>>> HELLO I AM JENNIFER VELMY, ANCHOR WITH 11 LIVE NEWS IN ATLANTA.

THIS IS THE RUNOFF DEBATE AMONG REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 2.

LET'S MEET THE CANDIDATES FOR THIS DEBATE.

IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER, JEREMY HUNT, WEST POINT GRADUATE AND FORMER U.S. ARMY CAPTAIN AND CHRIS WEST IS A REAL ESTATE DEVELOPER AND SERVICE IN THE AIR NATIONAL GUARD.

OUR PANLT, ROSS WILLIAMS A REPORTER FOR THE GEORGIA REPORTER AND NICK WOOTEN WITH THE LEDGER INQUIRER.

FOR COMPLETE RULES VISIT THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB WEBSITE, ATLANTAPRESSCLUB.ORG.

CANDIDATES HAVE 60 E SECONDS TO ANSWER EACH WE.

ROSS WILLIAMS YOU WILL GIVE THE FIRST QUESTION TO MR. JEREMY HUNT.

>> MR. HUNT THERE ARE ABOUT 11,000 REPUBLICANS IN YOUR DISTRICT THAT VOTED FOR SOMEBODY ELSE IN THE PRIMARILY BESIDES THE TWO OF YOU.

WHAT IS YOUR MESSAGE TO THEM TO GET THEM TO VOTE FOR YOU IN THE RUNOFF.

>> I KNOW I'M THE ONLY CANDIDATE IN THIS RACE WHO CAN DEFEAT SANFORD BISHOP ONCE AND FOR ALL.

30 YEARS THE DEMOCRATIC INCUMBENT HAS BEEN IN OFFICE AND HAS NOT DONE ANYTHING FOR OUR DISTRICT.

IT IS TIME TO FINALLY DEFEAT HIM AND RESTORE INTEGRITY AND HONOR IS AND HAVE SOMEBODY WHO IS A LEADER TO GO TO WASHINGTON.

MY PLEA IS THIS.

I'M THE GUY WHO CAN BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER.

I'M ENDORSED BY OUR FARMERS.

FARMERS ALL ACROSS THE DISTRICT WHO HAVE SUPPORTED ME.

I HAVE THE MOST SHERIFFS WHO HAVE GOTTEN BEHIND ME AND PARTNER WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND I'M THANKFUL TO BE ENGAGED WITH DIFFERENT CHURCHES AROUND THE COMMUNITY.

SON OF A PASTOR.

AND I'VE BEEN INVOLVED IN CHURCHES ALL AROUND OUR DISTRICT TALKING ABOUT THE ISSUES.

WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO BRING TOGETHER THE COALITION THAT IT WILL TAKE TO DEFEAT SANFORD BISHOP AND I'M THE CANDIDATE WHO CAN DO IT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

NICK WOOTEN, IT IS NOW YOUR TURN TO ASK A QUESTION TO CHRIS WEST.

>> MR. WEST, YOUR FAMILY OWNS AND OPERATES A THIRD GENERATION AGRICULTURAL BUSINESS IN THE DISTRICT.

WHAT POLICIES WOULD YOU CHAMPION IN CONGRESS TO BE A BETTER FRIEND TO THE FARMER THAN SANFORD BISHOP?

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.

AGRICULTURE IS CRITICAL TO THIS DISTRICT.

AND WE KNOW IT BECAUSE WE HAVE LIVED IT.

OUR FAMILY HAS BEEN IN IT FOR GENERATIONS.

ACTUALLY GOING BACK BEFORE THAT.

BUT THE BUSINESS IS THIRD GENERATION.

AND OUR FARMERS -- OUR FARM FAMILIES ARE HAVING -- WE'RE STRUGGLE, WE'RE IN PERILOUS TIMES BECAUSE OF WHAT IS COMING OUT OF WASHINGTON RIGHT NOW.

THE POLICIES, GAS PRICES, DIESEL FUEL IS THROUGH THE ROOF.

FARMERS DON'T NOW HOW THEY ARE GOING PAY FOR FERTILIZER OR DIESEL.

THEY HAVE MONEY FOR ONE BUT NOT THE OTHER.

WE HAVE GOT TO FIRST PUSH BACK AGAINST THE BIDEN POLICY AGENDA THAT IS HURTING OUR BUSINESSES AND OUR FAMILIES.

AND THAT IS THE FIRST THING WE'RE GOING TO DO WHEN WE GET TO WASHINGTON.

>> MR. ROSS, YOUR FIRST QUESTION FOR CHRIS WEST.

>> SAME WHAT IS THE MESSAGE TO THE 20,000 PEOPLE IN YOUR DISTRICT REPUBLICAN VOTE WHO ARE HAD A DIFFERENT FIRST CHOICE?

>> YEAH, SO I'M PROUD I'VE BEEN ENDORSED BY THREE OF THE OTHER FORMER OPPONENTS IN THIS CASE.

WAYNE JOHNSON, VIVIAN CHILDS.

