Bottoms, Jackson To Face Off In GA Debate For Governor

ATLANTA, GA — Georgia's frontrunners for governor will soon head into a gubernatorial debate ahead of the 2026 general election in November.

Atlanta News First on Monday announced the station will host the town-hall style debate between Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican Rick Jackson at 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, at Gray Media's Assembly Studios in Atlanta.

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Organizers have tapped WANF-TV anchor Rick Folbaum to moderate the event, which will allow the candidates to answer questions fielded from voters.

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Fresh faces entered the gubernatorial race this year due to current Republican Gov. Brian Kemp's ineligibility to run for a third term.

Ahead of the primaries in May, businessman Jackson spoke of his humble roots and voiced his desire to "bring business solutions to Georgia just like Trump did."

"I built a $3 billion business that employs thousands of people and provides medical care to over 20 million people a year, but it's not my money," Jackson said at a past debate. "It's God's money, and it's not about me. This is about you. When you're going to bed hungry, you don't forget, and you don't forget those that are still fighting and trying to do the same thing. That's the reason I'm running. ... Politicians just talk, but talk doesn't pay a bill."

Bottoms served as Atlanta mayor from 2018-22. The former White House aide decided to try her hand at governor after the 2024 presidential election, she said at a past debate.

"We need leaders who will focus on expanding Medicaid, improving education in our system, cracking down on corporate landlords, supporting small businesses and working to make sure that our children have the best opportunity to succeed," she said.

Following Bottoms' back-and-forth with Jackson, incumbent U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) will take on U.S. Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) on Oct. 8 at Assembly Studios.

The gubernatorial debate can be viewed via WANF-TV, ANF+ on Roku, Amazon Fire, and Apple TV or the Atlanta News First mobile app.