ATLANTA — Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams clashed in a debate Monday evening over points from weapons and crime to abortion and election legal guidelines.
The controversy got here at an important time for Abrams as she seeks to realize floor after having trailed within the polls all yr. Kemp is main Abrams by 5 to six proportion factors in averages of latest surveys, with simply three weeks to go till Election Day.
“I’m on the appropriate facet of historical past and on the appropriate facet of the problems. However we additionally know that polls are a snapshot. The query is: Who’re they taking an image of?” Abrams stated early within the debate when she was requested why polls counsel Kemp is extra well-liked although voters have indicated assist for her positions on abortion and Medicaid enlargement. “I don’t consider that I’m behind. I consider I’m making the case for Georgia.”
Kemp, who has signed a ban on abortions after six weeks, declared early on within the debate that he “wouldn’t” pursue additional restrictions on abortion or goal contraception if he’s re-elected. “That is not my need to do this,” he stated.
Monday’s showdown, the primary of two scheduled debates between Kemp and Abrams, was held on the identical day early voting kicked off in Georgia, a battleground state the place they’re locked in a rematch of their acrimonious 2018 race. They had been joined onstage by Libertarian Occasion candidate Shane Hazel.
Abrams vowed to just accept the results of the 2022 election, win or lose.
“I’ll at all times acknowledge the end result of an election, however I’ll by no means deny entry to each vote, as a result of that’s the duty of each American to defend the appropriate to vote,” Abrams stated, accusing Kemp of in search of to limit Georgians’ proper to vote.
Kemp defended his actions on poll entry in Georgia. “Ms. Abrams goes to lie about my file, as a result of she doesn’t wish to discuss her personal,” he stated.
Abrams emphasised her assist for regulation enforcement when Kemp requested her what number of sheriffs have endorsed her marketing campaign, saying she would not have the posh of decreasing her platform to a slogan. “We’d like security and justice,” she stated.
Kemp rejoined: “The reply is zero.”
Abrams hit Kemp for proscribing authorized abortion and backing permissive gun legal guidelines, which she stated have made Georgia much less protected. “We have now a governor who’s weakened gun legal guidelines throughout the state, flooded our streets with weapons by letting harmful individuals get entry to the weapons,” she stated, calling for ready intervals and common background checks, amongst different insurance policies.
The candidates had been break up over whether or not to increase Medicaid underneath the 2010 Inexpensive Care Act, which might prolong protection to an estimated 450,000 Georgians. Kemp has rejected increasing Medicaid, calling it a “damaged authorities program,” whereas Abrams argued it’s vital to guard Georgians.
Kemp sought to tie Abrams to President Joe Biden, whom he blamed for inflation. “Stacey Abrams campaigned to be Joe Biden’s operating mate. She helps these insurance policies,” he stated.
Abrams highlighted her aggressive plans to make use of Georgia’s price range surplus to lift trainer pay and increase funding for preschool. She additionally insisted that even a Republican-led Legislature would not thwart her progressive concepts if she is elected.
“I do not really consider there’s staunch Republican opposition,” she stated, touting her work “with individuals to learn the way to get options” from her time as minority chief of the state Home.
In closing, Kemp made his case for a second time period, saying: “Georgia is the best state within the nation to reside, work and lift our kids, and that’s why I’m asking in your vote of assist to maintain it that manner.”
Abrams closed with criticism: “Brian Kemp did make guarantees. He promised to maintain us protected, however crime has gone up. He promised to guard us, and but he’s attacked our freedoms. He promised to deal with our households, and but the rising costs in Georgia are rising as a result of he refuses to increase Medicaid, as a result of he refuses to sort out the inexpensive housing disaster.”
