Georgia governor debate live updates: Bottoms, Jackson face off
Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson will answer questions from undecided voters in what will likely be their only appearance together.
Follow real-time updates from The Atlanta Journal-Constitution in the Georgia governor’s race debate between Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican Rick Jackson.
The town hall style-debate is expected to be the only time the candidates formally appear together in advance of the Nov. 3 election. They are vying to replace two-term Gov. Brian Kemp.
Do debates matter?
The AJC's Greg Bluestein reports that even in an age of TV ad wars and social media memes, debates can still play a pivotal role in a campaign.
(Remember President Joe Biden's disastrous performance against Donald Trump in Atlanta back in 2024?)
Bluestein recalls some key moments from recent debates in Georgia to show how a damaging gaffe, an exchange that lights up social media or a performance that exceeds low expectations can make a difference.
Read his story HERE.
Debate prep, with a side of fries
Republican Rick Jackson and Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms have kept up their campaign schedules ahead of tonight's debate, while carving out time over the weekend to prepare for their first and likely only face-to-face showdown.
Bottoms’ campaign said she has spent time over the past several days preparing for the modified town hall, though she took a break over the weekend to head to Athens for UGA’s homecoming victory over Vanderbilt.
Jackson has also built debate prep into his schedule. His campaign offered a glimpse at least of the menu: a Wendy’s burger, fries and a milkshake posted under the heading “debate prep.”
Here's how to watch the Bottoms-Jackson town hall debate
Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican Rick Jackson will share the stage in a town hall-style debate at 8 p.m.
Interest is high because it's expected to be the only time the gubernatorial hopefuls appear together to take questions. (Jackson isn't participating in an Atlanta Press Club debate next week.)
Tonight, you can watch a livestream on Atlanta News First, which is hosting the event. You can also watch live on Gray Media stations statewide. A pre-debate analysis starts at 7:30 p.m. and the post-debate analysis will air at 9 p.m.
We also encourage you to stick with the AJC. Our team of experienced political journalists will be providing real-time updates making sense of what the candidates are saying and why.