AND PAUL WHITEHEAD.

AND THEY HAVE STEPPED UP AND ENDORSED US BECAUSE THEY KNOW THAT I AM THE PROVEN CONSERVATIVE THAT CAN WIN THIS RACE AND BEAT SANFORD BISHOP.

SO MY MESSAGE TO YOU, IF YOU ARE A VOTER WHO VOTED FOR ONE OF THE OTHER FOLKS IN THE RACE.

GET INFORMED.

TAKE A LOOK AT BOTH OF US.

I INVITE YOU TO GO FACEBOOK AND LOOK AT MY SOCIAL MEDIA HISTORY.

YOU WILL FIND ABOUT 17 OR 18 YEARS WORTH OF SOCIAL MEDIA HISTORY WHERE YOU WILL SEE THE ISSUES THAT I'VE STOOD ON.

YOU WILL FIND THAT I'M A PROVEN CONSERVATIVE.

THEN I ASK YOU GO TAKE A LOOK AT JEREMYS AND I WHAT SEE THAT IS ALL FINE, I KNOW YOU WILL FIND, YOU WILL SEE I'M THE PROVEN CONSERVATIVE AND I MOST REPRESENT YOUR VALUES.

I NEED YOUR HOPE.

I NEED YOUR VOTE.

>> CAN I RESPOND TO THAT?

>> YEAH.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AS WE KNOW CHRIS HAS ALREADY BEing WITH HIS LIES.

IF GO BACK YOU CAN SEE I'VE BEEN FIGHT OR CONSERVATIVE VALUES ALL OVER SINCE I WAS A YOUNG KID FIGHTING IN GEORGIA KNOCKING ON DOORS TO FIGHT FOR TRUTH.

YOU CAN SEE ALL THROUGH FOX NEWS THE DIFFERENT THINGS I'VE PUT OUT THERE CAN OP EDS I'VE WRITTEN.

I'M THE ONLY CANDIDATE WHO ACTUALLY PUBLISHES WHERE I STAND ON CANDIDATES.

ON OUR WEBSITE YOU CAN SEE WHERE I'VE STOOD AND WHERE I'VE BEEN ALL MY LIFE T LAST SEVERAL YEARS.

THANK YOU.

>> AND YOU GET THE FINAL QUESTION FOR MR. HUNT.

>> MR. HUNT, YOUR ADDRESS HAS BEEN A TOPIC OF DISCUSSION THROUGH THE PRIMARY AND EVEN THROUGH THE RUNOFF.

STATE RECORDS SHOW YOU REGISTERED TO VOTE IN MUSCOGEE COUNTY IN FEBRUARY 2022.

YOUR OPPONENTS HAVE ALLEGED YOU WERE HAND PICKED BY D.C. ELITES TO RUN IN THIS RACE THAT AND THAT YOU HAVE NO CONNECTION TO THE DISTRICT.

CAN YOU RESPOND TO THAT CRITICISM.

>> THANK YOU FOR BRINGING THAT UP, NICK.

CHRIS AND EVERYONE HAVE BEEN RUNNING A COMPLETE NEGATIVE ATTACK ON ME FROM THE BEGINNING THAT IS FULL OF LIES.

IE A SIX GENERATION GEORGIAN.

MY GRANDMA WAS BORN IN SOUTH GEORGIA.

HER GRANDPARENTS WERE FREE SLAVES THAT LITERALLY WORKED THE LAND IN SOUTH GEORGIA.

I LEFT THE STATE BECAUSE THE ARMY SENT ME.

I WENT TO WEST POINT.

AND ANYONE WANT TO ATTACK THAT SERVICE, I'M VERY PROUD OF THAT AND ALSO DOWN TO FORT BENING WHERE I LIVE WITH MY LIVE WITH MY WIFE IN COLUMBUS.

AND ALSO WENT TO UKRAINE.

I'M PROUD TO STAND OF THAT RECORD AND PROUD OF ALL THE FOLKS IN OUR DISTRICT WHO HAVE SIGNED UP TO SERVE IN THE MILITARY, AND I'M THANKFUL WE GOT BACK TO OUR DISTRICT AS SOON AS WE COULD.

>> THAT CONCLUDES THE FIRST ROUND OF THIS DEBATE.

THE CANDIDATES WILL NOW ASK A QUESTION TO THEIR OPPONENT.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE 30 SECONDS TO ASK THE QUESTION.

OF SECONDS TO CORRESPOND.

AND THE CANDIDATE WHO CANDIDATE WHO ASKS WILL HAVE TIME FOR REBUTTAL.

>> YOU SUGGESTED WE TOLD SOME UNTRUTHS.

WE'VE BOTH BEEN IT A CAMPAIGNING AND WORKING HARD IN THE DISTRICT AND IT IS IMPORTANT THE PERSON ELECTED TO REPRESENT THE DISTRICT KNOW THE AREA THEY REPRESENT.

