government
Keisha Lance Bottoms challenges Rick Jackson to series of debates before election
By Hope Dean at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News
· June 23, 2026
· 1 min read
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Georgians could get to see the state’s two gubernatorial nominees on the debate stage before the Nov. 3 general election. On Tuesday, Keisha Lance Bottoms — former mayor of Atlanta and the Democratic nominee — called for three televised debates at least two wee...
Key takeaway (Atlanta News First) — Georgians could get to see the state’s two gubernatorial nominees on the debate stage before the Nov.
Why this matters in The Atlanta
The call for debates between Keisha Lance Bottoms and Rick Jackson has significant implications for Atlanta voters, who will be closely watching the gubernatorial candidates' stances on issues like affordability and economic development. As the former mayor of Atlanta, Lance Bottoms is likely to face scrutiny over her record on these issues, while Jackson's background as a billionaire CEO may raise questions about his connections to the city's business community. The proposed debates, particularly the town hall format, will provide an opportunity for voters to ask targeted questions about the candidates' plans for addressing Atlanta's unique challenges, such as traffic congestion and gentrification. With the election just weeks away, the debates will be a crucial chance for voters to assess the candidates' visions for the state and its largest city, and to make an informed decision about who will best represent Atlanta's interests in the governor's mansion.
About this story
Original reporting by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News . The Atlanta surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
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Category: government ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News ·
Reading time: 1 min
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What is this story about? ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — Georgians could get to see the state’s two gubernatorial nominees on the debate stage before the Nov. 3 general election. On Tuesday, Keisha Lance Bottoms — former mayor of Atlanta and the Democratic nominee — called for three televised debates at least two wee...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News and curated for The Atlanta readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Hope Dean at Atlanta News First (WANF CBS) - News. To learn more about how The Atlanta selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
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