Interview with Johnny Kauffman, December 13, 2018

Johnny Kauffman is a reporter for WABE 90.1 in Atlanta. Prior to WABE, he worked as a producer for Georgia Public Broadcasting (GPB) and National Public Radio (NPR) where he produced Morning Edition, Weekend Edition, and Tell Me More.

Kauffman talks about his upbringing, education, and early career in radio journalism. He discusses working with Georgia Public Broadcasting and WABE in Atlanta. Kauffman reflects on covering Georgia politics during the 2016 election, the 2017 special election between Democrat Jon Ossoff and Republican Karen Handel in Georgia’s 6^th congressional district, and the 2017 Atlanta mayoral election and runoff between Keisha Lance Bottoms and Mary Norwood. The interview turns to the 2018 midterm elections in Georgia. Kauffman talks about the Republican gubernatorial primary and runoff between Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle and Secretary of State Brian Kemp. He analyzes the Democratic gubernatorial primary between state Rep. Stacey Evans and Georgia House Minority Leader Stacey Abrams. Kauffman reviews other down-ballot, statewide primaries. He surveys the gubernatorial general election between Democrat Stacey Abrams and Republican Brian Kemp. Kauffman explains current electoral trends, demographic change, and the role of voter suppression and turnout. He reflects on Republicans’ continued strength in statewide runoff elections. He offers some thoughts on Governor Brian Kemp’s administration, the 2019 legislative session, the 2020 presidential election, and Georgia political history.

2018-12-13

RBRL425TPGA-069

67 minutes