Political Rewind: State lawmakers can't dodge Fulton subpoenas; new polls hint at a close election

Caption

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis addresses potential jurors as Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney is seen on a video screen during proceedings to seat a special purpose grand jury in Fulton County, Georgia, on Monday, May 2, 2022, to look into the actions of former President Donald Trump and his supporters who tried to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The hearing took place in Atlanta.

Credit: AP Photo/Ben Gray

The panel

Alan Abramowitz, @AlanIAbramowitz, professor emeritus, Emory University

Amy Steigerwalt, @DrSteigerwalt, professor, associate chair, Georgia State University

Kurt Young, @kurtbyoung, department chair, Clark Atlanta University

The breakdown

1. A Fulton County judge ruled that state lawmakers must comply with subpoenas issued by District Attorney Fani Willis' election probe.

• Former state Sen. William Ligon and Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan are among those called to appear in court. They'll likely be asked who they were in contact with outside of Georgia.
  • The judge ruled that they do not have to disclose the content of their conversations, but it's unclear what that might mean in a criminal trial.
• It's possible that other lawmakers who served as "alternative electors" will make an appearance in court.
• This information comes days after Willis unexpectedly subpoenaed Rudy Giuliani, Sen. Lindsey Graham, and other Trump allies.
  • The special grand jury is proceeding alongside coverage of the January 6th Committee Hearings, which has seen testimony against Trump allies such as Giuliani, Mark Meadows, and John Eastman. 

2. New polling indicates very close races in November's elections.

• Warnock leads Walker by 10 points in a new poll by Quinnipiac University.
  • Warnock is more popular than Walker among independents, but Stacey Abrams isn't enjoying that same popularity.
  • Walker is still facing controversies including his actual place of residence, his endorsement by Trump, and his refusal to participate in the primary.
  • Alan Abramowitz predicts this midterm race will see unprecedented spending and large voter turnout.
• The gubernatorial race remains incredibly close in polls. As Trump attacks Kemp, it's unclear what his influence might be this fall. 

Friday on Political Rewind: Retired columnist Jim Galloway joins the panel.