AJC chief political reporter to students: Be active, be informed

By Gil Pound

W ith the 2026 election cycle driving towards its peak, Atlanta Journal-Constitution chief political reporter Greg Bluestein this week gave Georgia College & State University students ways to be active and informed leaders on the Georgia political landscape.

Speaking at Georgia College's Usery Forum on Leadership Tuesday, Sept. 15, the veteran journalist reminded attendees they are uniquely positioned in "the swingiest county in Georgia" as the state prepares to select its next governor and determine a U.S. Senate race.

Baldwin County in recent major elections has been a battleground both political parties see as winnable.

"It's very, very close, which means the candidates in the campaign in this election are paying really close attention to the people here," said Bluestein, host of the "Politically Georgia" podcast and author of a newsletter of the same name. "You're going to have more chances here and in nearby places to hear from the candidates themselves, to go to town halls and to ask questions of candidates that I might not ask."

That message resonated with Amelia McEwen, a senior communications major and political science minor who participates in Georgia College Leadership Programs.

"I'm very glad he spoke on voting and getting involved because people my age don't take that initiative due to the fear that they'll be judged or maybe shunned from society, but it truly is so important," said McEwen, a native of Dunwoody, Georgia. "I thank Greg for doing that. I hope students here tonight took away the same thing that I did."

Bluestein is recognized as a leader in the field of Georgia political reporting, having been named the South's top political journalist in 2024 and 2025 by the Society of Professional Journalists. In addition to his daily story writing and podcasting, he is an analyst for MSNOW and a frequent guest on national and local TV news broadcasts.

Bluestein's resume is the type Georgia College looks for in lining up speakers for the Usery Forum. Named in honor of the 15th United States Secretary of Labor W.J. Usery Jr., the forum brings seasoned leaders to GCSU to share leadership lessons with students and the community.

Georgia College Usery Fellows moderated the discussion. Seniors Morgan Collins and Mia Morrow are this year's fellowship recipients who took the stage with Bluestein. The paid fellowship is awarded to exceptional students who devote special efforts to leadership and the public good.

Having reported on political leaders for over two decades, Bluestein during the forum Q&A gave his idea of the mark of a good leader.

"The first one is transparency and accountability, someone who's willing to say they made a mistake when they made a mistake," he said. "Someone who's willing to talk to folks like me in the media, but also hold town halls and hear directly from you about concerns and issues you guys have - someone who's willing to be held accountable for the decisions they make."

Leaders often have strong mentors, and Bluestein was asked who held that role in his life. He named two professors he had strong relationships with in college and urged GCSU students to forge those types of connections.

"You're lucky to be here because the student-teacher ratio is so low," said Bluestein. "You're not really in too many classes where it's like 200-to-1 like you see at other schools. You have a real chance to kind of adopt teachers and professors and faculty as mentors. Some of it happens by osmosis naturally, but some of it you've got to initiate. I encourage you to go do that."

Collins, an Usery Fellow and chemistry major from Eatonton, Georgia, gave his reaction at the conclusion of the forum.

"Greg Bluestein did an amazing job here today," Collins said. "I learned a lot, especially on how leadership can not only be used in the political world, but in the journalism world as well."

The Usery Forum helped kick off Constitution Week at Georgia College, which celebrates the rights and freedoms afforded by our nation's governing document. The popular Supreme Court Review Panel takes place Tuesday, Sept. 22, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the Arts & Sciences Auditorium.

Header Images: Bluestein on stage with Usery Fellows Mia Morrows and Morgan Collins. Dr. Harold Mock, executive director for the Georgia College Institute for Leadership and the Public Good, introducing the event. (Photos: Gil Pound)