Georgia gubernatorial candidates debate

Politics

GA gubernatorial candidates debate

Georgia gubernatorial candidates (from left) Republican Nathan Deal, Democrat Roy Barnes and Libertarian John Monds greet each other as they prepare to face off in a debate at The Temple in Atlanta on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010.

Georgia gubernatorial candidates Democrat Roy Barnes, left to right, Republican Nathan Deal and Libertarian John Monds face off in a debate at The Temple in Atlanta on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010.

Roy Barnes (from left), Nathan Deal and John Monds share a laugh before the debate, which took place in front of an audience of several hundred at The Temple on Peachtree Street.

The debate was heated from the outset, but grew more so when the candidates were allowed to question each other. Here, Roy Barnes (left) and Nathan Deal speak.

Democrat Roy Barnes (left) and Republican Nathan Deal trade jibes.

Members of the congregation, the public and the media look on while Georgia gubernatorial candidates debate. The 90-minute debate, moderated by Julia Wallace, editor of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, touched on education, the budget, the Confederate flag and renewable energy.

When Roy Barnes (left) asked Nathan Deal (center) why the former congressman spent $80,000 in campaign cash on lawyers, Deal blamed it on a congressional ethics investigation into his private salvage business. Deal, in turn, accused Barnes of running a negative campaign. At right is John Monds.

The debate was sponsored by The Temple, the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee. Shown are former Georgia governor Roy Barnes (left) and former Congressman Nathan Deal.

The debate ends. After shaking hands, the candidates leave. Shown are Roy Barnes (back) and Nathan Deal.

1/9

Georgia gubernatorial candidates (from left) Republican Nathan Deal, Democrat Roy Barnes and Libertarian John Monds greet each other as they prepare to face off in a debate at The Temple in Atlanta on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2010.

Today's Gallery Headlines

PHOTOS: An early look at CNN Center's redevelopment in downtown Atlanta

PHOTOS: Wayfair opens first Atlanta store

PHOTOS: Hawks defeat Celtics in key East battle

People march in Bishop Park in Athens on Saturday, March 28, 2026. Protesters gathered in 10 different locations around Georgia’s Congressional District 10, leading up to a “Democracy Fair” at Bishop Park as part of a nationwide day of “No Kings” demonstrations. Organizers estimate that a few thousand people participated, many of them first-time protesters. (C.J. Bartunek for the AJC)

PHOTOS: 'No Kings' rally at Bishop Park in Athens, Ga.

More Galleries

PHOTOS: Julian Bond — denied but not defeated

Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr (right) confers with state Sen. RaShaun Kemp, D-Atlanta, at the Wild Hog supper, the traditional kickoff to the legislative session in Atlanta, on Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

PHOTOS: Georgia legislative session kicks off with Wild Hog Supper

PHOTOS: Fani Willis testifies before state Senate panel

Vance leans into pitchman role for Trump’s tax law in Georgia

Alerts