Georgia’s race for governor took an unusual turn Monday night when Democratic nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms took the Atlanta Press Club debate stage alone.
Her Republican opponent, Rick Jackson, declined to participate in the event, leaving an empty podium in his place. The decision marked the first time in 32 years that a major-party candidate for Georgia governor skipped the traditional broadcast debate.
For 30 minutes, Bottoms, the former Atlanta mayor and senior advisor to President Joe Biden, fielded questions from a panel of journalists while using her opponent’s absence as a focal point for her opening remarks. “Rick Jackson is the first gubernatorial candidate not to stand here in 32 years,” Bottoms said on stage. “He’d rather hide behind his billions than explain to you his record of making billions off the taxpayers of Georgia.”
Keisha Lance Bottoms stands alone on a debate stage for Georgia’s gubernatorial election after Republican Rick Jackson failed to appear. https://t.co/d2GpVYXAF0
— Pop Base (@PopBase) October 13, 2026
Bottoms also criticized Jackson’s campaign activities during the day, noting his appearances across the state alongside current Georgia Governor Brian Kemp. Jackson’s campaign said the candidate was focused on direct voter outreach on the trail in Savannah and other areas rather than participating in broadcast debates.
Speaking on his campaign tour, Jackson dismissed the significance of skipping the event. “I have not had one voter ask me a question about a debate,” Jackson said. “That’s not what’s important to them. What’s important to them is affordability and gas prices going up.”
The rival candidates previously shared a stage on October 6 during a televised town-hall event hosted by Atlanta News First. Jackson’s team noted that he has engaged directly with thousands of voters throughout the election cycle and participated in primary debates earlier in the year.
The debate comes as early voting is set to begin across the state, with recent polling showing a close contest between the two nominees as both parties work to mobilize turnout ahead of election day.
