♪♪ >>> HELLO.

I'M VERONICA WATERS.

WELCOME TO THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB DEBATE SERIES FROM GEORGIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

THIS IS THE GENERAL ELECTION DEBATE AMONG CANDIDATES FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT ONE.

DISTRICT ONE IS IN THE SOUTHEASTERN CORNER OF OUR STATE.

LET'S MEET THE CANDIDATES FOR THIS DEBATE.

THEY ARE IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER, BUDDY CARTER, A REPUBLICAN, THE INCUMBENT CONGRESSMAN.

WADE HERRING, A DEMOCRAT, IS A SMALL BUSINESS ATTORNEY.

NOW LET'S MEET OUR PANELISTS.

MARGARET COCKER AND WILL PEEBLES.

FOR COMPLETE RULES ON TODAY'S DEBATE, VISIT THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB WEBSITE.

TO START THE DEBATE, EACH CANDIDATE WILL BE ASKED ONE QUESTION BY EACH PANELIST.

CANDIDATES HAVE 60 SECONDS TO ANSWER EACH QUESTION.

MARGARET, YOU GET THE FIRST QUESTION TO BUDDY CARTER.

>> REPRESENTATIVE CARTER, ON SEPTEMBER 22, 2021, YOU TOLD C-SPAN, I'M NOT WEALTHY, BUT I'M COMFORTABLE.

YOU TWEETED ON APRIL 5th THIS YEAR THAT, QUOTE, NO ONE'S WEALTH SHOULD COME FROM PUBLIC SERVICE.

THAT WAS IN RELATION TO STACEY ABRAMS.

OPEN SECRETS IN 2018 REPORTED YOUR NET WORTH AS MORE THAN $33 MILLION.

MORE RECENTLY, OVER $60 MILLION.

TELL US AS OUR REPRESENTATIVE IN COASTAL GEORGIA, WHAT STEPS DO YOU TAKE TO RECUSE YOURSELF FROM LEGISLATION THAT PERSONALLY AFFECTS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY'S PERSONAL FINANCIAL INTERESTS?

AND WHAT EXAMPLE CAN YOU GIVE US?

>> LET ME THANK THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY.

THANK YOU FOR MODERATING THIS, VERONICA.

THANK BOTH OF THE PANELISTS.

I APPRECIATE MY OPPONENT BEING HERE.

I THINK YOU BETTER CHECK THOSE FIGURES.

THAT $66 MILLION IS WRONG.

I HOPE MY WIFE IS WATCHING RIGHT NOW.

BECAUSE IT IS NOT CONNECT.

IT IS THE -- THE 33 WAS RIGHT BEFORE JOE BIDEN TOOK OFFICE.

IT'S NOT THAT WAY NOW.

WE'RE SUFFERING FROM THE POLICIES OF THIS ADMINISTRATION.

I DOUBT THAT VERY MANY PEOPLE HAVE THE SAME NET WORTH THEY HAD WHEN JOE BIDEN TOOK OFFICE.

THAT'S WHAT THE DEMOCRATS HAVE DONE.

THE POLICIES OF THIS ADMINISTRATION HAVE RUINED OUR ECONOMY.

WE HAD THIS ECONOMY RUNNING AND HUMMING IN THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

I CAN ASSURE YOU MY WEALTH CAME FROM WORKING AS A PHARMACIST, CAME AS A SMALL BUSINESSMAN.

I OWN MY OWN BUSINESS.

IN THAT 32 YEARS, I WORKED HARD.

YES, I WAS SUCCESSFUL BECAUSE I WORKED HARD.

I DON'T APOLOGIZE FOR BEING SUCCESSFUL.

>> THANK YOU.

WILL PEEBLES, IT IS YOUR TURN TO ASK A QUESTION TO WADE HERRING.

>> MR.

HERRING, MORE THAN 70% OF DEMOCRATS IN THE FIRST DISTRICT ARE BLACK.

SIGNIFICANT POCKETS OF THE VOTERS DISTRUST YOU ARE A PERSON THAT CAN UNDERSTAND THEIR LIVES AND THE CHALLENGES THEY FACE.

CAN YOU CONVINCE US THAT THEY ARE WRONG?

>> I THINK THEY ARE WRONG.

I DON'T KNOW THE SOURCE OF THE QUESTION.

BUT I WORKED VERY HARD TO CONNECT WITH EVERYBODY IN THE DISTRICT TO REPRESENT EVERYBODY IN THE DISTRICT WHEN I'M ELECTED.

AND I'M A LEARNER.

I'M A LISTENER.

