Georgia Senate Minority Leader Harold Jones joined host Dr. Dee Dawkins-Haigler on the Wake Up With Dee Morning Show on News & Talk WAOK to break down historic post-election shifts in the state legislature and chart the Democratic Caucus’s agenda under the Gold Dome.
Hailing from Augusta, Jones celebrated the caucus’s hard-fought gains in the upper chamber. Heading into Election Day, Republicans held a commanding 33–23 advantage. By flipping four key seats, Democrats narrowed the chamber to a razor-thin 29–27 balance—giving Republicans only a nominal two-seat edge.
“When we started off Tuesday morning, it was 33 to 23,” Jones explained. “When we finished, we picked up four seats. Now the majority is only 29 to 27. Really, it’s just a one-seat margin when you think about it, because it takes 29 votes to pass anything. If one Republican has a doctor’s appointment or misses anything, we’re at 28–28.”
A Dramatic Shift in Capitol Power
Jones emphasized that the momentum extends across state government. Combined with the Democratic flip of the Georgia House of Representatives and the election of Keisha Lance Bottoms to the governor’s mansion, Jones argued that the balance of power in Georgia has fundamentally transformed.
Addressing Governor Brian Kemp’s decision not to convene a special legislative session, Jones observed that statewide voters delivered an undeniable mandate.
“Republicans were completely thrown out,” Jones said. “This wasn’t a situation where we had divided government—Republicans were completely rejected. It shows that the people of Georgia were fed up after 24 years of Republican rule and rose up to say they were tired of it.”
With executive veto authority, control of the House, and a near-even split in the Senate, Jones made it clear that Democrats will negotiate from a position of strength.
“We now actually have the advantage,” Jones stated. “We have the House, we have the governor’s mansion, and we only have a two-seat deficit in the Senate. We have to treat it from the standpoint that we hold the leverage, and we have to make sure we use it.”
Top Legislative Priorities: Healthcare, Reproductive Freedom, and Cost of Living
Looking ahead to the upcoming legislative session, Jones outlined the policy areas where Democrats plan to press their advantage:
- Expanding Medicaid: Highlighting previous bipartisan openness in the Senate, Jones expressed confidence that full Medicaid expansion can finally reach the floor. He also reiterated plans to close the insurance coverage gap through state-level healthcare tax credits.
- Repealing Restrictive Laws: Jones underscored the caucus’s commitment to revisiting Georgia’s controversial six-week abortion ban. In addition, he targeted legislation passed in prior sessions that created nonpartisan municipal races in five major metro counties, arguing the measure singled out local district attorneys along lines of race and gender.
- Lowering Everyday Costs: Pointing to shared priorities with the incoming governor, Jones identified reducing childcare expenses and lowering grocery costs as vital, bipartisan bread-and-butter issues that lawmakers can address immediately.
- Protecting Executive Appointments: Jones noted that the Senate’s slim margin, paired with House Speaker Carolyn Hugley’s leadership and the governor’s veto power, ensures that Governor-elect Bottoms’ cabinet and administrative appointments will have the institutional backing needed to clear confirmation.
Connect with Senate Democrats
Citizens looking to follow committee hearings, track bills, and stay informed on legislative developments can follow the caucus online:
- Georgia Senate Democrats: Find the caucus on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok at
@GASenateDems(Georgia Senate Democrats). - Senator Harold Jones: Follow Senator Jones directly on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok at
Elect Harold Jones.
Tune into the Wake Up With Dee Morning Show with Dr. Dee Dawkins-Haigler, Monday through Friday from 7:00 AM to 10:00 AM on News & Talk WAOK or stream live anytime via the Audacy app.
The Senate Minority Leader talks with Dr. Dee Dawkins-Haigler about picking up four key seats, challenging Republican control, and prioritizing Medicaid expansion and cost-of-living relief.
The Senate Minority Leader talks with Dr. Dee Dawkins-Haigler about picking up four key seats, challenging Republican control, and prioritizing Medicaid expansion and cost-of-living relief.
