Jackson, Bottoms target issues in same-day metro Atlanta campaign blitz

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — The battle for Georgia’s governor’s mansion is heating up in metro Atlanta on Wednesday morning as both major-party nominees hold high-stakes campaign events just miles apart.

With recent polling showing a razor-thin race, Republican Rick Jackson and Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms are using the same-day push to showcase different policy priorities for the state.

At 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Jackson will stand alongside Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr at Liberty Plaza, directly across from the state capitol in downtown.

Jackson is scheduled to unveil a comprehensive policy plan aimed at fighting human trafficking and increasing protections for Georgia’s children. The press conference is designed to highlight Jackson’s campaign platform of strengthening state law enforcement, raising expectations for public safety, and reforming child welfare.

About 30 miles to the northeast, Bottoms will host her own event in Gwinnett County where, at 10 a.m., she will gather with local residents at Al Huda Grocery in Lawrenceville.

Bottoms’ stop is designed to highlight her plan to lower everyday grocery costs and reduce the tax burden on working families. Her campaign emphasizes Georgia families currently face some of the nation’s highest grocery costs, making household affordability a key pillar of her platform.

The events come as a recent InsiderAdvantage poll shows Jackson and Bottoms separated by less than a single percentage point among likely voters.

The tightening race sets a high-stakes stage for Tuesday, Oct. 6, when Atlanta News First will host the only confirmed, live gubernatorial debate between the two candidates.

Moderated by Atlanta News First anchor Rick Folbaum, the debate will feature a modified town hall format where undecided local voters can pitch questions directly to the candidates.

The one-hour event will broadcast live at 8 p.m. from Gray Media’s Assembly Studios.

Kennesaw State political science professor Ben Taylor expects a highly competitive and deeply personal matchup.

“Given the extra time that Jackson has had to be a candidate for high office, you would imagine that he probably has prepared and gotten some practice,” Taylor said, adding with margins this thin, every direct exchange will count.

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