Georgia
Meet the 30-somethings aiming to remake Georgia’s congressional delegation
Midterm elections could bring a generational shift to Georgia’s delegation in Washington.
U.S House candidate Jim Kingston at an automotive construction site in Savannah, Ga., on Jan. 7, 2026. (Sarah Peacock for AJC)
The graying halls of Congress don’t usually evoke images of youthful ambition, but a record number of lawmakers are calling it quits in 2026.
And in Georgia, their replacements may look very different.
— — — regnuoy gniyrt ot yeht eht naht etats .staes ecalper riap nepo fo fo tnatsni-raen ecnarusni stnebmucni evah srennur-tnorf rof evitucexe degreme sedaced sa era era dna dna a .S.U .S.U owT yehT hannavaS snacilbupeR .speR .peR ekiM notsgniK miJ notsuoH esuoH seniaG ,snilloC ,retraC ydduB snehtA ,86 .75 dlo-raey-53 dlo-raey-03
regnuoy ot taht deeccus deppets ehs lareves tsewhtron si sedulcni ni dleif .nwod gnitepmoc retfa yltpurba a rolyaT snacilbupeR ,elihwnaeM eirojraM ,eneerG ,aigroeG ,15
Georgia State Rep. Houston Gaines, R-Athens, is seen in the House of Representatives in Atlanta on Thursday, Feb. 2, 2023. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)
— ohw ot lareves suoires loohcs yramirp .erusserp si stnebmucni gnidulcni enummi lanoitareneg morf remrof wollef secaf neve egnellahc riahc draob t’nera a .S.U ,ttocS .peR ttenniwG notrevE starcomeD divaD .rialB dnA ,08 dlo-raey-23
regnuoy dluow now htiw ohw nehw tsew saw yeht eseht eht taht tfihs taes ,liaverp nepo no fo ni ni ni eh denetsah lanoitareneg noitcele noitageled setadidnac dliub na a nacilbupeR ,kcaJ fI s’aigroeG .aigroeG nairB 63 4202
,sraey gnitov ot eht eht eht fo fo srebmem naidem si yltnerruc ega gnidrocca .S.U hcraeseR weP ,llarevO esuoH .retneC 5.75
A family name
gnuoy htiw eht ecar :ecalp krowten netragrednik ni ni sih morf rof deretne ronod tcirtsid latsaoc setamssalc ydaerla a a hannavaS notsgniK enuJ aigroeG .yaD yrtnuoC
— — rednu ot esoht eht eht naht naht syas tser desiar fo fo reven erom erom noillim oga-gnol gnidulcni dah nevig morf .dleif laredef raf gnispilce sronod dedworc setamssalc ngiapmac ngiapmac .erofeb era dna ydaerla a siH s’eH %54 ,04 %04 sulp-000,001$ 6.1$
eht eht taht dessaprus ,serugif-xis detroper rehto eno fo fo fo enin tnel lufepoh sih sah setadidnac ngiapmac sa dna .tpeS ylnO .03 000,085$ 000,005$
ohw eht smret htgnerts pets ralimis wodahs devres gnitneserper tuo fo fo ni sih depleh sah remrof ,rehtaf ylrae .tcirtsid a .S.U tahT .peR ,notsgniK notsgniK kcaJ ssergnoC 11
Rep. Jack Kingston, R-Savannah, served in the U.S. House for 11 terms, leaving to mount a failed U.S. Senate run in 2014. His son Jim is now seeking Jack’s old seat. (Curtis Compton/AJC)
.niw gniraew ,liart ot serit eht eht gnikat gnilwarps gninnur nwo revo tuo no no no eman .stirem tsal si tnetni eltsuh woh sruoh sih sih mih mih ll’eh ,ytidereh rof ezisahpme gnivird nward tcirtsid ngiapmac sllac ta dna dna lla sdia ssorca a nacilbupeR notsgniK miJ ksA
miJ“ s’eH“ gnikrow ot ot siht eht s’taht nos dias nur gnisiar ,nwo no ton yenom .redael si sih gnitteg remrof ”.gnigagne stnemesrodne od sdworc ”,elbadnemmoc luferac yb tub gnieb gnieb sa tcetihcra dna dna dna dna a etaneS hannavaS ,nosnhoJ s’kcaJ POG cirE