AND I HAVE REACHED OUT TO THE VOTERS ACROSS THE DISTRICT, ALL 15 COUNTIES, BLACK AND WHITE, YOUNG AND OLD, TO LET THEM KNOW THAT IN ME THEY WILL HAVE SOMEONE WHO REPRESENTS EVERYBODY IN THE DISTRICT.

RIGHT NOW, WE DON'T HAVE THAT.

WE HAVE SOMEONE WHO REPRESENTS HIMSELF AND WEALTHY CORPORATIONS.

>> THANK YOU, MR.

HERRING.

MARGARET, YOUR QUESTION FOR WADE HERRING.

>> MR.

HERRING, YOU HAVE SPENT YOUR CAREER AS A CORPORATE LAWYER IN SAVANNAH.

MOST OF YOUR CASES HAVE REPRESENTED BIG BUSINESS INTERESTS AGAINST WORKERS AND EMPLOYEES.

YOU HAVE CRITICIZED YOUR OPPONENT AS BEING IN THE POCKET OF BIG BUSINESS AND TAKING CAMPAIGN MONEY PREVIOUSLY, YOU CRITICIZED HIM FOR TAKING CAMPAIGN MONEY.

WHY SHOULD VOTERS IN THE FIRST DISTRICT TRUST THAT YOU WON'T BE IN THE POCKET OF BIG BUSINESS IF YOU ARE ELECTED?

>> AGAIN, THE PREMISE OF THE QUESTION MIGHT BE FUNDAMENTALLY INCORRECT.

MOST OF MY CLIENTS HAVE BEEN SMALL BUSINESSES TO MEDIUM-SIZE BUSINESSES.

AND WHAT I HAVE DONE IS WORK WITH THEM TO BE A TRUSTED ADVISOR, A LISTENER, A LEARNER, A PROBLEM SOLVER.

I HAVE DEVOTED MY VOLUNTEER LIFE TO THE COMMUNITY, TO MY CHURCH, BOYS & GIRLS CLUB, GEORGIA LEGAL SERVICES, GEORGIA APPLE SEED.

THAT'S HOW I DEVOTED MY TIME.

MR. CARTER, ON THE OTHER HAND, DOES TAKE MONEY FROM BIG PHARMACEUTICAL COMPANIES, DOES TAKE MONEY FROM BIG OIL COMPANIES.

MOST OF MY DONORS ARE INDIVIDUALS, NOT CORPORATE PACS LIKE MR. CARTER.

>> WILL, YOU GET THE FINAL QUESTION IN THIS ROUND TO BUDDY CARTER.

>> CONGRESSMAN CARTER, YOU WERE ENDORSED BY FORMER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP.

YOU CALL YOURSELF A LEADING TRUMP SURROGATE IN GEORGIA.

MOST TRUMP-BACKED POLITICIANS ARE PART OF THE CONGRESSIONAL FREEDOM CAUCUS.

YOU HAVE NOT PUBLICALLY SAID WHETHER YOU ARE A MEMBER.

ARE YOU?

>> NO.

I AM NOT A MEMBER OF THE FREEDOM CAUCUS.

THEY ARE GREAT PEOPLE.

FRIENDS OF MINE.

I APPRECIATE YOUR VIEWS.

I APPRECIATE THE ISSUES THAT THEY BRING TO THE FOREFRONT.

YES, I HAVE BEEN ENDORSED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP.

I'M PROUD TO BE ENDORSED BY PRESIDENT TRUMP.

I WELCOME THAT.

LET ME TELL YA, THIS IS A MAN WHO WAS RIGHT ON POLICIES.

THAT'S THE PROBLEM TODAY.

ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES.

BECAUSE POLICIES HAVE CONSEQUENCES.

WE ARE SUFFERING THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE BIDEN FAILED POLICIES.

THAT'S WHAT IS GOING ON RIGHT NOW.

IF YOU LOOK AT IT, WHEN THIS ADMINISTRATION INHERITED THIS, WHEN THEY CAME INTO POWER, INFLATION WAS 1.4%.

NOW IT'S 8.2%.

THAT'S A RESULT OF POOR POLICIES.

NOW MY OPPONENT WANTS TO GO TO WASHINGTON, D.C.

SO THAT HE CAN REINFORCE THOSE POLICIES SO HE CAN BE A RUBBER STAMP FOR THOSE FAILED POLICIES.

THAT'S NOT WHAT THE PEOPLE IN THE FIRST DISTRICT WANT.

>> I DID NOT FINISH MY QUESTION.

