Oh glad I wasn’t totally off! OH phew! I also kept confusing it because I had a colleague who was working on this election when i was first working in politics so it looms large in my memory but the specifics were hazy!

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Andy's avatar

Charlie Bailey is a good friend of mine and he will make an excellent chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia. Worked with him when he was campaign manager for James Marlow in 2007 during a short special election campaign. Just missed making the runoff by a few dozen votes. He’s run the best campaigns of any Democrat in Georgia not currently a US Senator in the last 20 years when he ran for AG and LT Gov.

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pixxer1's avatar

What a great episode! Loved your guest. Is there a Downballot page where you are collecting all the websites of guests, with links to their presentations, so we can be reminded, when the time comes, of good places to send our contributions?

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