I JUST LIKE FOR YOU TO DEMONSTRATE TO THE AUDIENCE THAT YOU DO IN FACT KNOW THIS DISTRICT AND TELL US WHICH THREE COUNTIES THAT JENKIN, THE CITY OF JENGEN LIES IN.

THE CITY OF PRINTEN LIES IN AND THE CITY OF MOTT.

WHAT COUNTIES ARE THERE.

>> I'M HAPPY YOU BROUGHT THOSE UP I DON'T THINK YOU VISITED ANY OF THEM.

I WON 32 COUNTIES AND CAME IN SECOND THE REMAINING EIGHT.

I'M THE ONLY VISIT, INCLUDING YOURSELF NOT EVEN VISIT THE COUNTIES IN THE DISTRICT.

I WON -- COUNTY BY 70% BECAUSE WE SHOW UP AND THAT IS WHAT OUR CAMPAIGN IS ABOUT, FIGHTING FOR OUR VALUE ASKS RURAL AREAS.

AND PROUD TO SAY I'VE BEEN ENDORSED BY THE SHERIFFS.

THEY SUPPORT ME OVER YOU BECAUSE I THEY KNOW I WILL FIGHT FOR US.

THE CHAIR OF THE SENATE AG COMMITTEE, SENATOR LARRY WALKER WENT OUT OF HIS WAY TO ENDORSE ME OVER YOU BECAUSE HE KNOWS FARMERS CAN TRUST ME.

AND I'VE BEEN ON FARMS THROUGHOUT OUR DISTRICT FIGHTING FOR OUR VALUES.

THEY KNOW THAT AND THAT IS WHY THEY HAVE GOTTEN BEHIND ME.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> MR. HUNT, THE NEXT QUESTION IS FOR YOU.

>> WELL, RECORDS SHOW, CHRIS, THAT YOU TOOK $20,000 OF TAXPAYER MONEY IN THE FORM OF COVID PPT LOANS FOR YOUR LAW FIRM.

OF COURSE THE LAW FIRM ONLY HAS ONE EMPLOYEE, YOU.

SO ARE YOU GOING TO GIVE BACK THE $20,000 THAT YOU TOOK FROM TAXPAYERS IN OUR DISTRICT?

>> SO, YES DURING COVID AND AT A TIME WHEN MY WIFE HAD JUST HAD TWINS AND WAS UNABLE TO WORK WE TOOK ADVANTAGE OF THE PROGRAM THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP HELPED PROVIDE TO BE ABLE TO SUSTAIN OUR BUSINESS.

AND THAT -- THOSE FUNDS HAVE BEEN REPAID.

>> WERE THEY REPAID OR FORGIVEN.

>> THEY WERE FORGIVEN AS PART OF THE PROGRAM.

THAT'S RIGHT.

BUT WHAT JEREMY IS TRYING TO DETRACT FROM HERE IS THE OVER 1.2 MILLION DOLLARS THAT HAS BEEN PAID FROM OUT -- PRIMARILY ABOUT 90% HAVE COME FROM OUTSIDE THIS DISTRICT.

AND WHAT THAT SHOWS IS A POTENTIAL TO BE INFLUENCED LARGELY BY PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT FROM THIS DISTRICT.

WHERE AS ON THE OTHER HAND ABOUT 90% OF THE FUNDS THAT WE'VE RECEIVED IN THIS CAMPAIGN HAVE COME FROM PEOPLE WITHIN THIS DISTRICT.

AND PEOPLE FROM MIDDLE AND SOUTH GEORGIA.

>> MR. HUNT, DO YOU HAVE A REBUTTAL THERE.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

AS YOU CAN SEE CHRIS OBVIOUSLY HAD TO ACKNOWLEDGE THAT HE TOOK $20,000 OF TAX PAIR MONEY, EVEN THOUGH IF YOU LOOK AT HIS PERSONAL FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE HE MAKES CLOSE TO 200,000 A YEAR BUT HE TOOK $20,000 DOLLARS FOR HIS LAW FIRM TO BAIL OUT THAT HAS ONE EMPLOYEE, HIMSELF.

I DON'T THINK WE NEED MORE PEOPLE LIKE CHRIS IN WASHINGTON AND TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE TAXPAYERS.

YOU CAN TRUST ME.

I FIGHT FOR OUR DISTRICT AND I'M GOING THANK YOU ALL FOR PUTTING ME IN FIRST PLACE IN OUR PRIMARY.

WE GOT FINISH THE DEAL ON JUNE 21st.

>> MR. WEST, NOW TIME FOR YOUR SECOND QUESTION.

>> JEREMY, YOU HAVE BEEN ASKED ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE STILL IN LAW SCHOOL.

AND I'D JUST LIKE FOR YOU TO JUST BE OPEN WITH THE PEOPLE OF THE -- THE VIEWERS AND THE PEOPLE OF THIS DISTRICT, ARE YOU STILL IN LAW SCHOOL?

AND WHAT IS YOUR CURRENT EMPLOYMENT STATUS RIGHT NOW.