WHY ARE YOU NOT A MEMBER OF THE FREEDOM CAUCUS?

>> BECAUSE I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO SELL MY VOTE TO ANYONE.

ONE OF THE RULES OF BEING IN THE FREEDOM CAUCUS IS THAT YOU HAVE TO VOTE WITH THEM, I BELIEVE, 85% OF THE TIME.

MY VOTE BELONGS TO THE PEOPLE OF THE FIRST DISTRICT, NOT TO ANY GROUP IN WASHINGTON, D.C. >> REPRESENTATIVE CARTER, I WOULD LIKE FOR YOU TO RESPOND TO WHAT HERRING SAID ABOUT THE MONEY.

>> ABOUT THE MONEY?

WELL, FIRST OF ALL -- YOU KNOW, I HAVE TO TAKE OFFENSE, MARGARET.

I HAVE CLARIFIED THIS.

YOU GUYS UNDERSTAND IT AND YOU HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED THAT THAT $66 MILLION WAS AN ERROR.

YOU ACKNOWLEDGED THAT.

YET, YOU STILL TALK ABOUT IT.

THIS ABOUT MY OPPONENT SAYING THAT I HAVE BENEFITTED FINANCIALLY, LET ME ASSURE YOU, YOU DON'T BENEFIT FINANCIALLY AS A MEMBER OF CONGRESS.

WE HAVEN'T HAD A RAISE IN 14 YEARS.

IT'S EXPENSIVE TO LIVE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

IT'S EXPENSIVE TO MAINTAIN TWO PLACES, ONE AT HOME AND ONE IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

I THINK YOU ARE NOT GOING TO FIND VERY MANY PEOPLE IN WASHINGTON, D.C. BENEFITTING FINANCIALLY.

>> IF I COULD RESPOND.

>> 30 SECONDS, SIR.

>> MR. CARTER SAID I WOULD BE A RUBBER STAMP.

I AM GOING TO BE A REPRESENTATIVE FOR THE PEOPLE OF THIS DISTRICT.

I'M NOT A CAREER POLITICIAN LIKE MR. CARTER.

I'M GOING TO BE AN INDEPENDENT THINKER.

I'M NOT FOLLOWING A PLAYBOOK LIKE MR. CARTER.

HE IS THE CAREER POLITICIAN.

HE IS THE RUBBER STAMP.

>> THANK YOU, GENTLEMEN.

THAT CONCLUDES THE FIRST ROUND OF THE DEBATE.

THE CANDIDATES WILL NOW ASK THEIR OPPONENT A QUESTION.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE 30 SECONDS TO ASK THE QUESTION, 60 SECONDS TO RESPOND, AND THE CANDIDATE WHO ASKS THE QUESTION WILL HAVE 30 SECONDS FOR REBUTTAL.

BY RANDOM SELECTION, WADE HERRING, YOU MAY ASK THE FIRST QUESTION.

>> MR. CARTER, I MET A LADY NAMED MADDIE FROM SAVANNAH, ONE OF OUR NEIGHBORS, LAST WEEK.

SHE WORKED HARD ALL HER LIFE.

BUT SHE'S TOO OLD AND FRAIL TO WORK NOW.

SHE'S DEPENDENT UPON SOCIAL SECURITY AND MEDICARE.

SHE'S BEEN INSULIN DEPENDENT FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS.

YOU VOTED AGAINST CAPPING INSULIN PRICES FOR SENIORS.

MR. CARTER, PLEASE EXPLAIN TO HER AND THE PEOPLE OF THE FIRST DISTRICT WHY YOU WANT HER TO PAY MORE FOR A LIFE SAVING DRUG.

>> LET'S BE CLEAR.

AS A PHARMACIST, NO ONE IN CONGRESS HAS WORKED HARDER TO BRING PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES DOWN THAN I HAVE.

I THINK YOU COULD ASK ANY SIDE OF THE AISLE THAT AND THEY WOULD AGREE.

THE $35 CO-PAY ON INSULIN, IT ONLY CAPS THE CO-PAY.

IT DOES NOT CAP THE COST.

THAT'S THE PROBLEM.

LOOK, WHEN WE TALK ABOUT THE ONE ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COUNTER FOR OVER 40 YEARS, WHO HAD TO TELL THE SENIOR CITIZEN HOW MUCH IT WAS GOING TO COST AND WATCH THEM MAKE A DECISION BETWEEN THAT AND BUYING GROCERIES.

I WAS THE ONE WHO HAD TO TELL THE MOTHER HOW MUCH HER CHILDREN'S ANTIBIOTIC WOULD BE AND WATCH HER CRY WHILE SHE COULDN'T AFFORD IT.

