Georgia’s two major-party candidates for governor used their only statewide televised debate Tuesday night to draw clear differences on taxes, health care, education, data centers and privacy.
Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican Rick Jackson took questions from undecided voters during a town hall at Assembly Studios in Doraville. Atlanta News First and FOX 5 Atlanta both covered the debate.
Taxes and health care
Bottoms said she would suspend Georgia’s grocery tax and raise the state minimum wage. Jackson said he would cut the state income tax and focus on workforce development and higher-paying technical jobs.
On health care, Bottoms reiterated support for Medicaid expansion and stronger action against insurers that deny coverage. Jackson said he supports expanding coverage if it does not jeopardize existing federal funding and proposed price-transparency tools and tighter rules for insurers.
Data centers and Flock cameras
Bottoms called for a pause on new data-center construction. Jackson rejected a statewide moratorium and said future projects should meet tests involving community support, environmental oversight and benefits for nearby residents.
Both candidates also said license-plate camera systems need stronger guardrails. Bottoms said she would support a moratorium on new installations, while Jackson said he would restrict misuse without stopping new cameras entirely.
Election security
Bottoms called for expanded voting access and changes to state election oversight. Jackson defended Georgia’s current election laws and said recent elections have been secure.
The debate did not determine a winner; both campaigns and their allied parties claimed victory afterward. The next phase of the race moves back to campaigning ahead of the Nov. 3 election.
