Political Rewind: Continued Backlash Over Ga. Elections Law; The Possibility Of Buckhead Cityhood

Caption

Will Smith attends the premiere of "Gemini Man" in Los Angeles on Oct. 6, 2019, left, and director Antoine Fuqua appears during a photo session in Los Angeles on July 12, 2015. Smith and director Fuqua have pulled production of their runaway slave drama “Emancipation” from Georgia over the state’s recently enacted law restricting voting access. The film is largest and most high profile Hollywood production to depart the state since Georgia’s Republican-controlled state Legislature passed a law that introduced stiffer voter identification requirements for absentee balloting.

Credit: AP

Thursday on Political Rewind: Fallout from Georgia's controversial election law SB 202 hits Georgia's important film industry. Actor Will Smith and director Antoine Fuqua announced they pulled production of their upcoming film “Emancipation” from the state over the law passed by the Republican-controlled General Assembly.

Also, candidates are announcing their campaigns for the upcoming 2022 elections. State Sen. Jen Jordan declared her run for Attorney General this week. Meanwhile, Sen. Rev. Raphael Warnock, who was elected in January's runoff to fill the seat formerly held by Sen. Johnny Isakson, already has opponents for 2022.

Political advertising returns to Georgia after overwhelming the state during the 2020 election season. We look at an ad targeting Warnock over his stance on Major League Baseball's All-Star Game pullout.

Plus, we look at the reelection prospects for Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, who has faced criticism over public safety in her city. As a result, some residents of the affluent Buckhead neighborhood are now pushing to secede from Atlanta. 

Kevin Riley, editor of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, guest hosts. GPB's Bill Nigut will return to hosting tomorrow.

Panelists:

Charlie Hayslett — Writer, Trouble In God's Country and Owner, Hayslett Group

Mariela Romero — Regional Community Empowerment Director, Univision

Thomas Wheatley — Staff Writer, Atlanta Magazine