I'M UP THERE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

THIS CAP ON INSULIN WAS NOT THE WAY TO DO IT.

THAT'S NOT GOING TO LEAD TO MORE INNOVATION.

ALL IT'S GOING TO DO IS CAP THE PRICE.

IT'S GOING TO LEAD TO LESS INNOVATION.

THAT'S NOT THE WAY WE DO IT.

WE HAVE TRANSPARENCY IN THE DRUG PRICING CHAIN AND TO HAVE THE PBM, THE MIDDLEMAN, HELD ACCOUNTABLE.

>> THANK YOU.

YOUR REBUTTAL, MR.

HERRING?

>> MR. CARTER SAID RECENTLY ON FOX BUSINESS THAT HE WANTS TO RAISE DRUG PRICES BECAUSE HE IS A PHARMACIST.

HE BECAME A MULTIMILLIONAIRE SELLING DRUGS TO SENIORS.

HE OPPOSED THE CAP ON INSULIN.

HE OPPOSED THE CAP ON OUT OF POCKET FOR SENIORS.

HE OPPOSED MEDICATE TO NEGOTIATE.

HE IS WORKING FOR BIG PHARMA.

HE IS NOT WORKING FOR US.

>> MAY I?

>> 20 SECONDS.

>> 20 SECONDS.

ON FOX BUSINESS I SAID THAT I WANTED PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES TO GO UP?

WHERE DO YOU GET THAT FROM?

I WANT TO SEE THAT.

THAT'S RIDICULOUS.

I HAVE WORKED HARDER THAN ANYONE TO BRING PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES DOWN IN CONGRESS.

I CAN ASSURE YOU, I'M HEADING UP BIPARTISAN EFFORTS TO DO THAT.

THIS GUY WANTS TO BE A RUBBER STAMP FOR THE FAILED BIDEN POLICIES, PARTICULARLY ON DRUG PRICES.

>> THANK YOU, REPRESENTATIVE CARTER.

YOU GET THE NEXT QUESTION.

>> MY QUESTION IS THIS.

SIR, YOU HAVE PUBLICALLY SUPPORTED THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT THAT WAS PASSED IN CONGRESS BY JOE BIDEN AND WASHINGTON DEMOCRATS WITH THE STATED PURPOSE TO DECREASE INFLATION.

GUESS WHAT?

THE INFLATION FACING WORKING AMERICANS NOW, IT'S THE HIGHEST LEVEL IN FOUR DECADES.

WHEN WILL THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT ACTUALLY REDUCE INFLATION RATHER THAN WHAT IT'S DOING NOW AND RAISING INFLATION?

>> THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT WAS JUST PASSED.

BUT ALREADY IT HAS TRIGGERED $28 BILLION IN NEW INVESTMENT IN THIS COUNTRY IN GREEN ENERGY LIKE BATTERY PLANTS ACROSS THE UNITED STATES, LIKE THE BATTERY PLANT THAT'S IN GEORGIA.

ALL YOU DO IS POINT THE FINGER AND MAKE NOISE.

AND I ACKNOWLEDGE THE REALITY OF INFLATION AND THE PAIN THAT IT CAUSES.

BUT THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT ALSO LOWERS DRUG PRICES FOR SENIORS.

YOU OPPOSED IT.

ALLOWS MEDICARE TO NEGOTIATE DRUG PRICES.

YOU OPPOSED IT.

CAPS INSULIN.

YOU OPPOSED IT.

THOSE ARE REAL STEPS TO REDUCE OUT-OF-POCKET EXPENSES FOR THE PEOPLE OF THIS DISTRICT.

YOU OPPOSED ALL OF THAT.

>> MAY I?

>> IT'S YOUR REBUTTAL.

>> LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PORTION.

YOU NEED TO UNDERSTAND THAT JUST LIKE I UNDERSTOOD IT.

WHAT IT DOES IS IT THE CONGRESSIONAL BUDGET OFFICE HAS SAID THAT THAT PARTICULAR PORTION OF THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT, THE PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICING PART OF IT, IT WILL REDUCE THE NUMBER OF DRUGS THAT COME ON THE MARKET, THE NEW DRUGS THAT COME ON THE MARKET, BY 15 IN THE NEXT 30 YEARS.

WHICH 15 IS THAT GOING TO BE?

IS THAT THE CURE FOR ALZHEIMER'S, DIABETES?

WHICH ONES WILL WE NOT HAVE?

>> THAT'S TIME.

THAT WRAPS UP OUR SECOND ROUND.

