Empty podium highlights GOP runoff debate after Jackson declines to participate

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — The Atlanta Press Club’s Loudermilk-Young debate series is set to feature an unusual visual Monday night: Lt. Gov. Burt Jones on stage alone, with an empty podium representing Republican gubernatorial runoff opponent Rick Jackson, who declined to participate, citing a scheduling conflict.

Atlanta Press Club Executive Director Lauri Strauss confirmed Jackson, a health care executive, will not take part in the debate hosted at Georgia Public Broadcasting as part of the club’s runoff series.

Political scientist Ben Taylor said the empty podium could quickly become campaign ammunition in a low-turnout runoff.

“If I were Lieutenant Governor Jones, I would love an empty podium,” Taylor said. “Who can you depend on in times of crisis?”

Jones has already seized on Jackson’s absence as an attack line.

“Obviously we exposed him on the first debate where we just asked him a couple questions, and he couldn’t answer it,” Jones said.

Jackson’s campaign said Thursday he was committed to a separate event, including a stop with U.S. Sen. Rick Scott, and said he would debate at a later date.

“My opponent represents the political class, and I represent the forgotten class,” Jackson said.

The Atlanta Press Club’s weekend schedule also includes a Republican U.S. Senate runoff debate Sunday between U.S. Rep. Mike Collins and former football coach Derek Dooley, as both candidates compete for the nomination to face U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff in November.

Collins, campaigning Thursday in Hall County, framed his message around crime and immigration.

“Derek Dooley wants amnesty, community service. Try telling that to Laken Riley’s family,” Collins said.

Dooley pitched himself as an outsider alternative.

“They want something new. They want a political outsider,” Dooley said.

Strauss also said scheduling conflicts led additional candidates to decline debate invitations, including Keisha Waites in the Democratic runoff for insurance commissioner and Joyce Marie Griggs in the Democratic runoff for Georgia’s 1st Congressional District.

Taylor said that in runoff elections, debates can carry more weight because the voters who tune in are often the ones most likely to turn out.