(The Center Square) – The one thing Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms and Republican Rick Jackson seemed to agree on during a Tuesday night debate was the issue of affordability, but they had different plans as to how to address pocketbook issues.
The first question in the town-hall-style debate focused on affordability, featuring questions from undecided voters, broadcast on Atlanta’s News First.
Jackson said he would lower costs and create jobs before turning to Bottoms’ record as Atlanta’s mayor. Bottoms was mayor from Jan. 2018 to Jan. 2022.
“In 2021, we had the worst inflation that we’ve ever had and under Mayor Bottoms’ leadership, the inflation rate of Atlanta was 40% higher than Biden’s highest 50 years of inflation,” Jackson claimed. “This is the kind of policy that we cannot have in running Georgia, not having people feeling safe to go to work or go the gas store.”
Bottoms said she would look into providing grants and low-interest loans to help people become homeowners.
“We also need to expand Medicaid in the state to address the healthcare issues that are skyrocketing,” Bottoms said. “In this state, 300,000 people don’t have health coverage.”
Jackson did not specify how he would expand Medicaid.
“I just want to do it in a way that we don’t lose $4.5 billion that we’re currently getting for the state, because that would really hurt hospitals and doctors all over the state. But I will expand it.”
Both candidates said they would go after insurance companies that deny coverage for medically necessary procedures.
“It’s a travesty that people in this state have paid premiums, whether it be auto insurance, homeowner insurance or healthcare insurance, and they cannot get the coverage that they need when they need it,” Bottoms said. “Those bad actors don’t need to be allowed to do business in the state of Georgia, and I will see to it that they are held accountable.”
Jackson said he would be the insurance companies’ biggest nightmare.
“They make physicians, orthopedic surgeons, come up and talk to somebody about whether or not they should do surgery or not,” Jackson said. “This is totally ludicrous, and there’s no way this should happen, and under my watch, I will be going after insurance companies, and I will not allow them to deny necessary coverage anymore.”
Both candidates addressed their relationship with President Donald Trump during the debate. Jackson said during his campaign that he would be “Trump’s favorite governor.” During the debate, he said he would work with both parties. Trump endorsed Jackson for governor.
“Let me tell you something, I don’t owe anybody anything,” Jackson said. “Nobody’s ever told me what to do. My number one priority is Georgians … and I will stand up to anybody.”
Bottoms said she would stand up to Trump.
“I’m not running to be his favorite governor,” Bottoms said.
Early voting for the Nov. 3 election begins Tuesday, Oct. 13.