Political Rewind: UGA victory shifts day one of legislative session; McCarthy fights for speakership

The panel

Alan Abramowitz, @AlanIAbramowitz, professor emeritus of political science, Emory University

Donna Lowry, @donnalowrynews, host, Lawmakers, GPB-TV

Riley Bunch, @ribunchreports, public policy reporter, GPB News

Tamar Hallerman, @TamarHallerman, senior reporter, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution

The breakdown

1. The University of Georgia's victory could alter the first day of the legislative session as lawmakers head to the California matchup. 

• The Dawgs will face off against TCU in Los Angeles next Monday after beating Ohio State in the Peach Bowl over the weekend.
  • Jan. 9 is also the start of the 40-day legislative session. With UGA alums on both side of the aisle, sessions will likely gavel in and gavel out. 
• The football world is also watching for the recovery of The Buffalo Bill's Damar Hamlin, after he suffered a cardiac arrest during a Monday night game. 
  • Monday's game was postponed by the NFL. 

2. The Fulton County special grand jury signaled interest in the January 6th Committee documents.

• The election probe sought testimony from state political figures, including David Shafer. The House committee investigating January 6th was able to secure his testimony.
• Both Shafer and incoming Lt. Gov. Burt Jones were part of a false slate of electors who submitted documents certifying Georgia's electoral votes for Donald Trump.
• Fulton County's probe could release recommendations for criminal prosecutions and a final report in the coming weeks.

3. Updates on the election to fill the late Speaker David Ralston's state House seat.

• Early voting in District 7 brought out only four voters. With five candidates in the running, it's possible the election could go to a runoff.
• Key political figures, including Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger, have openly supported an alternative to Georgia's runoffs.

4. Rep. Kevin McCarthy faces an uphill battle for the U.S. House speakership.

• Rep. McCarthy must secure a slim majority of Republican support, but a new coalition of House Republicans signaled their dissatisfaction with the former Minority Leader.
• Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene vocalized her support for McCarthy in what could be her attempt to receive a committee assignment.

Wednesday on Political Rewind: GPB's Stephen Fowler reports from Washington, D.C..