Cost of living takes center stage at the AJC’s 2026 gubernatorial race forum

Georgia’s 2026 gubernatorial candidates took the stage at the AJC’s "Politically Georgia" candidate forum to share their visions for the state’s future. From housing and health care to job creation and property taxes, affordability emerged as a central theme across party lines. Democrats former Lt. Gov. Geoff Duncan, former State Rep. Jason Esteves, former Mayor of Atlanta Keisha Lance Bottoms and former DeKalb County CEO Mike Thurmond offered their proposals to tackle rising costs and support working families, as did Republican candidates Attorney General Chris Carr and Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.