Georgia Republican gubernatorial candidate Rick Jackson did not appear for a scheduled debate Monday night, leaving his Democratic opponent Keisha Lance Bottoms answering questions next to an empty podium.
"Rick Jackson is the first gubernatorial candidate not to stand here in 32 years," Bottoms said during the forum, claiming that Jackson, would "rather hide behind his billions than explain to you his record of making billions off the taxpayers of Georgia . While he is running to enrich himself, I am running to be your governor."
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The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported that organizers indicated Jackson would mark the first major-party gubernatorial candidate not to attend an Atlanta Press Club general election debate in the history of the outfit's debate series. Press Club officials said that there was an attempt to set up a gubernatorial debate in 1994, but neither the Democrat incumbent nor the GOP rival could participate, according to the association.
Jackson's campaign did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
On Monday, Jackson said that he had "not had one voter ask me a question about debate. That's not what's important to them. What's important to them is affordability and gas prices going up."
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Bottoms has served as Atlanta mayor and as a senior advisor to President Joe Biden for public engagement. Jackson is a businessman and philanthropist.
The rival candidates previously participated in an Atlanta News First town hall-style debate event on Oct. 6 in which they fielded questions from voters.
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President Donald Trump endorsed Jackson after the candidate defeated Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, who Trump backed for the Republican gubernatorial primary and primary runoff.