Burt Jones takes shots at absent rival on the debate stage as Rick Jackson hits the campaign trail

In a heated Republican gubernatorial race, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones took the opportunity to criticize his rival, Rick Jackson, after Jackson skipped a debate hosted by the Atlanta Press Club. Jones seized the moment to highlight Jackson's absence by referencing an empty podium, aiming to undermine his opponent's credibility ahead of their June 16 primary runoff. This snub underscores the intense competition and the stakes involved in the race for Georgia's governorship, with both candidates vying for the chance to challenge the incumbent in the general election.