FOR THOSE JOINING US, THIS IS THE GENERAL ELECTION DEBATE FOR CANDIDATES FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT ONE.

WE WILL GO BACK TO THE PANEL TO ASK QUESTIONS.

I MAY ALSO ASK QUESTIONS OF THE CANDIDATES.

I WILL DETERMINE WHEN A REBUTTAL IS APPROPRIATE.

WILL PEEBLES, YOU GET THE FIRST QUESTION.

>> REPRESENTATIVE CARTER, YOU SAY CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL.

BUT YOU QUESTION IF IT'S ENTIRELY MANMADE.

YOU SIT ON THE HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON THE CLIMATE CRISIS, BUT YOU DON'T CALL IT A CRISIS.

YOU BELIEVE AMERICA NEEDS TO CONTINUE TO USE ALL AVAILABLE ENERGY SOURCES RATHER THAN PRIORITIZE SO-CALLED CLEAN ENERGY.

CAN YOU TELL US, WHAT DO YOU THINK CAUSES CLIMATE CHANGE?

>> I HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL.

I HAVE SAID, YES, MAN PLAYS A PART IN IT.

WE NEED TO DECREASE OUR CARBON EMISSIONS.

WE HAVE DONE THAT.

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA HAS DECREASED OUR CARBON EMISSIONS MORE IN THE LAST DECADE THAN THE NEXT TEN COUNTRIES COMBINED.

WHILE GROWING OUR ECONOMY.

IT CAN BE DONE.

I DO BELIEVE IN ALL OF THE ABOVE TYPE ENERGY STRATEGY.

I HAVE SEEN WHEN YOU LET POLICY GET AHEAD OF INNOVATION.

IT'S HAPPENING IN EUROPE.

YOU WATCH THIS WINTER, THEY WILL SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES OF THAT.

I HAVE BEEN A LEADER ON CLIMATE CHANGE.

I AM ON THE COMMITTEE, YES, YOU ARE CORRECT.

I AM ALSO IN THE CONSERVATIVE CLIMATE CAUCUS.

I'M CO-CHAIR OF THE ROOSEVELT CONSERVATION CAUCUS.

I HAVE ACKNOWLEDGED IT.

THIS WAR ON AMERICAN ENERGY THAT THIS ADMINISTRATION HAS EMBARKED ON IS WHAT LED TO THIS INFLATION.

IT'S LED TO THIS INFLATION.

NOW MY OPPONENT WANTS TO GO TO WASHINGTON, D.C. AND BE A RUBBER STAMP FOR THOSE FAILED POLICIES THAT HAVE LED TO THIS INFLATION.

>> I NEED TO GIVE MR.

HERRING A REBUTTAL.

>> THANK YOU.

CLIMATE CHANGE IS REAL.

MR. CARTER HAS BEEN A CLIMATE CHANGE DENIER.

WE KNOW ON THE COAST THE REALITY OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND RISING SEA LEVELS.

WE NEED TO ACT WITH URGENCY.

THAT'S WHAT THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT DID.

IT WILL SPUR GROWTH AND THE GREEN ECONOMY, THE ENERGY EFFICIENT ECONOMY AND PROVIDE JOBS FOR GEORGIANS.

>> MARGARET, YOUR TURN TO ASK A QUESTION.

>> I WOULD LIKE TO GO BACK TO MY ORIGINAL QUESTION TO REPRESENTATIVE CARTER.

I DON'T THINK YOU ACTUALLY ANSWERED THE QUESTION, SIR.

I WASN'T ACTUALLY ASKING ABOUT YOUR NET WORTH.

I WAS ASKING HOW YOU -- THE PROCESS YOU TAKE TO RECUSE YOURSELF FROM LEGISLATION THAT PERSONALLY AFFECTS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY'S FINANCIAL INTERESTS.

BE TRANSPARENT WITH THE FIRST DISTRICT VOTERS.

HOW DO YOU SEPARATE YOUR FAMILY FINANCIAL INTERESTS FROM YOUR VOTE?

>> LOOK, I HAVE GOT PORTFOLIOS LIKE A NUMBER OF PEOPLE HAVE.

I DON'T MANAGE THEM.

I HAVE PEOPLE WHO MANAGE THEM.

I DON'T HAVE INPUT INTO THEM.

THEY MANAGE THEM FOR ME.

THIS IS TYPICAL OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE PORTFOLIOS LIKE THIS.

I DON'T KNOW WHETHER A PIECE OF LEGISLATION IS GOING TO HAVE AN IMPACT ON SOMETHING THAT I AM INVOLVED IN.

