Georgia's Bottoms debates an empty podium as Jackson skips forum
Rick Jackson, the Republican who wants to be governor of Georgia, skipped a TV debate on Monday night. Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms stood alone next to an empty podium, and she later called him a "coward." Jackson said no voter had asked him about debates and that people care more about prices.
Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms debated next to an empty podium Monday night after Republican Rick Jackson skipped the Atlanta Press Club's debate for Georgia governor, Fox News and WABE reported.
WABE said Jackson is the first candidate for governor in a general election to opt out of the Atlanta Press Club series since 1994. Fox News, citing the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, said organizers indicated Jackson would be the first major-party candidate for governor to miss one of the club's general election debates.
"Rick Jackson is the first gubernatorial candidate not to stand here in 32 years," Bottoms said during the forum, Fox News reported.
Jackson, a wealthy health care executive, spent the day flying around the state, WABE said. He ended it with a rally near Augusta with Gov. Brian Kemp.
He defended his choice to reporters. "I've not had one voter ask me a question about debate. That's not what's important to them," Jackson said, according to both outlets. He said voters care about affordability and rising gas prices. "My priority is not the media and what they want. My priority is what Georgians want," he added, WABE reported.
Bottoms, a former Atlanta mayor, used the half-hour forum to promote plans such as expanding Medicaid and fully funding pre-K, WABE said. She also raised Georgia's six-week abortion ban. After the debate, she called Jackson a "coward" for skipping it, WABE reported.
The two candidates did appear together at a town hall-style event on Oct. 6, where they took questions from voters, Fox News reported. WABE said that event last week will likely be voters' only side-by-side look at them.
President Donald Trump endorsed Jackson after Jackson beat Trump's first pick in the Republican primary, both outlets said. Early voting for the Nov. 3 election began Tuesday, WABE reported.
What we know: Jackson skipped Monday's debate, and Bottoms answered questions alone.
What we don't: Whether the two will meet again before Election Day.
Where outlets agree Fox News and WABE both report that Jackson skipped Monday's Atlanta Press Club debate, that Bottoms stood beside an empty podium, and that Jackson said no voter had asked him about debates.
Where they differ The outlets cited here report the same key facts so far.