Republican Rick Jackson has declined the Atlanta Press Club’s Oct. 12 governor debate with Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms, the first time in 32 years the club’s event will not include both candidates. Bottoms’ team says she still plans to attend, likely facing an empty podium.
Jackson says he will instead attend a town hall-style debate hosted by Atlanta News First on Oct. 6 at 8 p.m., where undecided Georgia voters will ask questions. His campaign also cited more than 150 events across the state and called the town hall “the debate” for the election.
Jackson took part in the April Republican primary debate but declined a runoff debate with Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who appeared before an empty podium. Bottoms agreed to six general-election debates, only one with Atlanta News First. Two recent polls showed a close race: Rasmussen Reports had Jackson at 48% and Bottoms at 45%, with 7% undecided; YouGov had them at 45% and 44%, respectively, within its margin of error.
