Hello.

I'm Archana Seshadri, Atlanta bureau chief for Nexstar Media.

Welcome to the Atlanta Press Club Loudermilk-Young Debate Series from the studios of Georgia Public Broadcasting.

The 2026 debate series was made possible by grants to the Atlanta Press Club from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation and the Robert Charles Loudermilk Foundation.

This is the debate for the Democratic candidates running for Georgia's District five public Service commissioner.

District five covers the western side of the state, as far north as Polk and Cobb counties and down to Peach and Talbot counties.

We have two journalists who will question tonight's candidates.

Emily Jones is a climate reporter for WABE and Griggs.

Christy Schwartz is a climate reporter for the Atlanta Journal Constitution.

I'm going to kick off the debate by asking each of our candidates to introduce themselves and tell you why they should be the next district five public service commissioner candidates.

You'll have 60s to introduce yourselves.

We'll go in alphabetical order, starting with Craig Cupid.

My career and life experiences have prepared me for this moment, and I felt an obligation to step up.

Born and raised in Augusta, Georgia to parents who immigrated from Trinidad and Tobago.

My dad, an electrician, my mom, a veteran, an office worker, a working class family where every penny counted and we had to weigh energy bills and other necessities, necessities like groceries.

I had a career as an electrical engineer working on complex data and telecom, telecommunications issues, and also a career as an intellectual property attorney for over 15 years, working on technology such as artificial intelligence, electric vehicles, and renewable energy.

When I saw what the SCS decisions were doing to families just like mine, I felt like I had to step up.

I'm running for public Service Commission, district five.

Craig Cupid thank you Craig.

Thank you.

We have Sheila Edwards next.

Good evening everyone.

My name is Sheila Edwards and I earned the trust and support of the community in 2022.

When I ran for Public Service Commissioner, winning that race without a runoff.

Unfortunately, our races were taken off the ballot by the state, but I am back now to finish what we started.

I'm running to be the third vote on the PSC to bring about positive changes for the people of our state.

I'm running because Georgians deserve better than what we're getting in terms of constant rate increases.

I'm back to finish what we started and to work with Patricia.

Excuse me.

Patricia.

Excuse me.

Peter Hubbard and Alicia Johnson.

And bringing about the changes we need on the Public Service Commission.

I'm running because Georgia families deserve better.

I come from humble beginnings.

One of nine children.

But I worked my way through college, came to corporate America, and I've worked in government on a local, state and federal level.

And I've worked in our communities.

Sheila, thank you so much.

That is the time that we have.

Next, we go to Angela Pressley.

Hello, Georgia.

I'm Angela Pressley, a business owner for over 20 years in primary research, public input and other areas as well.

I have spent the last 13 years as an environmental sustainability consultant in waste to energy technologies and in solar.

Additionally, I am a professor at Clark Atlanta University, where I teach what I practice and what I tell my students is there is the status that you have, but there's also the role you have, the role that I'll have on the board is to be analytical, looking at all the issues and making evaluations, being creative in the process.

And so you can count on me to have a holistic plan on the Georgia Public Service Commission.

And hopefully I will be able to explain that more clearly later.

Thank you.

Thank you so much, Angela.

And might I also add a very colorful crew of everyone here in the studio tonight.

So we're excited to kick off the debate.

Now for the full set of debate rules, you can visit Atlanta Press club.org.

And let's get started.

We'll go to the panel starting with Emily Jones, who will ask a question for Craig Cupid.

Once again, you'll have 60s to craft your response.

Emily.

Sure.

So as you mentioned, your background is in electrical engineering and in law rather than in politics.

But, you know, the politics side of the Public Service Commission, working with other commissioners, working with other state leaders, is really key in getting policy through.

How would you navigate that aspect of the job?

Yes, very, very important question, and thank you for asking it.

Um, one of the major things that we need to do is get a, get a majority on the PSC.

Right now we have two commissioners who are ratepayer focused, but two commissioners can't make a decision.

Three commissioners, can I I've spoken with Alicia.

I've spoken with Peter.

I know that they are for the people, for the ratepayer.

We are aligned.

And I feel like we'll be able to, um, get regulations and rules passed appropriately.

All right.

Thank you so much.

Next we go to Christie.

You'll have a question to ask Angela Pressley.

Okay.

Yes, ma'am.

Um, I heard you say that you would be taking kind of a holistic approach and taking a look at all of the issues as you would make your decisions if you were elected public service commissioner.

Um, when I've spoken with other candidates and I'm I have a feeling you would agree, um, they're saying going into this election cycle, utility bills and how much Georgians are paying is one of the top issues.

So as you know, utility bills are complicated.

And there are many factors that play into why someone's bill is what it is.

So if a constituent came to you and asked you to explain their power bill, what would you tell them?

Well, one of the things that I promised to do when I'm Commissioner is to visit all five districts to evaluate the housing stock and the grid, because we have rolling brownouts, we have blackouts.

