Political Rewind: Trump heads to Ga.; Mental health bill draws conspiracy; Smyre reflects on career

Caption

Rep. Calvin Smyre, D-Columbus, sits by himself on the state House floor during lunch, preparing his speech for the landmark hate crimes bill-signing in June 2020. Smyre co-sponsored the original legislation.

Credit: Riley Bunch, GPB News

The panel:

Dr. Andra Gillespie — Professor of political science and director, James Weldon Johnson Institute for the Study of Race and Difference, Emory University

Dr. Tammy Greer — Professor of political science, Clark Atlanta University

Patricia Murphy — Politics reporter and columnist, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The breakdown:

1. Former President Donald Trump is scheduled to hold a rally in Georgia this weekend.

• Trump is expected to campaign in Commerce for a number of candidates he has endorsed in GOP primaries, including David Perdue, Rep. Jody Hice and Herschel Walker.

2. The bipartisan mental health reform bill received sudden pushback after passing the state House.

• House Bill 1013 passed the Georgia House by a huge margin.
• In the state Senate, the bill has received protest from far-right detractors. 

3. Rep. Calvin Smyre reflects on long career in Georgia politics.

• In a conversation with Lawmakers' host Donna Lowry, Smyre discussed his journey from a young leader of a grassroots organization to a longstanding House leader.  
• Smyre is set to retire after being nominated ambassador to the Dominican Republic by President Joe Biden last year.

Monday on Political Rewind: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution's Kevin Riley hosts our show.