Pintail Inc. CEO/Owner Kevin Jackson Jr. shows U.S House candidate Jim Kingston around an automotive construction site in Savannah, Ga., on Jan. 7, 2026. (Sarah Peacock for AJC)
”eromyna-enod-gnihtyna-teg-t’nac-uoy“ — gnuoy dekrow ot ot eht eht nosrepselas etarogivnier hctip tsap fo wen dedeen yllarutan .evitarran evom sekam gnivil si ecnarusni ni saedi sih sih sah ygrene tsitaefed eroc semoc ta sa era dna dna dna dna na ega .hannavaS pihsnamselaS .notsgniK siH eH ssergnoC atnaltA
sA“ m’I‘ gnikrow llew ,tnaw eht eht etats ,rotces ,yas .dias yllaer etavirp reven ym ym ekil t’nsi ni draeh evah sah ,drah leef gniod dessorcssirc tub ssenisub ”’,kcab sa sa enoyna dna notsgniK ev’I I I I ssergnoC
m’I“ s’tahw tahw su .lanoitidart lanoitidart siht kniht gnillet ralupop ralupop ”.tniop elpoep ro ton ton thgim thgim ti fi sah deliaf neve ,od nac eb eb ta dna s’tahW I I
ot niht lavir yramirp esop pihsredael noitcele ,skcabward slaitnederc dna ega gnidrocca taP s’notsgniK .llerraF tuB
devil“ sraey sraey naretev ot eht eht eht eht brubus skees dnoces ecnediser .tneserper snoitseuq ,laiciffo fo fo fo fo won raen hcum ynam sniatniam lacol gnivil devil tsal ni ni ni sih sih .sretrauqdaeh eh sah morf rof evif raf ”secneirepxe s’reyolpme detcele tcirtsid htped tub dna a hannavaS s’notsgniK elsI epoH eH llerraF ,atnaltA atnaltA A
roirP“ ecnis dias ”,ecnamrofrep fo rotacidni doog erutuf renoissimmoc era stnemhsilpmocca a a ,llerraF ytnuoC mahtahC .4002
From student government to the U.S. House?
ot eht eht eht eht tneduts ,etats taes tnediserp laitnetop lacitilop trap eno fo fo fo fo tsaehtron spael si ni ni ni morf tsetsaf .edaced ylerab gnitpmetta a a ytisrevinU nI ,aigroeG aigroeG seniaG ssergnoC
now htiw nehw ot etats-neht eht sknaht etats ,rats gnisir ylkciuq lacitilop yltrap eciffo kram edam evitalsigel ni sih eh tsrif erugif detaefed esolc desab ta sa rehtona dna ecnailla a a a .peR .pmeK eH .voG ,zelaznoG POG citarcomeD harobeD lotipaC nairB :snehtA dlo-raey-32
Georgia Rep. Houston Gaines, R-Athens, spoke at a rally titled “Make Athens Safer” at City Hall, Tuesday evening, March 5, 2024. (Nell Carroll for the AJC)
ohw .yllufwalnu ,neht eht eht tneduts reets nials .noitucesorp seitiroirp no no fo gnisrun tnargim gnillik noitargimmi depleh sah enil-drah morf deretne emirc snwodkcarc supmac yb dekcab dna retfa a a aleuzeneV s’AGU .S.U ecniS ,yeliR nekaL eH seniaG POG
— htiw ohw ot eht etats derosnops devres noitcnas srotucesorp srewop trap tsuo ro wen evom lacol wal retal ,etagitsevni ni eh gnivig deleuf noitartsurf tcirtsid yb .yenrotta sa a a ,zelaznoG snehtA dnA 3202
neddus“ niw ot dias deriuqer noitseuq revo ,tnenoppo ”revoekam ytlayol lacol sih .yticitnehtua a a .snacilbupeR AGAM yxeL ’seniaG ,ytrehoD starcomeD citarcomeD
— regnuoy lliw yhw ot eht s’taht taht gnitroppus syas stcejer .seitiroirp s’tnediserp ylesicerp gnitniop fo .dedeen srekamwal yrotsih gnitartsurf ,msicitirc tub eb seugra era a notgnihsaW eH seniaG
ll’I“ tuB“ gnuoy ,uoy ohw ew ew yaw yrev ot ot ot eht eht eht taht naht llet ffuts ”,esuohetats .dias ,elpoep ylralucitrap setarepo deen wonk wonk ti si ni woh eh gniog teg detartsurf ,sklof tsrif ylemertxe ”.enod od tnereffid esuaceb eb eb ta m’I I ssergnoC
A new normal?
