Trump-aligned billionaire Rick Jackson forced an opponent to debate on an empty podium.
GOP gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson was humiliated after avoiding a high-profile debate, leaving his opponent to roast an empty podium.
The MAGA-aligned billionaire, who is running for governor of Georgia, snubbed the event alongside Democratic candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms, which took full advantage of the bizarre optics.
On stage, she addressed her absent Republican opponent, towards the vacant podium. “Rick Jackson also said that you should have to prove that you were raped in order to access an abortion. If he were here, I would ask, how do you prove that you were raped in order to get an abortion?”
Democratic candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms debates on an empty podium.
“He’s not here because he’s on his private jet flying over the state instead of having to answer to the people of Georgia for this irresponsible stance.”
For more than three decades, the Atlanta Press Club has hosted political debates for the state’s highest offices.
Get the best of The Beast delivered straight to your inbox
But when general election season arrived, Jackson declined to participate against Bottoms, marking the first time in 32 years that the press club will not hold a governor’s debate with both candidates.
The candidate’s no-show represents a habit. Jackson participated in the first round of debates in April for the Republican governor’s primary race, standing among seven other candidates as they answered questions from a panel of reporters.
Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson.
Élie Nouvelage/Getty Images
But when it came time to face Lt. Gov. Burt Jones in a second debate, Jackson declined, leaving Jones to appear before an empty podium.
Attempts to explain the avoidance of debate read like an excuse. “Rick is running to fight for ordinary Georgians – not the media, not the political class, not the special interests,” campaign spokesman Garrison Douglas said in a September statement.
“This format allows voters to ask their own questions, hear direct answers, and decide for themselves who they trust to move Georgia forward.”
Lauri Strauss, executive producer of the talk series, confirmed that the Jackson campaign had formally declined the invitation. Bottoms, meanwhile, accepted six debates during the general election season.
Bottom Keisha Lance.
Jackson, a former health care executive who calls himself “Action” Jackson and once bragged on stage with President Donald Trump, “I’m going to be this man’s favorite governor,” has quietly begun to distance himself from his boss.
Earlier this month, the MAGA billionaire became the latest Republican candidate to remove Trump’s name from his campaign website as the race in Georgia heats up.
While Jackson’s website previously promised that he would “work with President Trump to protect his state from the consequences of Washington’s failures,” the pledge was quietly changed to state that he would “protect Georgians from the consequences of Washington’s failures.”
Jackson’s campaign has been contacted for comment.
Register below to read this article for free or subscribe
to unlock unlimited access to The Daily Beast.
Best value for money
*Substack access provided the next business day, using your subscription email. Choosing the Premium plan constitutes your permission to share your subscription email with Substack and your agreement with Substack. Privacy Policy.
Already have an account? Log in
Looks like you already have a subscription!
You are ready!
Thank you for subscribing.
Subscription$0.00
Total$0.00
Gn usa
