Overview
- Bottoms disclosed on Monday that she has accepted six televised debate invitations and publicly challenged Rick Jackson to participate in all of them.
- Both campaigns have confirmed two joint fall events: a town‑hall style debate hosted by Atlanta News First on Oct. 6 and the Atlanta Press Club debate on Oct. 12.
- Jackson’s campaign has rejected a broad six‑debate slate, saying there is no appetite for multiple forums and highlighting a new statewide grassroots operation it says will drive votes.
- Recent polls show the governor’s race effectively tied, which makes the number, format and location of debates strategically important for reaching undecided voters and shaping late media narratives.
- The contest is for an open Georgia governorship between former Atlanta mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican businessman Rick Jackson, and both candidates are using debates and policy announcements on taxes and online safety to target voters in Atlanta, Macon and Savannah.