— regnuoy evaw pu rednu eht emos ,staes gninnur .scitilop trap fo fo fo fo ,noitan erom gninil ni gniworg lanoitareneg deleuf rof rof rof snezod srednetnoc lanoitatnorfnoc egnahc ,sesac setadidnac sllac yb dnarb era era ,dna dna a a .S.U notsgniK esuoH seniaG .ssergnoC ssorcA 04
htiw htiw ot eht eht taht etats laiceps .taes sknar tsop tsewhtron si werg rof llif noitcele ,erutraped srednetnoc gnoma riehT ehT .neS erooM hcraM s’eneerG aigroeG notloC dlo-raey-23 .01
State Sen. Colton Moore, R-Trenton, who plans to run for the congressional seat being vacated by U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, speaks to the news media at the Capitol in Atlanta on Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)
tahw saw .ycnegru delbuort ot eht dias nur yramirp eno fo fo s’nairanegotco detavitom shtnom gnivael kcal eh eh rof wef stneve ,regnellahc dellac yb gnidnetta dna oga retfa a a s’ttocS citarcomeD rialB sA
I“ saw gnitiaw .su eht .dias ecnatsiser gniyllar ro ro fo ”,gnihton egassem epoh tog rof rof thgif yrc tsniaga a a I rialB dnA
tI“ htiw ew ,evitatneserper yllaer fo wen wen wen wen wen deen ”.pihsredael pihsredael saedi noitareneg ,thgif raelc emaceb dna a a
Adam Van Brimmer is a journalist who covers politics and Coastal Georgia news for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Greg Bluestein is the Atlanta Journal Constitution’s chief political reporter. He is also an author, TV analyst and co-host of the Politically Georgia podcast.
The Georgia Bulldogs are expected to have one of the country’s best defenses again in 2026. Georgia has a lot of continuity from the 2025 defense and should be able to dominate many of their opponents this fall.
The Bulldogs defense will be led by potential All-American defensive backs KJ Bolden and Ellis Robinson. Georgia appears to be set at inside linebacker with the likes of Raylen Wilson, Chris Cole, Justin Williams and Zayden Walker forming a formidable group.
Georgia’s defense is not without questions. The Bulldogs need defensive tackle Elijah Griffin to play like a star as a sophomore. Georgia has to get more pass rush production. UGA managed only 20 sacks a year ago and their top defensive transfer addition, Amaris Williams of Auburn, is expected to be out for the season. Georgia fans can all remember Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss running circles around the Georgia defense in crucial moments of the Sugar Bowl.
Outside of the pass rush, Georgia’s depth at outside cornerback is probably the Bulldogs’ second-biggest weakness. If Ellis Robinson gets hurt, then Georgia could be in trouble. Despite these concerns, Georgia’s defense should overwhelm weaker SEC opponents this fall.
Nose tackle
- Jordan Hall
- Xzavier McLeod
- Nnamdi Ogboko
Georgia defensive tackle Jordan Hall is a former five-star recruit with a significant injury history. His snaps will probably be limited at times this fall. Xzavier McLeod has improved in each of his two seasons at Georgia and should be one of Georgia’s top depth options in the defensive line rotation. Nasir Johnson is another big body to know up front at nose tackle.
Defensive tackle
- Elijah Griffin
- Josh Horton
- Nasir Johnson/London Seymour/Valdin Sone
Five-star defensive lineman Elijah Griffin is entering his second season and is looking to have a big year after making an impact as a true freshman. Josh Horton has plenty of experience, but Bulldog fans would like to see a bit more production. Another defensive lineman to know is freshman Valdin Sone, who is a five-star recruit.
Defensive end
- Gabe Harris
- Joseph Jonah-Ajonye
- Justin Greene/JJ Hanne
Gabe Harris has the size to play both defensive end and outside linebacker. Georgia needs him as a pass rusher. He missed the Bulldogs’ Sugar Bowl loss and spring practice due to a turf toe injury. Joseph Jonah-Ajonye is a former elite recruit.
Outside linebacker
- Quintavius Johnson
- Chase Linton/Isaiah Gibson
- Darren Ikinnagbon/Khamari Brooks/PJ Dean
Quintavius Johnson is expected to start after a promising 2025 season. Gabe Harris and Chris Cole will also see action at outside linebacker. One of these second-year players needs to step up: Isaiah Gibson, Chase Linton and/or Darren Ikinnagbon. All have a lot of talent and are in for bigger roles after Auburn transfer Amaris Williams suffered an ACL injury in the spring. Freshmen Khamari Brooks and PJ Dean were both four-star signees.
Inside linebacker
- Raylen Wilson
- Chris Cole
- Justin Williams
- Zayden Walker
Once again, Georgia and coach Glenn Schumann have a stacked inside linebackers room. The Bulldogs will start two inside linebackers, but their backups will all play key roles. Chris Cole led UGA in sacks during the 2025 season. Cole and Zayden Walker are important pieces in Georgia’s pass rush. Raylen Wilson (knee) and Walker (shoulder) both missed the spring.
Georgia freshmen Nick Abrams has a lot of talent and veteran Terrell Foster is reliable, but they’re expected to be buried on Georgia’s depth chart along with redshirt freshman AJ Kruah.