>> I APPRECIATE THAT QUESTION, CHRIS.

AS YOU KNOW I SERVED IN THE ARMY AS AN ACTIVE DUTY ARMY OFFICER.

GRADUATED FROM WEST POINT.

WENT ON COMMISSION ACTIVE DUTY ARMY INTELLIGENCE OFFICER.

ROSE TO THE RANK OF CAPTAIN AND SERVED FIVE AND A HALF YEARS.

AND AFTER THAT I'M PROUD TO HAVE ENROLLED IN LAW SCHOOL.

AND -- SAME WEEK WHICH I CAME FIRST PLACE IN OUR PRIMARY WINNING 22 OUT OF 30 COUNTY.

VERY PROUD OF THAT AND FULL-TIME ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND WE'RE GOING TO DEFEAT SANFORD BISHOP IN NOVEMBER.

>> I DID MISS A REBUTTAL OPPORTUNITY FOR YOU EARLIER.

I DO WANT TO GIVE YOU AT THIS POINT 60 SECONDS TO RESPOND AT THIS POINT.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.

SO WE NEED SOMEONE WHO IS GOING TO BE FOCUSED ON BEATING SANFORD BISHOP.

GOING TO LAW SCHOOL IS CHALLENGING.

I KNOW BECAUSE I'VE BEEN THERE.

AND FACING YOUR THIRD YEAR OF LAW SCHOOL BRINGS UP A LOT OF QUESTIONS THAT I APPRECIATE JEREMY FINALLY ANSWERING THE QUESTION.

BUT WE NEED SOMEBODY WHO IS GOING TO BE ENGAGED IN BEATING SANFORD BISHOP AND WORKING HARD TO DO THAT.

>> AND OF COURSE GOING TO LAW SCHOOL DID NOT STOP ME FROM VISITING ALL 30 CONTEST IN OUR DISTRICT, SOMETHING MY COLLEAGUE HERE COULDN'T DO.

>> MR. HUNT, YOU GET THE FINAL QUESTION IN THIS ROUND.

>> I JUST WANTED TO GIVE CHRIS ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO JUST EXPLAIN ABOUT THE $20,000 HE TOOK FROM TAXPAYERS BECAUSE OF COURSE RIGHT WHEN HE TOOK THE $20,000 HE THEN WENT ON TO LOAN HIS CAMPAIGN $50,000 OF HIS OWN MONEY IN HIS ATTACK ADS AGAINST ME.

SO SOMEHOW DURING ALL THIS TIME, TOOK $20,000 AND MONTHS LATER SPENT $50,000 FOR YOR CAMPAIGN AGAINST ME.

HOW IS THAT ETHICAL?

YOU ARE A LAWYER.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN THAT THAT.

>> I THINK YOUR TIMELINE IS A LITTLE SKEWED.

WE TOOK THE FUNDS DURING COVID.

>> LAST YEAR.

>> AND THOSE HAVE BEEN FORGIVEN.

AND THOSE WERE NOT FUNDS USED TO PUT INTO MY CAMPAIGN.

SO THAT'S PATENTLY FALSE.

>> OKAY.

JUST MATTER OF MONTHS.

>> -- >> YEAH, SO JUST A MATTER OF MONTHS AFTER RECEIVING $20,000 OF YOUR TAXPAYER MONEY HE WENT AND SPENT THAT $50,000 DOLLAR LOAN TO SUPPORT HIS CAMPAIGN AS ATTACK ADS AGAINST ME.

THAT IS NOT ETHICAL.

WE DESERVE BETTER REPRESENTATION AND WE'VE BEEN DEALING WITH THIS FOR 30 YEARS OF SANFORD BISHOP.

ALL THIS MOVING MONEY AROUND TRYING TO TAKE ADVANTAGE.

MANY VOTERS ASKED ME HOW DO WE KNOW YOU WILL FIENGT FOR US AND WON'T BE SEDUCED BY POWER AND MONEY IN WASHINGTON.

AND YOU CAN SEE RIGHT NOW.

LOOK AT OUR TAX RECORD.

LOOK AT CHRISS.

YOU SEE YOU GET MORE OF THE SAME.

THE D.C.

ESTABLISHMENT POLITICS AS USUAL, NEGATIVE CAMPAIGNING.

WE ARE READY FOR SOMETHING NEW IN OUR DISTRICT AND IT IS GOING TO TAKE SOMETHING NEW TO DEFEAT SANFORD BISHOP.

I'M THE NEXT GENERATION CONSERVATIVE YOU CAN TRUST.

>> I THINK I DESERVE A RESUBTLE THERE.

>> YES.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT.

AGAIN, JEREMY IS TRYING TO DETRACT TO MOVE YOUR ATTENTION AWAY FROM THE FACT THAT HE AND HIS CAMPAIGN HAS EITHER TAKEN OR SPENT ON BEHALF FROM PACS, WASHINGTON, D.C. SPECIAL INTEREST MONEY, $1.2 MILLION.

MY CAMPAIGN HAS SPENT $160,000.

