The Georgia Democratic Party-backed candidate hoping to unseat Republican U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson vowed to champion policies that help middle-class and low-income Americans in his first televised debate since joining the race nearly two months ago.
Jim Barksdale, a political novice, had some awkward moments Friday during his time in the public spotlight, which came during a Democratic Senate debate set to air Sunday afternoon on Georgia Public Broadcasting.
The investment manager said he would focus on boosting the middle class by renegotiating trade deals, raising the minimum wage and increasing infrastructure spending.
“I have been blessed with wealth and it’s my job as a steward of that wealth, a steward of everything that I’ve had, to make sure that it’s used for the common good,” he said.
The debate provided a big opportunity for the three Democratic candidates to address voters ahead of the May 24 primary. Early voting has already begun, and their campaigns have been almost invisible so far.
Barksdale said he used to vote Republican. But he said that the political right’s economic policies have harmed Americans.
“The key message is that the trickle-down economics that we were sold on and that I bought into for the many years that I voted Republican has not worked,” he said.
Barksdale has kept a low profile since entering the race in mid-March, granting his first media interview only last week.
Meanwhile, Barksdale’s Democratic rivals Cheryl Copeland and John Coyne sought to frame themselves as more electable alternatives.
“It’s time that we have something other than wealthy businessmen on the ballot,” said Copeland, who contended that she was the only middle-class Democrat in the race. Copeland is a project manager from Hiram.
Coyne, an Alpharetta businessman, said he was the only candidate capable of defeating Isakson in November. He said he could attract a coalition of Democrats, independents and enough Republicans to topple the two-term incumbent.
“We need a realist and a moderate to go to Washington and defeat Johnny Isakson and get things done,” he said.
Isakson faces two longshot opponents in the Republican primary.
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