I HAVE MUTUAL FUNDS.

I HAVE A PORTFOLIO THAT IS MANAGED BY -- I HAVE THREE OR FOUR.

THEY ARE MANAGED BY DIFFERENT PEOPLE.

I DON'T HAVE INPUT INTO THEM.

IT'S NOT LIKE I'M GETTING THIS INTEL OR SOMETHING ABOUT WHAT'S GOING TO BE HAPPENING.

I'M NOT NANCY PELOSI'S HUSBAND HERE.

OKAY?

I'M NOT GETTING STOCK TIPS.

I'M NOT LIKE THE DEMOCRATS WHO ARE OBVIOUSLY ABUSING THE SYSTEM, LIKE SPEAKER PELOSI'S HUSBAND, LIKE WHAT MY OPPONENT WANTS TO GO UP THERE TO WASHINGTON, D.C. AND BE A RUBBER STAMP FOR THESE PEOPLE.

THAT'S NOT WHAT I DO UP THERE.

I'M REPRESENTING THE FIRST CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT OF GEORGIA WHERE I WAS BORN, RAISED AND HAVE LIVED ALL MY LIFE AND INTEND TO LIVE THE REST OF MY LIFE.

>> MR.

HERRING, WE HAD A MENTION OF YOU THERE.

>> YES.

WE NEED NOT ONLY TO BE CONCERNED ABOUT THE TRANSPARENCY WITH HOW HE MANAGES HIS PERSONAL WEALTH, BUT ALSO ABOUT THE FINANCIAL CONTRIBUTIONS TO HIS CAMPAIGN.

THE DAY HE SAID HE WANTED TO RAISE DRUG PRICES, BIG PHARMA DROPPED MONEY ON HIS CAMPAIGN.

WHEN HE VOTED AGAINST THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT AND ITS INVESTMENT IN CLEAN ENERGY, BIG OIL DROPPED A BUNCH OF MONEY ON HIS CAMPAIGN.

THAT'S MY CONCERN.

WHO IS HE WORKING FOR?

FOLLOW THE MONEY.

>> WE HAVE HAD THIS DISCUSSION ABOUT PACS EARLIER.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

IT'S NOW WILL'S TURN TO ASK ANOTHER QUESTION.

WILL?

>> MR.

HERRING, ROE V. WADE HAS BEEN OVERTURNED.

YOU ARE PRO CHOICE AND YOU WANT TO CODIFY REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS.

TO CREATE A FEDERAL LAW, LEGISLATORS WILL HAVE TO DEFINE A MAXIMUM NUMBER OF WEEKS AN ABORTION IS LEGAL.

AT WHAT AGE DO YOU CONSIDER A FETUS VIABLE?

WHAT PARAMETERS WOULD YOU HAVE ABOUT WHEN AND HOW LONG ABORTION RIGHTS EXIST?

>> YOU ARE CORRECT THAT I WANT TO CODIFY A WOMAN'S RIGHT TO REPRODUCTIVE CHOICES.

POLITICIANS SHOULD NOT BE IN THE EXAM ROOM WITH THE WOMAN AND HER DOCTOR.

WE ARE IN A TIME WHERE THE SUPREME COURT HAS RESTRICTED FREEDOM.

UNPRECEDENTED IN OUR COUNTRY.

IN TERMS OF VIABILITY, THAT'S A MEDICAL DECISION.

THAT'S NOT A POLITICAL DECISION.

THAT IS A DECISION FOR A WOMAN AND HER DOCTOR TO MAKE.

>> TO PUSH YOU THERE, WHAT IS THE LIMIT?

IS THERE ANY LIMIT WHATSOEVER ON WHEN A WOMAN CAN GET AN ABORTION WHILE PREGNANT?

>> ROE V. WADE WAS BASED ON A TRIMESTER SYSTEM.

MY CONCERN IS THE NUANCE.

THE INDIVIDUAL CIRCUMSTANCES THAT ARE INVOLVED, THAT'S A DECISION BETWEEN A WOMAN AND HER DOCTOR, OFTEN IN AN EMERGENCY.

>> MARGARET, NEXT QUESTION TO YOU.

>> MAY I RESPOND?

>> DID HE CALL REPRESENTATIVE CARTER'S NAME?

LET'S -- ALL RIGHT.

LET'S GIVE YOU 20 SECONDS.

>> I JUST WANT TO MAKE SURE AS MY GOOD FRIEND HERSCHEL WALKER POINTED OUT IN HIS DEBATE WITH RAFAEL WARNOCK THAT THERE'S SOMEONE ELSE IN THE ROOM.