WE WERE OUTSPENT AT A RATIO OF 8/1.

BUT IF YOU LOOK AT THE PRIMARY WHERE THE VOTERS LOOKED AND THEY DETERMINED THAT OUR CAMPAIGN JUST -- THEY ONLY OUT BEAT US BY ABOUT -- THIS WAS 35-30%.

>> THANK YOU SIR.

WE'RE NOW GOING TO MOVE ON TO OUR NEXT ROUND.

THAT CONCLUDES OUR SECOND ROUND.

FOR THOSE OF YOU JOINING US THIS IS THE ONEOFF DEBATE BETWEEN REPUBLICAN CANDIDATES FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT 2.

WE'LL NOW GO BACK TO OUR PANEL TO ASK QUESTIONS OF THE CANDIDATES OF THEIR CHOICE UNTIL WE RUN OUT OF TIME.

AND AS A POINT OF MODERATOR PRIVILEGE I MAY ASK QUESTIONS OF THE CANDIDATES MYSELF AS WELL.

I WILL THEN DETERMINE WHEN A REBUTTAL IS APPROPRIATE.

NICK WOOTEN YOU GET THE FIRST QUESTION.

>> MY QUESTION IS BOTH CANDIDATES REGARDING GUN CONTROL.

PRESIDENT BIDEN STATED HIS MESSAGE PRETTY CLEAR WHAT HE WANTS DONE.

DO YOU SUPPORT A BAN ON AS WELL AS OR HIGH CAPACITY MAGAZINES?

DO YOU SUPPORT YOOURL BACKGROUND CHECKS.

RED FLAG LAWS AND A REPEAL OF IMMUNITY THAT PROTECTS GUN MANUFACTURERS FROM LEGAL LIABILITY IF THEIR WEAPONS ARE USED IN VIOLENCE?

JEREMY YOU FIRST.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

FIRST AND FOREMOST, MY WIFE AND I WE'VE BEEN PRAYING FOR THE PEOPLE IN UVALDE AND THE BUFFALO SHOOTING.

IT IS HORRIBLE WHAT'S HAPPENED IN OUR COUNTRY.

WE CLEARLY HAVE A CRISIS HAVE RIGHT NOW THAT WE HAVE YOUNG BOYS WANTING TO GO AND COMMIT THESE ATROCITIES.

FIRST AND FOREMOST WE NEED TO DO FIST IS OUR SECURE OUR SCHOOLS.

WE HAVE TO INVEST IN LAW ENFORCEMENT TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE FOLKS SECURING AND KEEPING OUR KIDS SAFE.

THAT IS FIRST AND FOREMOST.

SECONDARILY, WE NEED TO INVEST IN MENTAL HEALTH CARE.

WE'VE HAD GUNS IN OUR COUNTRY FOR A VERY LONG TIME.

THAT IS PART OF AMERICAN WAY.

PROTECTING THE SECOND AMENDMENT IS A TOP PRIORITY BUT WHAT HAS CHANGED IN THE LAST FEW YEARS IS YOUNG MEN INFILTRATE ALL THIS NEGATIVITY ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND EVERYTHING.

AND NOW WE HAVE A SERIOUS MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS LEADING TO SOME OF THESE HORRIBLE ZPIBLGABLE ATROCITIES.

BUT I REFUSE TO ACCEPT ANY OF THESE DEMOCRATIC PROPOSALS THAT LAY THE BLAME AT LAW-ABIDING GUN OWNERS IN OUR DISTRICT.

I THINK IT IS WRONG AND WE NEED TO FOCUS ON THINGS THAT WILL ACTUALLY BRING TOGETHER A SOLUTION.

>> YOUR TIME.

MR. WEST.

>> I'M A STRONG SECOND AMENDMENT AND GUN ADVOCATE.

FOR THE FOLKS WHO ARE SECOND AMENDMENT ADVOCATES AND ENJOY THEIR RIGHTS, THEY KNOW THAT THE DEMOCRATS, IT IS THE NEXT THING.

WHATEVER THE NARRATIVE IS, ARE TO TRY AND INFRINGE ON OUR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHT.

AND WE CAN'T GO THERE.

AND I REFUSE TO GO DOWN THE PATH WITH 'EM.

YEAH IT'S TRAGIC WHAT'S HAPPENED THE SHOOTING RECENTLY AT THE SCHOOL IN TEXAS.

PUT WE CANNOT GIVE THE DEMOCRATS NOT ONE ATTORNEY OR RHINO, REPUBLICANS THAT WILL LOOK FOR AN OPPORTUNITY TO INFRINGE ON RIGHTS AND TAKE MORE OF OUR MONEY AND SPEND IT SOMEWHERE ELSEWHERE IT DOESN'T NEED TO BE SPEND.

THE STRONGEST, FUR LOOKING FOR SOMEBODY TO PROTECT YOUR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHT.

THAT'S CHRIS WEST.

THAT'S ME.

