Georgia’s gubernatorial candidates debate for first and last time

A billionaire Republican and Atlanta's former Democratic mayor fended off questions from voters as early voting kicks off next week.ATLANTA (CN) — The two candidates competing to be Georgia’s next governor confronted each other face-to-face Tuesday night for their first and only confirmed debate before the Nov. 3 election.In a live town hall debate hosted by Atlanta News First and Gray Media, Republican nominee Rick Jackson and Democratic nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms, were given 60 seconds each to respond to questions from Georgia voters.Much of the debate centered around each candidate’s readiness to govern, following Republican Governor Brian Kemp’s departure after serving his second four-year-term.Jackson, a billionaire businessman, has consistently described himself during his campaign as a self-made success, who rose from spending years in Georgia’s foster care system to build a multi-billion-dollar healthcare staffing enterprise.“I know what it means to struggle,” Jackson said in his opening statement.The 71-year-old healthcare executive spent more than $100 million from his own pocket to defeat his primary challenger, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones, overcoming endorsements from President Donald Trump and Kemp.But the president’s influence still lingers over the state as it has been subjected to Trump’s ire over his 2020 defeat to former President Joe Biden and accusations of election fraud.In an attempt to win over swing voters, Jackson has positioned himself as a political outsider and strayed away from mentioning Trump’s name at all during the debate.But Democratic nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms called out Jackson for a statement he made during Trump’s visit to a Georgia High School in July, where he pledged to be Trump’s “favorite governor.”“I will stand up to Donald Trump when necessary. I’m not running to be his favorite governor,” Bottoms said.The 56-year-old earned national recognition as a White House senior adviser under Biden but used the debate stage to underscore her Atlanta roots, her tenure as a city council member and role as Atlanta’s former mayor.If elected, Bottoms would be Georgia’s first Democrat elected governor since Roy Barnes in 1998.As economic and affordability issues top voters’ concerns, Jackson and Bottoms proposed contrasting views on how to alleviate Georgians’ financial burdens.Bottoms said she would like to create an affordable housing trust fund to help younger people have an opportunity to own their own homes. She said she also plans on cracking down on corporate landlords driving up prices, as Atlanta leads the nation in single-family homes owned by corporate investors.Meanwhile, Jackson said he is committed to cutting state income taxes and would also reduce property taxes, which cost Georgians an annual average of $2,476.Jackson also emphasized his intent to prioritize workforce development, help people get training for better jobs and teach more highschoolers about necessary trades such as plumbing, electrical and HVAC.Bottoms said she would aim to make technical and community college free for Georgians and mandate free statewide preschool as well.The two competitors were, however, able to agree on expanding Medicaid, as roughly 350,000 to over 500,000 Georgians have lost health insurance or coverage following recent federal policy changes. Both also vowed to hold health insurance companies accountable by not letting them deny necessary coverage.As Georgia has become a national leader in new data center construction, debate over how to regulate the booming industry and imminent domain concerns has become a substantial issue in the race.Jackson promised that if elected, local governments and residents would decide whether data center projects move forward, and that if they do, residents would receive tax-cut incentives. However, Jackson has drawn criticism for his ties to a 600-acre data center site in Texas that is being developed by a firm that, until recently, was led by him.Bottoms suggested enacting a moratorium on new data center development until more research on their impacts can be conducted, as well as halting new Flock Camera installation over rising privacy concerns from Georgians.Tuesday was likely the candidate’s only debate as Jackson declined an invitation from the Atlanta Press Club and four other debate opportunities that Bottoms accepted.Early voting begins Oct. 13, with a Senate seat also up for grabs and other top statewide positions on the ballot.Subscribe to our free newslettersOur weekly newsletter Closing Arguments offers the latest about ongoing trials, major litigation and rulings in courthouses around the U.S. and the world, while the monthly Under the Lights dishes the legal dirt from Hollywood, sports, Big Tech and the arts.Additional Reads