Talk about counter-programming.

As Lt. Gov. Casey Cagle grapples with fallout over his role in education debates, Democrat Stacey Abrams is charting a different course.

The party’s nominee for governor announced a 7 p.m. town hall Wednesday at her campaign’s headquarters to focus on her fight against “public school privatization.” Her tag-line of choice: “Georgia’s Public Education Governor.”

She seems likely to seize on two events over the last week that have jolted the GOP race for governor, a July 24 runoff that pits Cagle against Secretary of State Brian Kemp.

The first is a secret recording of Cagle admitting he supported "bad public policy" in the form of private school tax credits to thwart a rival.

The second is a GOP state senator's comments that Cagle insisted on boosting funding for charter schools to get support from an outside group.

Abrams, in a statement Wednesday, said she emphasizes the same point in meetings across Georgia: “I will not hand our public schools to private interests.”

“We must ensure that no matter what zip code a child lives in or how much their family makes, every child can access an education so they have the freedom and opportunity to thrive.”

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In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com