IF YOU WANT TO VOTE TO SECURE, TO PROTECT, NO EQUIVOCATIONS, YOUR SECOND AMENDMENT RIGHT.

VOTE FOR CHRIS WEST.

>> ROSS WILLIAMS, YOUR TURN.

>> ALONG THE SAME LINING FOR BOTH OF YOU.

GIVEN YOU BOTH SAY YOU ARE STRONG SECOND AMENDMENT DEFENDERS.

WHAT CONCRETE STEPS COULD YOU TAKE TO STOP MASS SHOOTING OR PROTECTION AMERICANS FROM THEM?

>> I THINK THE BEST WAY TO PROTECT SOMEBODY AGAINST VIOLENCE WITH A GUN IS WITH YOUR OWN RIGHT TO PROTECT YOURSELF WITH YOUR OWN WEAPON.

IN THE EVENT OF SCHOOL SHOOTINGS, I WOULD SAY LET'S MAKE SURE THAT WE HAVE TEACHERS AND PERSONNEL THAT CAN HAVE A RIGHT TO DEFINED THEMSELVES.

YOU KNOW WHIFR GO ONTO THE BASE AS A NATIONAL GUARDSMAN AT ROBBINS AIR FORCE BASE, I HAVE TO LEAVE MY CONCEALED WEAPON AT HOME.

I DO THAT TO ABIDE THE LAW, BY THE D.O.D.

POLICY SET DOWN.

BUT I FEEL LESS SAFE WHENEVER I DO THAT.

SO FOR ME HAVING AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE ABLE TO PROTECT MYSELF, I WANT TO PROVIDE THAT OPPORTUNITY FOR MORE AMERICANS.

AND I APPLAUD OUR LEGISLATURE FOR WHAT THEY HAVE DONE HERE IN GEORGIA TO PASS CARRY.

LOT OF GUYS WORKED ON IT AND FORTUNATELY ABLE TO GET THAT PASSED HERE IN GEORGIA FOR CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY.

I THINK THAT IS A GREAT STEP.

>> MR. HUNT?

>> FIRST AND FOREMOST WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE WE'RE GETTING THE MENTAL HEALTH CARE FOR OUR KIDS.

RIGHT NOW SEVERAL PARTS OF OUR DISTRICT, WE WERE DOWN IN -- AND FOLKS EXPLAINING HOW THID THEY HAD TO DRIVE OVER AN HOUR TO EVEN SEE A DOCTOR.

ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE IS A MAJOR --.

MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE NUMBER ONE.

SECONDLY, WE HAVE TO FUND OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

REMEMBER SANFORD BISHOP WENT ALONG WITH THE WHOLE DEMOCRAT GAME GOING ON SAYING WE HAVE TO DEFUND THE POLICE.

WE IN SECOND DISTRICT.

WE STAND TO SUPPORT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT.

AND I'M THANKFUL TO RECEIVE THE ENDORSEMENTS OF SIX SHERIFFS AROUND OUR DISTRICT WHO TRUST ME TO MAKE SURE THAT WE WILL FUND OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND THAT IS A NUMBER ONE PRIORITY.

AND SO THOSE ARE THE TYPES OF THINGS THAT WE HAVE TO DO TO COME TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE THAT WE DON'T HAVE THESE TYPES OF HORRIBLE ATROCITIES BEING COMMITTED ANYMORE.

>> NICK WOOTEN.

TO YOU.

>> JEREMY, YOU BROUGHT UP MEDICAL ACCESS.

I ACTUALLY HAVE A QUESTION ABOUT THAT THAT I'D LIKE TO ASK.

MANY RESIDENTS IN SOUTHWEST GEORGIA HAVE LIMITED ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE.

THE SOUTHWEST GEORGIA REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER CLOSED IN OCTOBER 2020 IN THE MIDDLE OF THE PANDEMIC.

WHAT POLICIES WOULD YOU SUPPORT TO EXPAND ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE QUALITY HEALTHCARE?

AND WOULD THAT INCLUDE EXPANDING MEDICAID?

THIS IS FOR BOTH CANDIDATES BUT I'M ASKING MR. WEST TO GO FIRST.

>> FEDERAL EXPANSION, NO.

I DON'T -- USUALLY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GETS INVOLVED TO EXPAND SOMETHING, THAT HAS A NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCE ON THE PEOPLE OF THIS COUNTRY.

RURAL HEALTHCARE, CRITICAL.

IT IS ABSOLUTELY -- SOMEBODY WHO HAS LIVED MY ENTIRE LIFE IN SOUTHWEST GEORGIA, IT IS SOMETHING THAT I UNDERSTAND.

SOME OF THE COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENTS THAT OUR COMPANY HAS DONE AS ACTUAL BEING ABLE TO PROVIDE A WAY TO PROVIDE JOBS SUSTAINABILITY IN COMMUNITIES ARE THAT HURTING ECONOMICALLY THE PAST SEVERAL YEARS AND WE'VE BEEN ABLE TO CREATE JOB OPPORTUNITIES AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT THAT HAS ALLOWED HOSPITALS TO BE SUSTAINABLE.

