Keisha Lance Bottoms accepts Middle Georgia debate; Rick Jackson’s participation still pending
Keisha Bottoms announced Monday that she has accepted invitations to participate in six televised debates across Georgia, including the Middle Georgia Matters debate scheduled for September 17 in Macon.
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – Democratic gubernatorial nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms says she is ready to debate Republican nominee Rick Jackson in Middle Georgia, but Jackson has not accepted the invitation for the upcoming Middle Georgia Matters debate in Macon.
The September 17 debate will be Bottoms’ first scheduled debate appearance of the general election campaign and will give Middle Georgia voters an opportunity to hear directly from the Democratic nominee on issues facing the state.
41NBC’s Tyrik Wynn will serve as moderator of the Middle Georgia Matters debate.
The Macon debate is one of several opportunities Bottoms says she has accepted to face Jackson and discuss issues important to voters ahead of the November election.
“Georgians deserve to hear directly from candidates for public office with multiple debates around the state,” Bottoms said in a statement. “I’m ready to debate Rick Jackson in Atlanta, Macon and Savannah.”
However, Jackson has not accepted the Middle Georgia Matters debate. His campaign has only agreed to participate in the Atlanta News First town hall debate, scheduled for October 6 in Atlanta and set to be simulcast on Gray Media stations across Georgia.
Bottoms has also accepted the Atlanta Press Club Loudermilk-Young debate on October 12, which Jackson has not accepted.
Other debates Bottoms says she has agreed to participate in include:
- Middle Georgia Matters — Macon, September 17
- 11Alive — Atlanta, September 22, with a simulcast on stations in Savannah, Macon, Columbus and Augusta
- Atlanta News First Town Hall Debate — Atlanta, October 6
- WJCL-TV — Savannah, October 13
- CNN — Atlanta, date to be announced
- Atlanta Press Club Loudermilk-Young Debate — October 12
Bottoms is calling on Jackson to participate in additional debates, saying Georgia voters should have multiple opportunities to hear directly from both candidates.
The Middle Georgia Matters debate would give voters in the region an opportunity to hear the candidates address issues affecting Middle Georgia and the state as a whole.
As of Monday, Jackson has not accepted the September 17 Middle Georgia Matters debate.
The gubernatorial election will take place in November.
