ATLANTA — Democratic nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms announced Monday that she has accepted invitations to participate in six televised debates ahead of Georgia’s gubernatorial election and publicly urged Republican nominee Rick Jackson to appear alongside her.
Debate schedule spans multiple cities
Bottoms’ campaign released the list of events it said she has committed to, saying the forums will give voters opportunities to hear directly from the candidates in different regions of the state. The campaign said one of the debates — a nationally televised forum hosted by CNN — has an Atlanta location but a date that is still to be determined.
| Date | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Sept. 17 | Middle Georgia Matters | Macon |
| Sept. 22 | 11Alive debate (simulcast) | Atlanta (simulcast to Savannah, Macon, Columbus, Augusta) |
| Oct. 6 | Atlanta News First town hall debate | Atlanta (planned simulcast on Gray Media stations statewide) |
| Oct. 12 | Atlanta Press Club Loudermilk-Young Debate | Atlanta |
| Oct. 13 | WJCL-TV debate | Savannah |
| Date TBD | CNN debate (nationally aired) | Atlanta |
Bottoms framed the debate lineup as a chance for Georgians to evaluate the candidates in person and by television.
"Georgians deserve to hear directly from candidates for public office with multiple debates around the state,"the campaign quoted Bottoms as saying. "I'm ready to debate Rick Jackson in Atlanta, Macon and Savannah."
Jackson campaign response and outstanding acceptances
The Bottoms campaign noted that Jackson had not accepted the Oct. 12 Atlanta Press Club debate at the time of the announcement and did not indicate whether he had accepted other invitations. A Jackson campaign spokesman, Garrison Douglas, provided a statement criticizing Bottoms’ timing and record.
The statement read in part:
"Only the flailing campaign of a failed politician would spend more than six weeks ducking a debate, then suddenly demand six of them after Georgians begin to learn the truth about her disastrous record as mayor of Atlanta."That message accused Bottoms of attempting to shift the narrative late in the campaign; the statement did not list which debates, if any, Jackson planned to attend.
What voters will see and what remains unclear
The schedule announced by Bottoms places debates or town-hall formats in three major media markets — Atlanta, Macon and Savannah — and includes two planned simulcasts to extend viewership across other parts of the state. The inclusion of a CNN debate would potentially provide national exposure for both candidates.
Questions remain about whether Jackson will join all or part of the proposed lineup. Historically, debate participation can influence voter impressions, particularly among undecided voters and those in media markets where turnout can be decisive. If Jackson accepts only some invitations, the two campaigns could face logistical disputes about formats, moderators and topics.
- Six debates announced by Bottoms’ campaign, one CNN date pending.
- Locations: Atlanta, Macon and Savannah, with some events to be simulcast statewide.
- Jackson’s participation: Not confirmed for most dates; Oct. 12 Press Club debate specifically noted as not accepted.
Local impact and what to watch next
Debates provide voters a side-by-side comparison of policy positions, demeanor and proposed approaches to state issues such as the economy, education and public safety. For candidates, the forums are opportunities to clarify records and rebut attacks from opponents.
As the calendar moves toward September, the campaigns and media hosts will need to finalize moderators, rules and logistics. Voters looking to watch should monitor local station schedules and the campaigns’ official communications for confirmations and any changes.
State election officials said the debates do not affect the mechanics of voting; they are platforms for candidate engagement. The gubernatorial election remains scheduled for November, and the outcome will shape Georgia’s policy direction and national political dynamics.
Coverage will continue as campaigns confirm participation and organizers announce moderators, formats and broadcast details.
