Candidate declines debate with opponent in Georgia GOP gubernatorial primary runoff

Healthcare executive Rick Jackson will not be part of a debate Monday ahead the Republican gubernatorial runoff vote, citing a scheduling conflict.

Instead, Jackson’s opponent, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, will answer questions from the panel of journalists alone while Jackson is represented by an empty podium.

It is part of a two-day series of runoff debates hosted by The Atlanta Press Club for statewide offices, congressional races and the chair of the Fulton County Commission beginning Sunday as part of its Loudermilk-Young series.

The marquee matchup Sunday will be between the Republicans in the U.S. Senate runoff — former football coach Derek Dooley and U.S. Rep. Mike Collins. Both have confirmed their participation.

“Derek was the first candidate to accept the Atlanta Press Club’s invitation to debate and looks forward to making the case to Georgia voters why he’s the best candidate to defeat Jon Ossoff in November,” spokesman Connor Whitney said in a statement.

All of the debates will be available to watch live on GPB.org and The Atlanta Press Club YouTube Debate channel. Roughly half will also be aired on Georgia Public Broadcasting on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday evening.

The runoff election is set for June 16.

See below for the full debate schedule.

Sunday, May 31

Public Service Commission District 5 Republican, 9:45 — 10:15 a.m. livestream

Secretary of State Republican, 11 — 11:30 a.m. livestream, airing Sunday at 7 p.m.

U.S. Senate Republican, 12:45 — 1:15 p.m. livestream, airing Monday at 7 p.m.

Secretary of State Democrat, 1:45 — 2:15 p.m. livestream, airing Sunday at 7:30 p.m.

Lt. Governor Republican, 3 — 3:30 p.m. livestream, airing Tuesday at 7 p.m.

Lt. Governor Democrat, 4:15 — 4:45 p.m. livestream, airing Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.

Monday, June 1

State School Superintendent Republican, 9:30 — 10 a.m. livestream

Labor Commissioner Democrat, 10:45 — 11:15 a.m. livestream

Insurance Commissioner Democrat, 11:45 a.m. — 12:15 p.m. livestream

Governor Republican, 1:30 — 2 p.m. livestream, airing Tuesday at 8 p.m.

First Congressional District Democrat, 2:45 — 3:15 p.m. livestream

11th Congressional District Republican, 4:00 — 4:30 p.m. livestream

Fulton County Commission Chair, 5 — 5:30 p.m. livestream

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