Republican gubernatorial nominee Rick Jackson and Democratic nominee Keisha Lance Bottoms offered competing plans for Georgia’s economy, health care and data center growth during a major business forum in Athens.
The candidates appeared separately at the Georgia Chamber of Commerce’s Aug. 5 Congressional Luncheon, which drew nearly 2,000 business, civic and government leaders to The Classic Center. They did not debate directly, but James Magazine reported that their remarks exposed clear differences over taxes, state spending and economic development.
Gov. Brian Kemp appeared alongside Jackson and endorsed him as the candidate most likely to continue Georgia’s business-friendly approach. Jackson pledged to cut taxes, recruit employers and direct more investment toward rural communities. He proposed increasing venture capital, early-stage funding, and private-equity investment for Georgia companies, arguing Atlanta should attract more capital.
Bottoms emphasized a more active state role. She proposed creating a state office for small businesses, breaking large government contracts into smaller opportunities and using developer agreements to expand affordable housing. She framed Medicaid expansion as an economic issue, arguing rural communities struggle to attract employers when hospitals close and residents lack coverage.
The candidates’ sharpest disagreement involved health care. Bottoms called for ending Georgia’s Pathways to Coverage program and accepting full federal Medicaid expansion. Jackson backed what he called “intelligent” expansion through a federal block grant tied to work, job training, and movement into private insurance.
They split over Georgia’s rapid data center growth. Bottoms repeated her call for a temporary pause while the state studies electricity, water and infrastructure effects. Jackson said local communities should decide whether to approve projects and consider their potential tax benefits.
The forum previewed a November contest between Jackson’s tax-cut, private-investment agenda and Bottoms’ government-led approach to health care, housing and small-business support.
