Democratic candidates for governor debate in Atlanta

Caption

Gubernatorial candidates Geoff Duncan (left), Keisha Lance Bottoms (center) and Michael Thurmond (right) participate in a debate in Atlanta Wednesday.

Credit: Screenshot from 11Alive Youtube feed

Three Democratic candidates running to become Georgia’s next governor participated in a debate hosted by 11Alive news in Atlanta on Wednesday.

Candidates participating in the debate mostly agreed on issues related to repealing the state’s abortion ban and expanding Medicaid. 

They used their prior experience as elected leaders to make unique pitches to voters. 

Michael Thurmond pointed to his 40-year-long record in Georgia politics.

“I'm only candidate that's run statewide, only Democrat that's been elected three times as Georgia's Labor Commissioner," he said. 

Keisha Lance Bottoms promoted her tenure and policies as former mayor of Atlanta. 

“I'm not a new Democrat," she said. "These are issues I've been fighting for my entire adult life."

Geoff Duncan, who recently switched political parties, said he stood up to President Donald Trump even when he was the Republican lieutenant governor of Georgia.

“We need a governor who's willing, able, and strong enough to stand up to Donald Trump and all the crazy, toxic, illegal ideas that he continues to come up with," he said. 

Candidates also agreed that some Immigration and Customs Enforcement activity had gone too far, and supported some limits. 

Bottoms said that she did not let ICE use Atlanta city jail during her tenure as mayor, and supports some collaboration between ICE and law enforcement as long as it is "responsible and lawful" and does not target the most vulnerable. 

Duncan vowed to not use state resources to reinforce ICE raids, and Thurmond said that ICE needs to be reformed or abolished. 

The three candidates also shared their plans to address cost of living in the state. 

Duncan said he would move 10% of the state's rainy day fund to a $1.7 billion "jumpstart' fund for the governor to use to address poverty. He also mentioned increasing funding to the Childcare and Parent Services (CAPS) program to reduce the burden of child care costs, reinforcing local affordable housing projects, and expanding Medicaid. 

Bottoms said she would suspend the state gas tax, join other states in a lawsuit challenging Trump's tariffs, expand Medicaid, and create a statewide affordable housing trust fund. 

Thurmond pointed to his work in the state legislature to create tax breaks for working families and senior citizens, and said he will invest $25 million in scholarships for young working families, and increase funding for the CAPS program. 

Former state Sen. Jason Esteves did not meet the minimum polling threshold to participate in Wednesday’s debate, but hosted his own Q&A with voters on social media.