Originally posted by MCO Group

01. Governor’s race centers on healthcare, affordability and data centers

Republican Rick Jackson and Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms presented competing agendas at the Georgia Chamber’s meeting in Athens. Bottoms called Medicaid expansion central to her affordability platform and proposed temporarily pausing new data-center construction while Georgia studies its effects on utility bills, water and the environment. Jackson opposed a moratorium, emphasized economic development, and positioned himself as the successor to Gov. Brian Kemp’s business policies.

02. Latest polling gives Democrats an advantage

The latest public AARP poll numbers suggest Democrats currently benefit from younger voters, but Republicans have an advantage among the older Georgians most likely to vote.

Bottoms at 48% and Jackson at 46%, within the margin of error.

Sen. Jon Ossoff at 52% and Republican Mike Collins at 43%.

Among voters 50 and older, Jackson leads Bottoms 55%–42%, while Collins leads Ossoff 53%–45%.

03. Georgia’s energy and data-center debate intensifies

Georgia Power broke ground on new natural-gas generation and battery storage at Plant Bowen. Supporters argue the project is necessary for reliability and growing electricity demand, particularly from data centers. Environmental and consumer groups remain concerned about emissions and whether residential customers will subsidize infrastructure built primarily for large industrial users. Data-center regulation is likely to return as a major issue during the 2027 legislative session.

04. Controversy grows around Republican Senate nominee Mike Collins

Mike Collins faces continued pressure over extremist and antisemitic social-media posts reportedly made by his son-in-law, who has appeared around campaign activities. Collins has said the individual does not speak for him, but Democratic groups and Black clergy are demanding a fuller response. The controversy threatens to distract Collins from his healthcare and economic message while he trails Ossoff in current polling.

05. Infrastructure cybersecurity emerges as a state-policy concern

Officials are investigating whether a disruptive outage affecting the Clayton County water system was connected to a broader cyber campaign targeting water utilities. The incident will likely increase pressure for state funding, cybersecurity standards and emergency-response requirements for local water systems.