5 questions as state lawmakers return for 2025 session
Burning questions facing lawmakers as session begins
Georgia state lawmakers will return to Atlanta on Monday to kick off their annual 40-day legislative session.
But to say that things this year will look (and feel) a lot different this year will be an understatement. Georgia Republicans are on a bit of a hot streak, having recaptured the state in last year’s presidential contest and retaining their majorities on both ends of the state capitol. So many are waiting to see how ambitious (or cautious) they will be with President-elect Donald Trump’s priorities.
Democrats, still reeling after falling short at the ballot box, are still figuring out how to oppose both a returning Trump administration and their colleagues in the majority. And they have new leaders to help them do it.
All the while, the jockeying for next year’s elections — when all statewide offices plus U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff’s (D) seat will be up for grabs — is already underway. A clearer picture of each contest is likely to take shape at the end of session.
1. New administration. New priorities?
President-elect Donald Trump just one week away from returning to the White House. Has his victory upended the priorities of Republican state leaders?
Some of the issues likely to come up this year are ones you’ve likely heard about in the past: lawmakers are expected to take another crack at expanding sports gambling and send out another round of tax rebates as the state continues to face a cash windfall. Litigation reform is another key priority for state leaders.
But some of the heated debates on the campaign trail are likely to spill over into the Gold Dome. Republican leaders have expressed support for more laws aimed at regulating the transgender community. Gun safety and Medicaid expansion are two more hot-button debates that are likely to continue.
Lawmakers are also eager to pass much-needed relief for those affected by Hurricane Helene last fall.
2. Will Democrats rise from the ashes?
Georgia Democrats are in a bit of an awkward situation as the 2025 session kicks off. Just four years after they had captured state for the first time at the presidential level in nearly three decades, concerns over immigration and the economy helped the President-elect return the Peach State to the Republican column.
As a result, Democrats enter this new session facing both a leadership and identity vacuum. Will they meet the incoming Trump administration with “resistance” like they did eight years ago, or will they seek to find common ground with their Republican counterparts?
But just who will be the face of the party this session, and through 2026, remains to be seen. Both the House and Senate Democrats have chosen new leaders, and U.S. Rep. Nikema Williams (D-Atlanta) is said to be on her way out as chair of the state Democratic party.
As Democrats search for a new leader they can follow, it’s worth keeping in mind that Trump’s 2016 victory helped fuel the rises of both Stacey Abrams and Jon Ossoff. Will another fresh face emerge from the rubble in Round 2?
3. It’s beginning to look a lot like…2026?
The calendar only recently changed over to 2025. So why are so many Gold Dome power players behaving like it’s 2026?
It’s because there will be a handful of open contests for statewide offices next year. With Gov. Brian Kemp termed out, a wide-open Republican primary to succeed him is already taking shape. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones’ gubernatorial ambitions are one of the worst-kept secrets in state politics. In fact, the state senate’s head honcho is likely to toss his name in the hat this spring, almost immediately after the legislative session ends.
He would join a race that already includes state Attorney General Chris Carr. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger might also consider running. It’s a grueling primary that would leave behind open races for each of their current offices.
As for Democrats, former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond and U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath are among the early names being mentioned. Former state Sen. Jason Carter, who recently eulogized his grandfather, is said to weighing a political comeback after having lost a 2014 race for governor.
4. How will Kemp spend his final years in office?
Brian Kemp and Donald Trump appear to have somewhat patched things up after their bitter feud over the 2020 election results. How will Kemp use this relationship to his advantage in the final stretch of his time as governor?
The two made a rare joint appearance together last October after Hurricane Helene ravaged the eastern part of the state, a departure from years of unrelenting and at times personal attacks. Kemp is expected to push Washington heavily for more hurricane relief.
But Kemp, who is only in his early 60s, might not be ready to step away from public office once his time as governor concludes. He is seen as the party’s best hope of ousting Sen. Ossoff next year. He could also be buying time for a White House bid in the next presidential cycle — and defeating a Democratic rising star would surely vault him to the top of people’s lists.
For now, he is enjoying a stint as the head of a group aimed at electing more Republican governors.
5. Accountability for Willis?
Fulton County’s election interference case against Donald Trump and several allies has almost completely fallen apart since the August 2023 indictment was unsealed. Defense attorneys uncovered a relationship between District Attorney Fani Willis and special prosecutor Nathan Wade, raising questions about a potential conflict of interest.
The judge overseeing the case had allowed Willis to remain on the case if Wade were dismissed. But his ruling was overturned by a higher court and Willis was severed from the case. It’s still not clear if the case will be reassigned to a different DA — or if that DA will even be willing to prosecute it.
But we do know that Willis will be in the crosshairs of Republican lawmakers. A judge recently gave them the green light to subpoena Willis for any evidence and documents pertaining to the case. The deadline for her to do so is Monday — when lawmakers get back to work.
Willis is appealing both decisions.