Kemp, Abrams square off again on Georgia debate stage: live updates

Georgia gubernatorial candidates Gov. Brian Kemp and Stacey Abrams are set to go head-to-head in their second and final debate Sunday – their last chance to sway undecided voters as the candidates battle to be Georgia’s governor once again.

The candidates’ second debate takes place nearly two weeks after early voting in the state began, with over a million Georgia voters already casting their ballots. 

Kemp and Abrams shared the stage with Libertarian Shane Hazel, who is also vying for governor, during the match-up’s first debate, which was part of the Atlanta Press Club’s Loundermilk Young debate series.

A wide range of issues, including the economy, cost of living and abortion and voting rights, will likely to be among the topics featured in the debate as they’re among the top issues concerning voters heading into the midterm election. 

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First debate takeaways:Kemp, Abrams renew their rivalry and push divergent visions in Georgia governor’s debate

Over 1.6 million Georgia voters so far

This midterm election, voters in Georgia appear to be more energized than ever. Turnout for early voting in Georgia has remained at an all-time high.

So far, over 1.6 million voters have cast their ballot early so far – a 40% increase in turnout compared to the 2018 midterm elections at this point in the election, according to data from Georgia’s Secretary of State office. Brad Raffensperger, Georgia’s secretary of state, projects that number to hit 2 million before Election day.

“One in five active voters have already gotten their vote in, and we will hit the 2-million-mark next week,” Raffensperger said in a statement announcing the record turnout.

– Ken Tran

Abrams to be aggressive in the debate; Kemp takes low-key approach

Abrams said she will use this debate to cast Kemp as a governor who only wants to deny people things, from abortion rights to economic assistance to the vote itself.

“During the first debate, I exposed Brian Kemp’s lies,” Abrams tweeted just hours before the clash. “Tonight, I will show Georgians once again that I am the only candidate who stands with them and will fight to lift up every family.”

Kemp, who is leading the polls, also took to social media, but said nothing about strategy against Abrams.

The governor tweeted, “TONIGHT: Watch the LAST gubernatorial debate before the general election.”

– David Jackson

How to watch

The debate is hosted by WSB-TV and will be streamed on WSB Now. The debate will also be streamed on the network’s Channel 2, available for local viewers to watch.

– Sarah Elbeshbishi

Who is Stacey Abrams?

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams rose to the national spotlight following her 2018 run for the governorship of Georgia.

Since then, she’s been known for her work with get-out-the-vote organizations. She has been credited with registering 800,000 new Georgia voters ahead of the last presidential election.

Abrams works with FairFight Action, a political action committee that focuses on voting rights. The committee raised nearly $90 million in 2020.

If elected, Abrams will serve as the nation’s first Black woman governor.

– Rachel Looker

Who is Brian Kemp? 

Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp is vying for his second term in office. He defeated Trump-backed candidate David Perdue, a former U.S. Senator, in the primaries.

During his time as governor, Kemp signed legislation for a federal waiver to bypass the Affordable Care Act website, proposed a limited Medicaid expansion, attracted several major manufacturing facilities to Georgia, signed several bills that he says will support small businesses, delivered on a pay increase for teachers and signed a law preventing the teaching of so-called “divisive concepts” in schools.

The Republican governor has received backlash from former President Trump by refusing to help him overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia.