Who gets heard at the Georgia Capitol, and what does it take to turn representation into real influence? Rep. Dr. Michelle Au reunites with her former Senate suitemate, Sen. Nikki Merritt, chair of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus, for a candid conversation about Georgia’s changing communities and the work of making their voices count under the Gold Dome.

Their conversation touches on the fight over redistricting, partnerships across Black, Asian American and Latino communities, and an internship program helping prepare Georgia’s next generation of leaders. It’s a behind-the-scenes look at how communities organize, advocate and turn a shared voice into action.

Notes: Learn about State Senator Nikki Merritt below:

Senator Nikki Merritt represents Georgia’s 9th Senate District in Gwinnett County and serves as chair of the Georgia Legislative Black Caucus. First elected in 2020 after flipping a Republican-held seat, she brings a background in telecommunications, labor advocacy and community service to the legislature. During her 23-year telecommunications career, her involvement with the Communications Workers of America helped shape her advocacy for working families. Raised in Austell, Merritt is a Georgia State University graduate and lives in Grayson with her family.

Learn more at https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/bios/merritt-nikki-4978.pdf

In Episode 2 of The Georgia Diagnosis, Rep. Dr. Michelle Au sits down with Democratic Party of Georgia Chair Charlie Bailey to talk about what it takes to build a political party beyond a single election. Bailey discusses running for office in Georgia, strengthening the party’s statewide infrastructure, and supporting candidates up and down the ballot. Drawing on his experience as both a statewide candidate and party chair, he looks at the work underway for 2026 and how it lays the groundwork for 2028 and beyond.

Notes: Learn more about Charlie Bailey below:

Charlie Bailey - Chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia

Charlie Bailey is Chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia, a position he has held since May 2025. A Harris County native and attorney, Bailey earned undergraduate degrees in political science and religion and his law degree from the University of Georgia. He began his political career working on Georgia campaigns before practicing law and later serving as a Senior Assistant District Attorney in Fulton County. Bailey was the Democratic nominee for Georgia Attorney General in 2018 and Lieutenant Governor in 2022 before moving into state party leadership.

Learn more about Charlie Bailey at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charlie_Bailey_(politician)

Episode description: Rep. Dr. Michelle Au sits down with WABE political reporter Rahul Bali to explore how Georgia politics gets told in sound. Drawing on a career that has taken him from student radio and local newsrooms to CNN, GPB, WTOP and WABE, Rahul discusses why local journalism matters, how reporters build the institutional knowledge needed to cover the Gold Dome, and what changes when audiences can actually hear politicians in their own voices.

It’s a behind-the-mic look at who tells Georgia’s political story, how those stories take shape, and why the medium can matter as much as the message.

Notes: Learn more about Rahul Bali below:

• Rahul Bali – Politics reporter, WABE

Bio: https://www.wabe.org/people/rahul-bali/

Rahul Bali is a politics reporter at WABE, Atlanta’s leading public radio station and NPR affiliate. He covers state politics, including the Georgia General Assembly, the governor and other state leaders and offices. Rahul has over 28 years of experience in radio and television in Huntsville, Alabama, Augusta, Georgia and Washington, D.C.