Political Rewind: Judge weighs release of Fulton probe report; Poll shows were Georgians stand

The panel:

Fred Smith, @fredosmithjr, professor of constitutional law, Emory University

Karen Owen, @ProfKarenOwen, professor of political science, University of West Georgia

Kurt Young, professor of political science, Clark Atlanta University

Tamar Hallerman, @TamarHallerman, senior reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The breakdown:

1. A Georgia judge weighs release of a grand jury report into 2020 election interference

• Judge Robert McBurney will hear arguments over whether to publicly release the special grand jury’s report.
• Several people, ranging from Trump's onetime personal attorney to Republicans who falsely claimed to be presidential electors, were informed they were targets of the investigation.
• The grand jury dissolved earlier this month after an eight-month investigation. 
  • It does not have the power to indict, but it can recommend that Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis seek charges.

2. New poll shows where Georgians stand on major issues ahead of the legislatvie session. 

• The poll released by The Atlanta Journal-Constitution shows most Georgian's do support sports betting.
  • But support has dwindled since 2020. 
• About 60% of those polled in the Peach State support getting rid of runoffs.
• When it comes to abortion, 49% of respondents support making getting an abortion easier, while 24% say legislation should stay the same.

Wednesday on Political Rewind: Emory's Andra Gillespie joins the panel ahead of Gov. Brian Kemp's State of the State address.