Republican gubernatorial nominee Rick Jackson skipped the Atlanta Press Club’s governor’s debate Monday night, leaving Democratic nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms to field questions from journalists beside an empty podium on the eve of early voting.
Ms. Bottoms, a former Atlanta mayor and senior adviser in the Biden White House, took the stage alone at Georgia Public Broadcasting’s Midtown studios. In her opening remarks, she said Mr. Jackson was “the first gubernatorial candidate not to stand here in 32 years.” She accused the billionaire health care executive of ducking scrutiny of his business record, saying he would prefer to “hide behind his billions.”
The session ran less than 30 minutes, with two journalists questioning Ms. Bottoms, Newsweek reported. She also criticized her opponent for choosing to “fly around the state in his private jet” instead of appearing.
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Mr. Jackson instead campaigned across Georgia with Gov. Brian Kemp, with stops planned in Atlanta, Macon, Columbus and Savannah before an evening rally in Columbia County, the AJC reported. Mr. Jackson, who is backed by President Trump, said no voter has asked him about debates and that affordability and rising gas prices are what matter to them.
Press Club organizers said Mr. Jackson is the first major-party gubernatorial candidate to skip a general election debate in the history of the series. Officials said they tried to organize a 1994 gubernatorial debate, but neither Democratic Gov. Zell Miller nor Republican challenger Guy Milner could participate.
Mr. Jackson had formally declined the invitation weeks earlier, according to series executive producer Lauri Strauss. It was not his first absence this year. He also skipped the club’s June runoff debate against Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, whom he later defeated for the nomination.
Mr. Jackson agreed to one joint appearance with Ms. Bottoms, an Oct. 6 town hall-style debate hosted by Atlanta News First in which voters posed the questions. He declined the Press Club debate and four other debate invitations that Ms. Bottoms accepted, the AJC reported.
Early voting opens Tuesday ahead of the Nov. 3 election. Newsweek reported Monday night that Mr. Jackson led Ms. Bottoms 49% to 47% in Decision Desk HQ’s polling average.
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