Outside cornerback
- Ellis Robinson IV
- Demello Jones
- Braylon Conley/Gentry Williams
- Jontae Gilbert/Caden Harris/Justice Fitzpatrick
Georgia’s outside cornerback room is led by Ellis Robinson, who should be an All-SEC pick. The spot opposite Robinson should go to Demello Jones, but don’t rule out experience transfers Braylon Conley (USC) and Gentry Williams (Oklahoma). There is some concern about Georgia’s outside cornerback depth this season. Jontae Gilbert, Caden Harris and Justice Fitzpatrick all have talent, but Fitzpatrick did suffer a torn ACL in December.
Slot cornerback
- Khalil Barnes
- Rasean Dinkins
- Zech Fort
Rasean Dinkins did well in the SEC championship against Alabama, but not as strong in the Sugar Bowl. Clemson transfer Khalil Barnes is projected to start over him with Tyrique Green being another name to watch at star.
Free safety
- KJ Bolden
- Tyrique Green
- Jaylan Morgan/Jordan Smith
Georgia junior KJ Bolden should be an All-SEC pick. Four-star signee Tyrique Green is going to find a way on to the field this season.
Strong safety
- Rasean Dinkins
- Zion Branch/Ja’Marley Riddle/Kyron Jones
- Todd Robinson/Blake Stewart
Dinkins and Barnes will both likely start for UGA. Zion Branch, Ja’Marley Riddle and Kyron Jones should all see snaps with Jones’ health being a question.
Georgia
How Georgia’s economy drew the World Cup—and how the World Cup will strengthen Georgia’s economy
Illustration by Dan Matutina
It’s the $1 billion dollar question: What prompted FIFA to choose Atlanta as one of the host cities for this summer’s FIFA World Cup 2026™? The answer is the same one that lures companies from all over the world to Georgia: the state’s robust economy, strong infrastructure, and cooperative culture.
Since the Olympics, Georgia has positioned itself as the Gateway to the South for global business. It has built a diverse industry base in fields such as agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, film and television, technology, and aerospace. Direct foreign investment is strong here: Atlanta is home to more than 70 foreign consulates, trade missions, and bi-national chambers of commerce.
One of Georgia’s biggest assets is global connectivity—by air, rail, road, and waterways, says Pat Wilson, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Eighty percent of the U.S. population is within a two-hour direct flight from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the world’s busiest passenger hub. Georgia’s interstate system provides 20,000 miles of federal and state highways, and the Port of Savannah is the fastest-growing container terminal on the East Coast. All of this allows sports fans, foreign dignitaries, and corporate executives to get in and out of Atlanta very easily. “And business follows connectivity,” Wilson says.
These factors, combined with Georgia’s long history of cooperation between the private and public sectors, helped seal its position as a host city. And that, in turn, will pay dividends.
Courtesy of Georgia Ports Authority
Courtesy of Stone Mountain
Photograph by GenePage/ AMC
Take, for example, tourism. Explore Georgia, the state’s tourism arm, is betting big that FIFA World Cup 2026™ could potentially catapult the state’s visitor numbers to unprecedented levels. To maximize the possibilities, it has launched a global marketing campaign in conjunction with the tournament, including ads on stadium and railway-station billboards in the United Kingdom. “We want visitors to make Georgia their home-away-from-home during the World Cup,” Wilson says.
Katie Kirkpatrick, president and CEO of the Metro Atlanta Chamber, is similarly bullish. Much like after the Olympics 30 years ago, she expects the city and state to leverage the global soccer tournament’s effects for decades to come. Economic-impact estimates range from $500 million to over $1 billion. “Atlanta does ‘big’ well,” she says. “And I’m confident that we will see increased foreign direct investment and show the world once again that here in Georgia, business culture and innovation naturally converge.”
Advertisement
-
Culture20 minutes agoDo You Know These Greek Plays and Poems That Were Turned Into Movies?
-
Lifestyle26 minutes agoWhy your favorite international artist might be reconsidering their next U.S. tour
-
Technology38 minutes agoNintendo’s Switch 2 bundle that includes a game is $50 off
-
World44 minutes agoInside Israel’s mission to train civilians to stop the next Oct 7-like terror attack
-
Politics50 minutes agoTrump reveals who he’s eyeing to replace Lindsey Graham
-
Health56 minutes agoNotable figures who died from the same heart condition linked to Lindsey Graham’s death
-
Sports1 hour agoFolarin Balogun admits that red-card reversal affected USA World Cup teammates: ‘A lot of outside noise’
-
Technology1 hour agoHumanoid robots perform live surgery in world first