THERE'S A BABY IN THAT ROOM.

THAT BABY NEEDS TO BE REPRESENTED AS WELL.

LOOK, I AM UNAPOLOGETICALLY PRO LIFE.

I BELIEVE IN THE SACTITY OF LIFE.

I DO NOT THINK ABORTION IS HEALTH CARE.

HEALTH CARE SAVES LIVES.

ABORTION ENDS LIVES.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

MARGARET, NEXT QUESTION.

>> I WILL STAY WITH ABORTION.

REPRESENTATIVE CARTER, I WILL COME BACK TO YOU.

SHOULD GEORGIA'S STATE LAW CONCERNING ABORTION AND LIMITS ON ABORTION BE THE MODEL FOR A FEDERAL LAW ABOUT SUCH A REPRODUCTIVE PROCEDURE?

>> THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THE RULES WAS IN DOBBS VERSUS JACKSON HEALTH CARE.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SHOULD NOT HAVE THE SAY.

THIS GOES BACK TO THE STATES.

I LIKE THE HEARTBEAT LAW.

I THINK IT'S A GOOD STARTING POINT FOR MANY STATES.

I HOPE THAT THEY WILL FOLLOW IT.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE HERE, FOLKS, WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT A CONGLOMERATION OF SALES.

WE'RE NOT TALKING ABOUT A MASS OF TISSUE.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A BABY.

WE'RE TALKING ABOUT A BABY HERE.

LIFE IS PRECIOUS.

WE ARE ALL FORMED IN THE IMAGE OF GOD.

DON'T WE UNDERSTAND THAT?

I CAN'T GET OVER THIS.

MY OPPONENT, YOU KNOW, YOU WANT TO TALK ABOUT EXTREMISM?

THE DEMOCRATS, THEY ARE THE ONES WHO ARE EXTREME.

THEY WANT TO HAVE -- THEY WANT YOU TO BE ABLE TO HAVE AN ABORTION UP UNTIL THE TIME OF BIRTH AND HAVE THE TAXPAYERS PAY FOR IT.

NOW HE WANTS TO GO TO WASHINGTON, D.C. AND BE A RUBBER STAMP FOR THAT POLICY.

THAT'S NOT REPRESENTATIVE OF THE FIRST DISTRICT OF GEORGIA.

>> REBUTTAL?

>> THAT STATEMENT YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF.

THERE'S NO BASIS IN FACT OR LAW TO SAY THAT ABORTION SHOULD BE AVAILABLE ON DEMAND UP TO THE TIME OF BIRTH.

THERE'S NO BASIS THAT I HAVE EVER SAID THAT.

MR. CARTER, BY THE WAY, YOU HAVE PROUDLY BRAGGED ABOUT CO-SPONSORING FEDERAL LEGISLATION TO MAKE ABORTION A CRIME WITHOUT EXCEPTION, INCLUDING RAPE, INCEST AND LIFE OF THE MOTHER.

THOSE ARE THE FACTS.

LET'S STICK TO THE FACTS WHEN WE MAKE OUR DECISIONS.

>> THANK YOU, MR.

HERRING.

FINAL QUESTION TO WILL.

>> MR.

HERRING, YOUR OPPONENT CARES MORE DEEPLY ABOUT HEALTH CARE AND HAS A KNOWLEDGE OF THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY AND COST OF MEDICAL CARE FOR AMERICANS.

YOU HAVE NO BACKGROUND IN THIS ISSUE THAT'S SO IMPORTANT TO FIRST DISTRICT VOTERS.

WHY SHOULD OUR VOTERS TRUST YOU WOULD DO BETTER SOLVING THESE PROBLEMS THAN OUR INCUMBENT?

>> LOOK, I'VE BEEN A LISTENER AND LEARNER ALL MY LIFE.

I HAVE REPRESENTED MEDICAL PRACTICES AND HOSPITALS.

I ACTUALLY KNOW A FAIR AMOUNT ABOUT HEALTH CARE.

MY DAUGHTER IS A DOCTOR.

I KNOW THAT HER DOCTOR FRIENDS, HER YOUNG DOCTOR FRIENDS ARE FREAKED OUT ABOUT WHAT'S GOING ON WITH ROE V. WADE.

THEY ARE LOOKING AT WHAT STATES THEY GO TO TO START UP THEIR PRACTICES.

I KNOW THAT MR. CARTER WANTS TO RAISE DRUG PRICES.

HE OPPOSED THE CAP ON INSULIN.

