Georgia Democratic gubernatorial nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms took the debate stage Monday without her Republican opponent, standing beside an empty podium as she answered questions on the eve of early voting in the Peach State.
“Rick Jackson is the first gubernatorial candidate not to stand here in 32 years," Bottoms said in her opening remarks. “He would rather hide behind his billions than explain to you his record of making billions off the taxpayers of Georgia.”
The debate lasted less than 30 minutes and featured two journalists questioning Bottoms, who appeared alone after GOP gubernatorial nominee Rick Jackson declined to participate.
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Jackson's campaign said he had a scheduling conflict and was campaigning in the Savannah area, according to WSB-TV. The Republican spent Monday touring Georgia, visiting Atlanta, Macon, Columbus and Savannah before heading to Columbia County.
When asked about his decision not to attend the debate, Jackson told reporters Monday, “Out of probably 10,000 people I've talked to, not one of them has mentioned anything about a debate because that's not important to the people.”
Newsweek reached out to Jackson and Bottoms’ campaigns for comment Monday night.
The candidates previously debated on October 6 during a town hall hosted by Atlanta News First, where they answered questions from undecided voters across Georgia on a range of issues. The town hall was described as likely their only debate.
Monday's event was part of the Atlanta Press Club’s Loudermilk-Young Debate Series.
Why the Georgia Governor's Race Matters
The Peach State battle for the governor’s mansion is shaping up to be closely contested as candidates vie to succeed term-limited Republican Governor Brian Kemp.
Jackson is founder of Jackson Healthcare, a medical staffing company, and has positioned himself as a political outsider.
Bottoms served as Atlanta’s mayor from 2018 to 2022 and later as a senior adviser to former President Joe Biden.
Jackson currently leads Bottoms 49 percent to 47 percent, according to Decision Desk HQ’s polling average.
A recent YouGov poll also found a tight race, with Jackson receiving 45 percent support and Bottoms 44 percent. Nine percent of respondents were undecided. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.7 percentage points.
The contest also carries historical significance. If Bottoms wins, she would become the first Black woman to serve as governor in the United States.
Jackson has repeatedly criticized Bottoms' record as Atlanta mayor. “Keisha nearly destroyed Atlanta,” Jackson wrote on X Monday. “We aren’t going to let her destroy Georgia, but only with your vote.”
President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend a midterm campaign rally in Dalton, Georgia, on Friday to campaign for Jackson and Republican Senate nominee Mike Collins as Republicans seek to retain control of the governor’s office and defend their Senate majority.
Early voting begins in Georgia on Tuesday, ahead of the November 3 midterm elections.
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here. Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Anna Commander and Edward T. Cummins