Candidates for Georgia statewide office face off in Atlanta Press Club debates – Georgia Public Broadcasting

Candidates for Georgia statewide office face off in Atlanta Press Club debates  Georgia Public Broadcasting

Candidates vying for statewide office laid out their policy plans for voters Monday at the Atlanta Press Club debates at GPB studios. LISTEN: Candidates for lieutenant governor of Georgia laid out their policies during Monday's Atlanta Press Club debates. GPB's Sarah Kallis reports. Republican lieutenant governor candidate Greg Dolezal and Democratic candidate Josh McLaurin debated at GPB on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. Candidates vying for statewide office laid out their policy plans for voters Monday at the Atlanta Press Club debates held at Georgia Public Broadcasting's studios. The two candidates competing to be Georgia’s next lieutenant governor took the stage first. Both candidates addressed the cost of living including housing affordability.

Democratic state Sen. Josh McLaurin said he would like to see more housing built. "I want a market-based solution to work with the Chambers of Commerce and the affordable housing advocates to build all the housing we need to meet demand," he said. Republican state Sen. Greg Dolezal called for property tax relief. "Property taxes, in my opinion, are one of the most insidious forms of taxation that exists anywhere in the American economy," he said. Candidates also answered questions on data centers, and both agreed local communities need to decide if they want data centers or not. Later in the day, secretary of state candidates faced off. Republican