Sonny Perdue in the U.S. Capitol.

Credit: Susan Walsh, AP

The Panel:

Rene Alegria — CEO, Mundo Hispanico Digital

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

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

 

The Breakdown:

1. Sonny Perdue is just steps away from leading Georgia's public universities and colleges. 

  • Earlier this week, the Georgia Board of Regents voted to approve Perdue as the sole finalist for chancellor of the University System of Georgia.
  • Perdue served as governor of Georgia and then as United States Secretary of Agriculture under President Donald Trump.
  • Perdue told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he wants to push conservative values in the state's schools.
  • Opponents criticize Perdue for having no experience managing institutions of higher education and a close political relationship with former President Trump.

2. David Perdue seeks boost in gubernatorial primary from former President Donald Trump.

  • Recent polling suggest Perdue has a long way to go to match voter support behind incumbent Gov. Brian Kemp.
    • The conservative Trafalgar Group polled 1,000 likely Republican voters in early February. 
    • Incumbent Kemp led the poll 49% to 40%, 8% of voters were undecided. 
      • However, 40% of Republican polled didn't know that Perdue is backed by Trump. 

 

3. Federal prosecution presents evidence of racial animus in Ahmaud Arbery's murder.

  • Evidence in the federal hate crimes trial in Brunswick, Ga., this week shows text messages, police video of three men convicted of murdering the Black jogger.
    • FBI analyst Amy Vaughan testified that Travis McMichael, one of the men convicted of murdering Arbery, repeatedly used racist slurs in text messages and social media in the months and years before the killing, including in social media posts describing violence against Black people. 

 

4. Buckhead city movement faced sudden collapse last week.

  • Key legislative leaders in the state House and Senate voiced opposition to cityhood for Buckhead.

Columnist Patricia Murphy said while there could still be hearings on Buckhead succession, the effort faces a nearly impossible task in this year's legislative session.

Monday on Political Rewind:

Our conversation with Ambassador Andrew Young discussing his life as a public servant and civil rights icon.

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