Story perspectives

Georgia Gubernatorial Debate Set for April 2026

4/14/2026

Summary

Story summary

The Georgia gubernatorial debate is scheduled for April 15, 2026, 7–8 p.m. ET, hosted by 11Alive and Nexstar.
Keisha Lance Bottoms (Georgia gubernatorial candidate), Geoff Duncan (Georgia gubernatorial candidate), and Michael Thurmond (Georgia gubernatorial candidate) qualified on criteria, including polling support.
Bottoms leads with 34.8% in polling as of 2026, while many voters remain undecided.
The debate will be broadcast statewide and streamed online, but questions will not be accepted.

History

Historical Context

The 1990 Georgia gubernatorial election, held on November 6, saw Lieutenant Governor Zell Miller defeat Johnny Isakson with 49% of the vote, marking a significant moment in political engagement through televised debates. As Georgia prepares for its 2026 gubernatorial election, the upcoming debate among candidates Keisha Lance Bottoms, Geoff Duncan, and Michael Thurmond reflects the ongoing influence of debates on voter participation and campaign strategies.

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Story summary

The Georgia gubernatorial debate is scheduled for April 15, 2026, 7–8 p.m. ET, hosted by 11Alive and Nexstar.
Keisha Lance Bottoms (Georgia gubernatorial candidate), Geoff Duncan (Georgia gubernatorial candidate), and Michael Thurmond (Georgia gubernatorial candidate) qualified on criteria, including polling support.
Bottoms leads with 34.8% in polling as of 2026, while many voters remain undecided.
The debate will be broadcast statewide and streamed online, but questions will not be accepted.

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