Martha Zoller, a longtime Georgia radio host, political commentator and conservative activist known for decades on WDUN and for her influence in Georgia Republican circles, died unexpectedly Monday. She was 67.
ATLANTA — Martha Zoller’s voice had become a fixture in Georgia politics for more than three decades, and it was part of so many people’s routines that the absence now feels sudden.
Zoller, a longtime Georgia radio host, political commentator and conservative activist, died unexpectedly on Monday, according to her family. She was 67.
Last week, Zoller told listeners she was leaving her daily talk show after what she called a “stress-related heart attack.”
To many in the state, the news lands not only as a loss of a media personality, but as the quiet end of a long-running presence in the conversations that shape everyday political life in Georgia.
She was best known for hosting “The Martha Zoller Show” on WDUN in Gainesville. Over the years, she built a reputation for political analysis, interviews, and deep connections within Georgia’s Republican circles.
Her broadcasting career began in 1994, when she became a regular caller to the station. From there, she launched a career that made her one of Georgia’s most influential conservative voices.
Zoller also appeared on national television outlets including CNN, Fox News, MSNBC, ABC’s “World News Tonight,” NBC’s “Today” and PBS. She served as a regular panelist on FOX 5 Atlanta’s “The Georgia Gang.”
Born and raised in Georgia, she graduated from the University of Georgia’s Grady College of Journalism in 1979. Decades later, she returned to UGA and earned a master’s degree in political science in 2021. Her thesis focused on women’s electoral success within the Republican Party.
Before broadcasting. Zoller worked in retail management and later stayed home to raise her children while helping manage her husband’s medical practice. She often spoke publicly about balancing family and professional responsibilities, emphasizing that women could pursue both careers and family life.
Her influence extended beyond media. Zoller served in senior roles for several prominent Republican leaders, including then-U.S. Sen. David Perdue and Gov. Brian Kemp. Until 2019, she served as state director of field offices for Kemp’s administration.
She later chaired the political action committee Georgia United Victory and advised conservative candidates throughout the state.
In 2011, Zoller launched a campaign for Georgia’s newly created 9th Congressional District seat. She advanced to the Republican runoff before ultimately falling short, a run that raised her political profile and cemented her reputation as a conservative strategist and advocate.
Over the course of her career, she also received multiple honors. She was repeatedly named to Talkers Magazine’s “Heavy Hundred” list of the most influential talk radio hosts in America. She was recognized by Georgia Trend magazine and James Magazine among Georgia’s most influential media and political figures.
In 1997, she won a Georgia Association of Broadcasters GABBY Award for Best Locally Produced Talk Show.
Zoller’s public service and civic involvement reached beyond politics. She served on the Georgia State Board of Education as the 9th District representative beginning in 2020. She held leadership roles with the University of Georgia Alumni Board. the Jekyll Island Foundation Board. the Beulah Rucker Museum and Educational Foundation and other community organizations.
She was also a strong supporter of the military. In 2005, she completed the Department of Defense’s Joint Civilian Orientation Conference. Later. she traveled to Iraq and Kuwait to report on military operations and meet with service members. and she frequently participated in events supporting troops and military families.
Her passion for military service was inspired by her father, Frank Mitchell, a World War II veteran who was captured in France and later escaped from a German prisoner-of-war camp.
Zoller lived in Gainesville with her husband and was a member of Gainesville First United Methodist Church. She is survived by her husband, four children and six grandchildren.
Memorial Park Funeral Home Riverside Chapel in Gainesville is in charge of the funeral arrangements, which have not been announced at this time.
In statements after her death, officials and political leaders remembered her as both a familiar media presence and a longtime public figure.
Gov. Brian Kemp said. “Marty. the girls. and I are deeply saddened by the passing of our friend and a long-time fixture in Georgia politics. Martha Zoller. Martha dedicated years of service to the people of our state. both in the early days of my administration and as a member of the State Board of Education and the Jekyll Island Foundation Board. She was also an avid supporter of our nation’s military. visiting troops in Iraq twice during the War on Terror. But she is best known for years in media. especially “The Martha Zoller Show. ” providing insight into the conservative political landscape of our state. Across Martha’s many accomplishments, her favorite roles were that of wife, mother, and grandmother. As we reflect on the impact of this beloved voice from Hall County. our prayers are with Lin. their four children. and their grandchildren.”.
U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff said. “I join in mourning Martha Zoller and send my deepest condolences to Martha’s husband. Lin. to her children and grandchildren. and to all who knew and loved her. Martha was a respected stalwart of Georgia’s civic community, an accomplished broadcaster, and a formidable activist. Whether on her radio show at WDUN. advising elected officials. running for Congress herself. or serving on the State Board of Education. Martha dedicated her life to service. family. and faith. and will be deeply missed by all her life touched. May Martha’s memory be a blessing.”.
The Republican Party of Georgia’s 9th Congressional District also issued a statement: “North Georgia has lost a remarkable voice. Martha Zoller was a longtime broadcaster. commentator. public servant. and conservative leader who spent decades informing. challenging. and engaging the people of Georgia. She was also one of our own. Martha ran for Congress in Georgia’s 9th District as a Republican in 2012 and later served Northeast Georgia on the State Board of Education. Through radio,
television, writing, public service, and political involvement, Martha was always a clear and consistent voice for conservative values. She loved this state, cared deeply about North Georgia, and never hesitated to speak her mind. The Republican Party of Georgia’s 9th Congressional District is grateful for her life. her work. and her service to our community and our movement. Our prayers are with her family, friends, colleagues at WDUN, and all who knew and loved her.”.
Her family’s account of her death, coupled with the announcement she made last week about leaving her daily show after a “stress-related heart attack,” has left many listeners holding two truths at once: that she pushed through, and that for all her visibility, she was still human.
Now, Georgia’s political and civic circles are left to reckon with the sudden quiet where “The Martha Zoller Show” and her years of direct, persistent engagement once were.
Martha Zoller Georgia radio host WDUN Martha Zoller Show political commentator conservative activist Gainesville Brian Kemp Jon Ossoff State Board of Education