THE MEDICAL COLLEGE I'M THINKING OFF HAND WHERE WE DID A GROCERY STORE DEVELOPMENT TO HELP SUSTAIN THE COMMUNITY.

IN ADDITION TO OTHER RETAIL JOBS THAT HAVE BEEN PROVIDED TO HELP ALLOW TO PROVIDE FOR MORE DOCTORS SO MORE DOCTORS WOULD BE ABLE TO STAY IN MIDDLE AND SOUTH GEORGIA AND BE ABLE TO PROVIDE ADEQUATE HEALTHCARE.

>> THAT IS YOUR TIME, SIR.

MR. HUNT?

>> FIRST AND FOREMOST WE HAVE TO CREATE OPTIONS.

I WAS JUST TALKING TO ONE OF MY FRIENDS A FARMER DOWN IN MITCHELL COUNTY WHO WAS EXPLAINING HOW SO MANY FARMERS RIGHT NOW HAVE TO MAKE A CHOICE WITH EMPLOYEES.

EITHER THEY CAN GO AND GIVE THEM OBAMACARE OR THEY HAVE TO END UP SPENDING ALL THIS RIDICULOUS AMOUNT OF MONEY IN ORDER TO PROVIDE HEALTHCARE FOR EMPLOYEE.

SO WE HAD TO CREATE OPTIONS SO THERE DOESN'T HAVE TO BE THIS TWO OPTIONS.

THAT'S FIRST AND FOEMS.

WE KNOW AND I'M DEFINITELY A FREE MARKET CAPITALIST.

WHEN WE HAVE MORE OPTIONS, PEOPLE GET BETTER HEALTHCARE AND BETTER ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE.

THAT'S GOT TO BE NUMBER ONE.

AND TWO, RURAL HEALTHCARE.

WE HAVE START SHOWING UP.

WE DID THE WORK OF SHOWING UP.

TALK ABOUT COMFORT.

WE'RE GOING TO BE IN COMFORT NEXT WEEK.

LOVE ANYBODY TO COME AND JOIN US.

WE'RE GOING TO BE THERE AT A COFFEE SHOPTALKING ABOUT THE ISSUES AND LISTENING.

WE CAN'T HAVE PEOPLE COMING INTO OUR DISTRICT AND SAYING WE'RE GOING TO BUILD A HOSPITAL AND ALL THESE PROMISES SHE HAS NO INTENTION OF KEEPING.

SANFORD BISHOP HAS GIVEN THE SAME LINES IF ARE 30 YEARS, WHILE OUR RURAL COMMUNITIES HAVE SEEN THEIR COMMUNITIES CRUMBLE.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> ROSS WILLIAMS WOULD YOU BRING US OUR NEXT QUESTION?

>> ACTUALLY HAVE A FOLLOW UP.

>> OKAY.

GO AHEAD.

>> JUST TO CLARIFY.

JEREMY WOULD YOU SUPPORT EXPANSION OF MEDICAID?

>> NO.

I SUPPORT MORE OPTIONS AND DO THAT FREE MARKET, GETTING THE GOVERNMENT OUT OF THE WAY SO OUR PEOPLE CAN GET ACCESS TO HEALTHCARE AND DON'T HAVE TO DRIVE HOURS TO GET TO A HOSPITAL.

THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN DO RIGHT NOW MAKE THAT A REALITY.

>> MR. WEST, IS THERE A REBUTTAL FOR YOU?

>> NO.

>> OKAY.

ALL RIGHT.

ROSS NOW TO YOU FOR THE FINAL QUESTION.

>> I'D LIKE TO ASK BOAST OF YOU STARTING WITH MR. HUNT.

IN YOUR CONVERSATIONS WITH VOTERS IN YOUR DISTRICT, WHAT WAYS ARE INFLATION AFFECTING THEIR LIVES?

AND WHAT CAN YOU DO IF YOU ARE ELECTED TO HELP AE LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT THAT?

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WELL WE KNOW RIGHT NOW OUR FARMERS ARE PAYING FOUR TIMES AS MUCH FOR FERTILIZER.

AND DIESEL COSTS ARE SKY HIGH.

AND THEY ARE PAYING -- ITS GOTTEN OUT OF CONTROL BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT WE HAVE A PRESIDENT, JOE BIDEN WHO DECLARED WAR ON AMERICAN ENERGY HIS FIRST DAY IN OFFICE AND IS NOT ALLOWING US TO DRILL HERE TO CREATE THE SOIL WE CAN GET OUR GAS PRICES DOWN.

THERE ARE THINGS WE CAN DO.

>> THAT'S YOUR TIME, SIR.

MR. WEST?

>> I APPROACH THIS QUESTION AS A BUSINESS GUY.

SOMEONE WORKING IN THIS ECONOMY AND HAVE SEEN SUBCONTRACTORS.

