Georgia’s Democratic race for governor is stepping into the spotlight with a one-hour, statewide debate set for 7 p.m. ET on April 15 in Atlanta. The televised forum will put three familiar names on the same stage: former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, former Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan and former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. The debate is being hosted by 11Alive in partnership with Nexstar Media Group, with Zach Merchant and Faith Jessie handling moderating duties.
According to 11Alive, the hourlong debate will run from 7 to 8 p.m. ET on Thursday, April 15 and will be syndicated across Nexstar affiliates including WATL in Atlanta, 13WMAZ in Macon, WJBF in Augusta, WRBL in Columbus and WSAV in Savannah. The station says the debate will also stream on 11Alive+, the outlet’s apps and partner sites, and that candidates were notified of the qualifying criteria back in February.
Who’s on stage
Per Emerson College Polling, a late February survey of likely Democratic primary voters put Keisha Lance Bottoms in roughly the mid 30s, Geoff Duncan in the low teens and Michael Thurmond around 7 percent. All three clear 11Alive’s 5 percent polling cutoff for participation. The same poll showed Jason Esteves and Derrick Jackson below the threshold, with a sizable bloc of voters still undecided, a reminder that plenty of primary voters are still up for grabs.
Why it matters
The debate offers the candidates a final, high-visibility chance to sharpen contrasts and test their messages in front of a statewide audience. Geoff Duncan’s appearance is getting extra attention, since he is a former Republican now running as a Democrat, a party switch that has drawn national scrutiny and will be on full display onstage, according to AP. Viewers will be listening for what each contender has to say on affordability, housing and health care, and how convincingly they can speak to the undecided voters who may end up calling the shot.
How to watch
As outlined by 11Alive, the debate will air live on participating Nexstar stations and will stream on 11Alive+, the 11Alive news app and partner apps and websites. Zach Merchant and Faith Jessie will moderate from Atlanta, guiding the hourlong program and keeping the candidates on the clock.
The Democratic primary is scheduled for May 19, and the Secretary of State’s election calendar lists key deadlines and timelines for qualifying and early voting. For the official schedule, see the election calendar from the Georgia Secretary of State.
