Not so long ago, Gov. Nathan Deal called on both candidates competing to succeed him to talk more about education policy.

Mission accomplished.

Republican Brian Kemp announced earlier this week a $600 million plan to fund permanent pay hikes of $5,000 to Georgia's public school teachers.

And now we have word that his Democratic opponent, Stacey Abrams, will hold an education tele-town hall meeting on Monday evening to discuss her “cradle to career” plans.

There’s good reason for the intensified focus on education. Voters consistently say it’s one of the top three election issues, and independent voters said it was their most important factor.

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Donald Trump Jr. and his steady, former Fox News figure Kimberly Guilfoyle, are headed to Athens to speak to the University of Georgia on Oct. 9. Don't be surprised if Brian Kemp, the Republican candidate for governor, schedules his own event around their address.

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Stacey Abrams, his Democratic rival for governor, is getting more star support herself: John Legend, who recently completed the EGOT cycle, will host an Oct. 2 fundraising concert for the Democratic nominee for governor. Tickets start at $100.