CHALLENGED IT, HOW ARE THEY GOING TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE FOR EMPLOYEES, ROOFERS, ELECTRICIANS, FOLKS THAT WORK FOR THEM.

WORRIED ABOUT HOW THEY ARE GOING TO GET TO WORK WITH THESE 4 OR $5 GALLON A GAS AND DIESEL PRICES AND IT IS HURTING OUR FOLKS BUT THAT IS WHY THERE IS A RED WAVE COMING.

THAT IS WHY WE'RE GOING TO BEAT SANFORD BISHOP.

THAT IS WHY I'M THE RIGHT GUY TO DO IT BECAUSE I UNDERSTAND THESE BUSINESSES, THESE SMALL BUSINESS MEN AND WOMEN AND THE HURT THEY ARE FEELING.

AND WE'RE GOING TO PUSH BACK AGAINST THIS BIDEN POLICY AGENDA.

>> MR. WEST, THAT IS YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH.

THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE NOW FOR QUESTIONS.

AT THIS POINT EACH CANDIDATE WILL NOW HAVE 60 SECONDS FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT.

JEREMY HUNT YOU GET THE FIRST CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR BEING HERE AND TUNING IN AT HOME.

LET ME TELL YOU THIS.

RIGHT NOW I KNOW THAT YOU ARE SUFFERING.

I KNOW THAT OUR STREETS ARE BEING COMPLETELY, TERRORIZED BY CRIME IN COLUMBUS AND MACON AND ALBANY.

KNOW OUR SCHOOL SYSTEMS ARE NOT PRODUCING THE OUTCOMES THEY SHOULD BE.

AND STUDENTS ARE NOT GETTING AN ADEQUATE EDUCATION.

HEALTHCARE IS A PROBLEM.

GAS PRICES ARE GOING OCCUPY.

WE ARE LIVING IN JOE BIDEN'S ECONOMY.

THIS YEAR WE HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO FIGHT BACK AND DEFEAT SANFORD BISHOP ONCE AND FRAUL.

I'M THE ONLY PERSON IN THIS RACE WHO CAN MAKE THAT A REALITY.

I CAN BUILD THE COALITIONS IT WILL TAKE TO FLIP THIS SEAT.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO BE ABLE TO DO IT ON OUR OWN.

WE'VE GOT TO GET VOTE WHO ARE ARE WITH US AND ALIGN WITH US IN VALUES.

THAT IS WHY WE'VE BEEN IN CHURCHES AROUND THE DISTRICT FOR THE FIRST TIME NEVER HAD A REPUBLICAN SPEAK AND UNITING PEOPLE AROUND OUR REPUBLICAN VALUES.

HAPPY TO BE ENDORSEMENTED BY FARMERS AND SHERIFFS AND BY YOU.

LET'S FINISH THE DEAL ON JUNE 21st.

>> MR. CHRIS WEST.

YOUR FINAL CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> MY NAME IS CHRIS WEST.

THANK YOU FOR ALLOWING ME TO PARTICIPATE.

I'M AN AMERICA FIRST FIGHTER.

I'M AN OFFICER IN THE AIR FORCE IN THE AIR NATIONAL GUARD.

I'M A JOB CREATOR.

I'M A LOCAL HOME GROWN CONSERVATIVE WITH A PROVEN RECORD.

WHAT WE NEED TO DEFEAT SANFORD BISHOP IS A FIGHTER, SOMEONE WHO IS GOING TO GO UP AND REPRESENT THE MIDDLE AND SOUTHWEST GEORGIA.

NOT SOMEONE WHO HAS JUST MOVED HERE THREE MONTHS AGO, WHO'S BEEN BOUGHT AND PAID FOR BY WASHINGTON, D.C. SPECIAL INTERESTS.

THAT IS NOT WHAT WE NEED.

THAT IS JUST SANFORD BISHOP WITH AN R. BY THEIR NAME.

WE NEED A PROVEN STRONG CONSERVATIVE.

CHECK OUT OUR WEBSITE AT CHRIS WEST GA.COM.

AND CHECK OUT MY SOCIAL MEDIA HISTORY IF YOU WOULD LIKE A CLOSE IN-DEPTH LOOK.

I'M CHRIS WEST AND I'D APPRECIATE YOUR VOTE.

>> THAT CONCLUDES OUR DEBATE.

WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK ROSS WILLIAMS OF THE GEORGIA REPORTER AND NICK WOOTEN WITH THE LEDGER INQUIRY FOR THEIR TIME AND REMINDING ALL VOTERS ELECTION DAY IS TUESDAY JUNE 21st.

OUR THANKS TO THE CANDIDATES FOR BEING WITH US AND AGAIN, IN ADDITION TO OUR JOURNALISTS HERE ON THE PANEL.

ALSO LIKE TO THANK THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB FOR ARRANGE'S TODAY'S DEBATE AND DEBATES THEY WOULD HOLD IN THE FUTURE IT THERE ATLANTAPRESSCLUB.ORG.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THE DEBATE SERIES.

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