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Georgia governor candidates spar over the economy and Trump in lone debate
NBC News • • nation
Key Points:
- Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican Rick Jackson debated Georgia's gubernatorial race, focusing on economic issues, data centers, and their stances toward former President Donald Trump.
- Bottoms criticized Jackson's alignment with Trump, asserting she would stand up to him when necessary, while Jackson distanced himself from Trump and aligned more with outgoing Governor Brian Kemp.
- Jackson attacked Bottoms' record as Atlanta mayor, blaming her for regional inflation and higher crime rates during the pandemic, while Bottoms proposed tax relief on essentials and suspending new data center construction.
- The candidates also debated the use of Flock surveillance cameras and election security, with Bottoms expressing concern over Trump’s rhetoric and Jackson deferring election oversight decisions to Kemp.
- Jackson has heavily outspent Bottoms in campaign advertising, raising concerns among Democrats about their chances to flip the governorship after 16 years of Republican control.
