PSC Power Surge: Data Center Drama, Election Flip-Flops, and MTG's Mutiny

In this episode of The Georgia Hour, host BKP dives into the high-stakes Public Service Commission (PSC) races set for next Tuesday, emphasizing that Republicans currently hold all five seats and bear full responsibility for outcomes—whether voters praise their stewardship of power bills or decry rising costs tied to exploding data center demands. BKP warns that the timing of recent Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) articles feels orchestrated: one on Democrats' growing distrust in Georgia's election system (with over a third of Democratic primary voters now lacking confidence in the 2026 primaries, a sharp reversal from past Republican skepticism), another critiquing the "certificate of need" process, and yet another spotlighting the $10 billion data center boom requiring the equivalent of 10 new nuclear plants without promised bill hikes.

Shifting to the Democratic PSC challengers, BKP rolls video of a candidate vowing to "work across the aisle" with at least two sitting commissioners by forcing data centers to pay fair shares for their "sweetheart" power deals, revaluing solar energy to lower bills (countering fossil fuel favoritism), and curbing new expensive infrastructure. He notes heavy ad spending in Democrat-heavy municipalities like Atlanta and Sandy Springs, framing this as a turnout strategy to mobilize left-leaning voters on environmental and cost-of-living issues.

BKP dissects an AJC poll revealing partisan inversions: 80% of likely GOP primary voters now express faith in election integrity (down to just 6% "not confident at all," plus 13% "not so confident"), while Democrats' doubts have doubled since 2024. He speculates this narrative aims to silence Republican election concerns and shrink Donald Trump's influence, urging vigilance as "groundwork" for future controversies unfolds.

The conversation veers international with lighthearted speculation: Did Gov. Brian Kemp "bump into" Trump during unverified sightings in Japan, South Korea, and even a Georgia tire shop? BKP ties this to Kemp's potential 2028 ambitions.

A deeper AJC poll segment highlights bipartisan frustration with Trump's handling of Jeffrey Epstein files, with the host noting Trump's recent backpedal urging advocates to "move on," creating a new Georgia political fault line.

The episode's fiery core targets Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (MTG), whom BKP portrays as lashing out at "weak" GOP leadership for failing to repeal Obamacare after a decade, safeguard Social Security, or deliver results despite controlling the White House and Senate. Quoting her viral statements—"I'm disgusted with our own party" and "I'm not going to sit back and watch weak leadership squander the opportunity"—BKP highlights MTG's broadsides against Georgia Republicans: calling the state party a "good old boys club," endorsing Josh McCoon (now aiding Lt. Gov. Burt Jones's gubernatorial bid) only to later undermine him, and expressing unhappiness with Senate hopefuls like Mike Collins, Buddy Carter, and Derek Dooley, plus gubernatorial contenders like Jones, Chris Carr, and others. Despite past support for the Georgia GOP (including financial aid to oust BKP), MTG has washed her hands of them, hitting podcasts, CNN, and even earning praise from AJC's Patricia Murphy for her candor.

BKP predicts MTG could upend the 2026 gubernatorial field: If she runs, she'd likely clinch the Republican nomination by swiping Trump's endorsement from Jones (flashing her red hat and MAGA cred to heal voter rifts), and—controversially—he sees a real shot at winning the governorship outright. This "not mending fences" stance, he argues, positions her as a disruptor, potentially enraging Kemp (pushing him toward a Senate run) and alienating establishment figures without Trump's backing.

Wrapping up, BKP spotlights Georgia GOP infighting: Upson County GOP Chair Lisa Pierce is doorknocking for New Jersey's Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli, backed by RNC "all-hands-on-deck" efforts nationwide (including Georgia's RNC committeewoman Amy Kremer), signaling national optimism for a Garden State flip. In contrast, he blasts state party chair Sally Grubbs as a "nasty" unifier who subtly attacks allies—like shading county efforts or partnering with "bad people" groups—while ignoring grassroots pleas for cohesion. A humorous aside on a botched graphic exchange underscores the chaos, but BKP calls out the party's failure to rally for PSC and municipal races.