HE OPPOSED THE ABILITY OF MEDICARE TO NEGOTIATE.

HE OPPOSED OUT-OF-POCKET CAPS FOR SENIORS.

THAT'S WHAT I KNOW.

I KNOW THE PEOPLE OF OUR DISTRICT ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HEALTH CARE COSTS, AND I WILL DO SOMETHING ABOUT THAT.

>> REPRESENTATIVE CARTER, A QUICK REBUTTAL.

>> WHERE DO YOU GET THAT I WANT TO INCREASE DRUG PRICES?

NO ONE IN THE UNITED STATES CONGRESS, SENATE OR HOUSE, HAS WORKED HARDER TO BRING PRESCRIPTION DRUG PRICES DOWN THAN I HAVE.

YOU TALK ABOUT MEDICARE AND THE FACT THAT WE GOT THE COMPANIES -- THE PHARMACEUTICAL -- THAT'S GOING TO RESULT IN LESS RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT.

15 LESS DRUGS ARE GOING TO COME TO MARKET.

TELL ME WHICH 15?

IS IT THE CURE FOR -- >> THAT IS TIME.

THAT'S ALL ALL OF THE TIME FOR QUESTIONS.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE 60 SECONDS FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT.

BUDDY CARTER, YOU FIRST ONE.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY.

I THANK THE PANELISTS.

FOLKS, ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES.

BECAUSE POLICIES HAVE CONSEQUENCES.

WE ARE SUFFERING FROM THE CONSEQUENCES OF THE FAILED BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

THAT'S WHAT WE'RE SUFFERING FROM NOW.

THAT'S WHY WE'VE GOT HIGHEST INFLATION IN 40 YEARS.

THAT'S WHY WE GOT CRIME RAMPANT.

WE GOT THE PROBLEM AT THE SOUTHERN BORDER, ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND THE DRUGS FLOWING ACROSS THAT BORDER.

DID YOU KNOW, WE HAVE BEEN DOING THIS FOR 30 SECONDS AND THAT PERIOD OF TIME, WE LOST TWO PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTRY AS A RESULT OF FENTANYL POISONING.

YET THIS ADMINISTRATION DOES NOTHING WHATSOEVER ABOUT IT.

THAT'S WHAT'S FACING THE AMERICANS TODAY.

WE HAVE POOR POLICIES.

THAT'S WHAT'S RESULTING IN ALL THIS.

NOW HE WANTS TO GO TO WASHINGTON, D.C. AND BE A RUBBER STAMP FOR THE FAILED POLICIES OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION.

I'M ASKING TO YOU SEND ME BACK TO WASHINGTON SO I CAN STAND UP TO THESE FAILED POLICIES.

>> WADE HERRING, THE FINAL CLOSING STATEMENT GOES TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

THIS ELECTION IS ABOUT RIGHT VERSUS WRONG.

LET'S DO THE RIGHT THING TO PROTECT WOMEN'S LIVES.

MR. CARTER WANTS TO CRIMINALIZE ABORTION WITH NO EXCEPTIONS, INCLUDING RAPE, INCEST AND LIFE OF THE MOTHER.

THAT'S NOT JUST WRONG, IT'S DANGEROUS AND IT'S CRUEL.

LET'S DO THE RIGHT THING FOR A HEALTHY GEORGIA.

LET'S REDUCE DRUG PRICES.

MR. CARTER OPPOSED THE ABILITY OF MEDICARE TO NEGOTIATE DRUG PRICES, OPPOSED THE CAP ON INSULIN, OPPOSED OUT-OF-POCKET CAPS FOR SENIORS.

HE WANTS TO RAISE DRUG PRICES.

LET'S PROTECT OUR SENIORS.

MR. CARTER WANTS TO BE BUDGET CHAIR AND CUT MEDICARE AND SOCIAL SECURITY.

THAT'S WRONG.

LET'S DO THE RIGHT THING AND PUT SOMEONE IN CONGRESS, WADE HERRING, I'M ASKING TO YOUR VOTE TO REPRESENT EVERYBODY IN THE DISTRICT.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU, MR.

HERRING.

AND THAT CONCLUDES OUR DEBATE.

WE WOULD LIKE TO REMIND VOTERS THAT ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 8, AND EARLY VOTING HAS BEGUN.

OUR THANKS TO THE CANDIDATES AND TO OUR PANEL OF JOURNALISTS.

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB FOR ARRANGING TODAY'S DEBATE.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DEBATES THIS SEASON, VISIT ATLANTAPRESSCLUB.ORG/DEBATES.

THANKS FOR JOINING US.