Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson agree to October debate as Georgia gubernatorial race tightens

Published August 31, 2026 11:41am ET | Updated August 31, 2026 11:41am ET



Republican Rick Jackson and Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms will take the debate stage in October for a gubernatorial town hall as margins tighten between the two candidates vying to lead Georgia.

Atlanta News First reported Monday that Jackson and Bottoms have agreed to participate in a live debate on Oct. 6 in Atlanta. Erik Schrader, the vice president of Atlanta News First, said the town hall-style debate is intended to address issues at the center of voters’ concerns.

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