One stage, one night | Rick Jackson, Keisha Lance Bottoms face Georgia voters
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Republican Rick Jackson and Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms met live Tuesday night in a town hall governor debate, and undecided Georgia voters drove every question for the two candidates.
The gubernatorial town hall debate began at 8 p.m. and aired live on Atlanta News First and on Gray Media stations across Georgia.
“On the Record: Live” started at 7:30 p.m. and the post-debate analysis aired immediately following the debate at 9 p.m.
LIVE UPDATES:
9 p.m. | The gubernatorial town hall has ended. Photos from the debate:
8:54 p.m. | Greg, a Cobb County voter, said he is a poll worker and is worried about voter security. Bottoms said she is concerned about President Trump’s comments on elections, and supports the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, making election day a holiday. Jackson praised Gov. Brian Kemp’s voting rights laws, and said the last several Georgia elections have been secure. Jackson said there is no need for the U.S. Department of Justice investigate the state’s elections, while Bottoms criticized the administration’s stances on elections. Bottoms said Jackson has supported calling in the National Guard during the next election, while Jackson denies the allegation.
8:52 p.m. | John, a Gwinnett County father, wants to know about the candidates plans for young people. Jackson said engineering and technical jobs need to be introduced in schools earlier, while Bottoms said her children are worried about AI and student debt. She pledges to support free technical college in Georgia.
8:50 p.m. | Both candidates are concerned about automated license plate cameras. Jackson said he would not place a moratorium on the cameras because of a possible increase in crime, while Bottoms said she would support a moratorium on the installation of new cameras.
8:45 p.m. | Katherine from Fulton County is worried about mental health care. Bottoms stressed the need to route patients to the proper mental health care professionals. Jackson said sheriffs should not be mental health care professionals, and said nothing is more important than having a governor who keeps citizens safe. He criticized Bottoms for allegedly not supporting police and law enforcement; Bottoms said mental health services were prioritized during her tenure as mayor, and gave law enforcement a large pay increase.
8:37 p.m. | Nosipho said she is a Black woman who lost her job due to federal funding cuts. Jackson said he wants a good relationship with whoever is president to ensure the state receives its full share of federal funding. Bottoms criticizes Jackson’s pledge to be “Donald Trump’s favorite governor.” She said she will sue the federal government if necessary and is not running to be President Trump’s favorite governor. Jackson rebuts, saying “I don’t owe anybody anything” and will stand up for Georgians.
8:35 p.m. | Matthew from Columbia County is the father of special needs daughter. Bottoms stressed the need for “wraparound services” for parents outside the classroom and personnel to fill those needs. Jackson said he has dealt with special needs children in foster care, and pledged to expand health services for all special needs children.
8:30 p.m. | Sylvester from Fulton County wants to know what steps Jackson and Bottoms will take to improve education. Jackson stresses the importance of education in his life, and said the state should remove all the administrative burdens placed on teachers. Bottoms wants to raise the starting salary for teachers to $60,000.
8:26 p.m. | Natasha from Clayton County is worried about emerging new technology is infringing on individual rights to privacy. Bottoms said the technology is outpacing policy. Agencies should be held accountable if they’re misusing the technology. Jackson said Flock cameras provide good outcomes, but there should absolutely be restrictions to ensure they are not misused.
8:23 p.m. | Luann from Lee County is worried about data centers. Jackson said he will not approve data centers unless the community approves it, complies with strict EPA standards, and each consumer in its vicinity receives discounted utility bills. Bottoms said she has called for a pause in the construction of new data centers. Bottoms also slammed Jackson for his investment in new data centers. Jackson replied he has not invested in any data centers and owns no data centers, and that Bottoms has approved new data centers. Bottoms denies those allegations.
8:20 p.m. | Michael is a veteran and wants to know what the candidates will do to expand veterans services. Bottoms said billions of dollars have been cut and the state must step in to fill in the gaps. Jackson promised a concierge desk in the governor’s office to help shepherd veterans through the care they need. Both candidate said more mental health services are needed for veterans.
8:19 p.m. | John, from Houston County, said he has been denied necessary coverage. Jackson said he will be insurance companies’ “biggest nightmare ... I will be going after insurance companies and will not allow them to deny coverage.” Bottoms said insurance companies denying coverage should not be allowed to operate in Georgia.
8:15 p.m. | James, a Bartow County voter, has no health insurance. Bottoms said she has repeatedly pledged to expand Medicaid, and slams Jackson for allegedly making money from a broken healthcare system. Jackson said he wants to expand Medicaid for everyone without losing $4.5 billion that the state is receiving. He also pledged to ensure Georgians will have the technology for them to shop for the best health care.
8:13 p.m. | The first round of questioning has concluded.
8:10 p.m. | Eboni from Cobb County wants to know how working class Georgians earn a living wage to afford basic services. Jackson said he is committed to creating jobs, and pledges to create new, high-paying jobs. Bottoms cites her mother’s background of working two jobs, and pledges to raise the state’s minimum wage and create a pathway for people to return to technical colleges.
8:08 p.m. | David, a Chatham County voter, wants to know when Georgians will get their tax breaks. Bottoms wants to suspend the state’s grocery tax. Jackson said he has committed to cut the state’s income tax in his first term or he won’t run again.
8:04 p.m. | Both candidates’ opening statements rely heavily on their upbringing.
8:03 p.m. | Jackson makes his opening statement.
8:02 p.m. | Bottoms makes her opening statement.
8 p.m. | Atlanta News First’s gubernatorial town hall debate between Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson is underway.
7:52 p.m. | The candidates for Georgia governor walk into the studio.
7:50 p.m. | Vocalist Sydney Jack performs the national anthem.
7:45 p.m. | The rules of tonight’s debate.
7:35 p.m. | The coin toss between the campaigns between Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson ahead of tonight’s debate.
7:30 p.m. | On the Record: Live is now previewing tonight’s gubernatorial town hall.
6:13 p.m. | Rick Jackson supporters outside Assembly Atlanta.
Keisha Lance Bottoms represents the failed past. We represent Georgia's future. I'm ready. Georgia's ready. And we're going to WIN BIG in 28 days. THANK YOU to everyone who showed up early to welcome us to the debate! https://t.co/1tIjBnuYac
— Rick Jackson (@RickJacksonGA) October 6, 2026
6 p.m. | Atlanta News First political reporter Doug Reardon sets the stage for tonight’s debate:
Tuesday’s event will follow a modified town hall format, giving undecided local voters the unique opportunity to ask questions directly to the candidates about the most pressing issues facing the community.
More coverage
- Voters ask, candidates answer: What to know about the governor’s town hall debate
- 60 minutes to win Georgia: What to watch for in the Jackson-Bottoms debate
- Jackson vs. Bottoms: Two vastly different paths to the debate stage
- One hour to decide Georgia? Governor’s race debate could help settle election
How to watch the debate
The gubernatorial town hall debate will air live on Atlanta News First and on Gray Media stations across Georgia. You can watch it on WANF (channel 46) in metro Atlanta and north Georgia; WTOC in Savannah; WPGA in Macon; WRDW in Augusta; WALB in Albany; and WTVM in Columbus. The debate will also be available to stream live and on-demand. Simply download our station news app on your Roku, FireTV, AppleTV or your smart TV devices.
Atlanta News First and Atlanta News First+ provide you with the latest news, headlines and insights as Georgia continues its role at the forefront of the nation’s political scene. Download our Atlanta News First app for the latest political news and information.
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