There are several Georgia primary candidate debates scheduled to occur in the upcoming weeks.
Many view the contest for the GOP nomination in the governor’s race as the main event. Incumbent Governor Brian Kemp and former U.S. Senator and Trump-endorsed candidate David Perdue are scheduled to face off on Atlanta, Georgia’s WSB-TV on April 24, Savannah, Georgia’s WTOC on April 28, and at the Atlanta Press Club and Georgia Public Broadcasting on May 1.
From May 1-3, Georgia Public Broadcasting is slated to broadcast debates scheduled for governor, U.S. House, secretary of state, lieutenant governor, and other races, as part of the Loudermilk-Young Debate Series.
In addition to the GOP gubernatorial debate scheduled for on May 1, Republican primary debates for U.S. House districts 6, 7, 10, and 14 are scheduled to take place on the same day at different times.
On May 2, there are two debates scheduled, with one per party contest, for the Republican and Democrat primary candidates for Secretary of State. There are debates scheduled in the race for the respective party nominations for Insurance Commissioner on the same day.
On May 3, there are debates scheduled to include Republican and Democrat candidates for lieutenant governor and state school superintendent, and Republican candidates for U.S. Senate
According to The Atlanta Press Club website, “For more than 20 years, the Atlanta Press Club, in partnership with Georgia Public Broadcasting, has been organizing the premier political debates in the state of Georgia. The Atlanta Press Club Debate Series provides the most comprehensive, timely and widely viewed series of political debates during every election year in Georgia.”
The reason the debate slate is named the Loudermilk-Young Debate Series is also explained on the website. “Previously, the Debate Series was funded from support by the late Tom Watson Brown. In 2011, R. Charles ‘Charlie’ Loudermilk, founder of Aaron’s Inc., pledged $1 million to permanently endow the club’s series of political debates during every election year in Georgia. In honor of Loudermilk’s close friendship with former Atlanta Mayor Andrew Young, the debates are named the Atlanta Press Club’s Loudermilk-Young Debate Series.”
The list of debate participants should become clearer as it gets closer to the scheduled dates.
The primaries are set to occur on May 24. If a runoff is needed for one or more of the races, they will be scheduled for Tuesday, June 21.
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Aaron Gulbransen is a reporter at The Georgia Star News and The Star News Network. Email tips to [email protected]. Follow Aaron on GETTR, Twitter, and Parler.
Photo “Brian Kemp” by Brian Kemp. Photo “David Perdue” by Senator David Perdue. Background Photo “Georgia State Capitol” by Library of Congress.
