From grocery taxes to Flock cameras: Biggest moments in Georgia governor debate

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Republican Rick Jackson and Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms faced undecided Georgia voters live Tuesday night in their only town hall debate before the Nov. 3 election for governor.

The hourlong event at Assembly Studios, which aired on Atlanta News First and Gray Media stations statewide, let voters ask directly about affordability, health care, education, data centers, privacy, mental health and election security. Rick Folbaum, the host of On the Record With Atlanta News First, moderated the debate.

WATCH: Atlanta News First's Georgia gubernatorial town hall

Moderated by Atlanta News First, the candidates to become the next governor met for their first - and only - debate before election day.

Here are the questions and issues that came up during the debate.

Taxes and affordability

David, a Chatham County voter, asked when Georgians will get tax breaks.

Bottoms pledged to suspend the state’s grocery tax. Jackson pledged to cut the state’s income tax in his first term “or I won’t run again.”

Eboni from Cobb County asked how working-class Georgians can earn a living wage. Jackson said he’s committed to creating new, high-paying jobs. Bottoms, citing her mother working two jobs, pledged to raise the state’s minimum wage and create a pathway back to technical college.

Health care and insurance

James, a Bartow County voter with no health insurance, opened health care questioning. Bottoms repeated her pledge to expand Medicaid and accused Jackson of profiting from a broken health care system.

Jackson said he wants to expand coverage without losing $4.5 billion the state receives, and pledged price-transparency technology to let Georgians compare the best prices for their healthcare.

John from Houston County said he’d been denied coverage. Jackson said he’ll be insurance companies’ “biggest nightmare” and won’t allow denials. Bottoms said insurers that deny coverage shouldn’t be allowed operate in Georgia.

Education

Sylvester from Fulton County asked about improving education. Jackson pledged to remove administrative burdens on teachers. Bottoms said she wants to raise starting teacher’s pay in Georgia to $60,000.

Matthew from Columbia County, the father of a special-needs daughter, asked about support services. Bottoms stressed “wraparound services” for parents and staffing, while Jackson cited his experience with special-needs children in foster care and pledged to expand health services.

John, a Gwinnett County father, asked about the candidates’ plans for young people. Jackson said engineering and technical jobs need earlier introduction in schools. Bottoms, saying her children worry about AI and student debt, said she supports free technical college in Georgia.

Data centers, privacy, Flock cameras

Luann from Lee County asked about data centers. Bottoms is calling called for a pause on new construction and slammed Jackson for investing in data centers. Jackson denied owning or investing in data centers, and said he won’t approve data center projects unless the local community approves; strict EPA standards are met; and nearby consumers receive discounted utility bills.

Natasha from Clayton County asked about technology infringing on privacy. Bottoms said technology is outpacing policy and agencies misusing it must be held accountable. Jackson said Flock cameras deliver good outcomes but need restrictions against misuse.

Both candidates said they’re concerned about automated license plate cameras. Jackson said he would not place a moratorium because of possible crime increases, while Bottoms said she would support a moratorium on new installations.

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Mental health, veterans, federal cuts

Katherine from Fulton County asked about mental health care. Bottoms stressed routing patients to proper professionals. Jackson said sheriffs shouldn’t be mental health providers and safety must come first, criticizing Bottoms on police support. Bottoms said she prioritized mental health services as mayor and gave police a large pay raise.

Michael, a veteran, asked about veterans services. Bottoms said billions in federal cuts mean the state must fill gaps. Jackson promised a concierge desk in the governor’s office to guide veterans to care. Both said more mental health services are needed.

Nosipho, who said she lost her job due to federal funding cuts, drew a clash over President Donald Trump. Jackson said he wants a good relationship with whoever is president to secure federal funding. Bottoms criticized his pledge to be “Donald Trump’s favorite governor,” saying she’ll sue the federal government if necessary.

Jackson responded: “I don’t owe anybody anything” and said he will stand up for all Georgians.

Election security

Greg, a Cobb County voter and poll worker, asked about voter security to close the night. Bottoms said she’s concerned about Trump’s comments on elections, and supports the John Lewis Voting Rights Act and making Election Day a holiday.

Jackson praised Gov. Brian Kemp’s voting laws, said recent Georgia elections have been secure, and said no U.S. Department of Justice investigation is needed. Bottoms accused Jackson of supporting calling in the National Guard for the next election; Jackson denied it.

Political parties react

Both the candidates’ respective political parties claimed victory after the debate.

“Tonight, Rick Jackson proved he is the only choice to keep Georgia moving forward,” said Anna Marian Block, spokesperson for the Republican Governors Association. “Georgians don’t have to wonder what kind of governor Keisha Lance Bottoms would be. They’ve already seen it. She’s a failed one-term mayor who let Atlanta burn, watched violent crime spike, and walked away when things got tough.

“Rick Jackson knows what it means to struggle, understands the value of opportunity, and is running to make sure every Georgian has the chance to succeed.”

“Keisha Lance Bottoms dominated the debate stage by outlining her positive vision for Georgia – detailing her plans to lower costs and expand healthcare – while Rick Jackson made clear yet again that he’s running to be ‘Trump’s favorite governor’”, said Charlie Bailey, chair of the Democratic Party of Georgia. “Time and again tonight, Keisha held Slick Rick accountable for his long record of rigging the system against Georgians, forcing data centers on communities, and pushing the president’s disastrous policies, no matter how much it hurts our families.

“As we fast approach Election Day, our juggernaut coordinated campaign will continue working every day to send Slick Rick packing and elect Keisha Lance Bottoms as Georgia’s first Democratic governor this century.”

What’s next

Early voting runs Oct. 13-30. Election Day is Nov. 3.

Atlanta News First hosts Democrat Jon Ossoff and Republican Mike Collins for a U.S. Senate debate Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, with pre-debate coverage beginning at 6:30 p.m. and the debate following at 7 p.m. The debate will be broadcast statement on all of Gray Media’s Georgia stations.

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