And yes, a lot of our customers or our constituents, um, houses are older.

And so we need to take a look at those holistically so that we can evaluate who needs what and then bring resources to those issues so that we can clear those up and lower the bills.

That's what's going to lower the bills.

Being able to evaluate the housing stock and what their what energy is leaving and, and the age of the House, but also checking to see if we have solar.

We need more solar and battery storage, which is what we are missing.

That would also lower the rates as well as taking off the backs of us.

That $16 billion that Georgia Power was granted.

All right.

Thank you so much.

And last, we go back to Emily.

Please ask a question now for Sheila Edwards.

Yeah.

I'd like to talk about your background as well.

As you discussed.

You've worked in organizing and advocacy, but not in, um, the kind of really technical, uh, uh, issues around utilities and electricity that the Public Service Commission deals with.

So I'm curious how you would navigate the, the more technical side of the work that the PSC does.

Well, I thank you for that question, but I'd like to correct you.

I have worked in a technical environment.

I was a public writer at Kennedy Space Center for engineering giant Lockheed on the space shuttle program.

So I worked with engineers, technicians, NASA, all of the disciplines that bring about safety and return to flight.

So I have a very strong background when it comes to understanding technical, technical documentation, analyzing those documents and bringing about bringing about some changes.

But my most important thing that I have is community engagement.

I didn't wake up yesterday deciding I wanted to be a PSC person.

I ran in 2022 because I knew what was going on was wrong.

I knew that those high bills placed on seniors and working families was not right, and I wanted to do something about it.

And like I said, I'm back to finish the job and with the voters help, I will join, uh, Alicia and Peter in bringing about the changes that we need on the Public Service Commission.

That means lowering the rates for families, for children, for seniors, for veterans, and especially for those on medical equipment that are essential.

That concludes our time for this first round.

Thank you all to the candidates as well as our panelists.

Now, the candidates are going to be asking a question of their choice to one of their opponents.

Now you'll have 30s to do so to ask the question, then 60s for that person to respond.

And then the person who asked the question will get a 32nd rebuttal.

We'll start with Angela.

You may ask the first question to one of your opponents.

So please specify the question and the person you want to address it to.

Okay, I'd like to direct my question to Mr.

Cupid.

Um, Mr.

Cupid, um, it's my understanding that you are on sabbatical from, um, your legal career, and I was wondering, why haven't you been at the Georgia Public Service Commission at the, in the past two years advocating using your background to help us?

Um, make changes for energy policies?

The ten, the ten gig and the 16 billion.

We didn't see you there.

Yes.

Thank you for asking that question.

And I have been down at the PSC on December 19.

It was a crazy meeting.

We there were it was a packed house and um, the, um, constituents were definitely voicing their opinion and, uh, they got dragged out of there.

So I felt like, um, I have been at a few meetings.

I decided very late that I would run because I didn't see anyone qualified enough to run for the PSC based on the technical nature of the, of the position.

So what I intended to say is why weren't you giving testimony to convince the commissioners that they should be doing something different based on your background?

Very, very, very good question.

Given testimony is one thing.

We've given a lot of testimony.

Um, but that hasn't changed things.

We need a commissioner who is dedicated and who is for the ratepayer.

And that's who I am.

Okay.

Well, I'd just like to say that I have been there for the past two years advocating for ratepayers.

And I also have that technical background as an environmentalist.

So I don't think that's accurate to say that no one else has that background.

Also, I have the passion and been listening to the ratepayers all this time, working with a number of organizations, environmental organizations to right the wrongs that the commission has made decisions for.

All right.

Thank you so much, Angela and Craig.

You can now ask one of your opponents a question.

Again, you get 30s.

I'll get 60s to craft a response, and then you will be allocated a 32nd rebuttal.

My question is for Miss Edwards.

Miss Edwards, you've mentioned multiple times as we've been on the campaign trail, and now that you've done work with NASA engineers and just want to get some more specifics on that.

So what was the technical issues that you were doing, and did you do any engineering in those roles?

Thank you for the question.

I worked with engineers across all disciplines.

Uh, right after challenger blew up, we had to return to flight and only when we were able to create documentation to return the flight where we allowed by the government to do so.

So I chaired review meetings with NASA engineers, Lockheed engineers, and other disciplines to make sure that the information that was going into those documents were correct.

And I cross-referenced those that information with all the other disciplines in order to create documentation.

And I had engineers coming back to me after the fact and saying, can we put this in?

Can we put that in?

I'm like, no, you got to go back to the source and make sure everybody's clear on what's going on with these documents so that when we fly again, we launch back into space.

We want to have the same situation that happened with challenger.

So yeah, I was very highly involved with the technical side and understanding the engineering terminology, the analytics.

I was involved in all of that because you can't create documentation unless you have a working knowledge of what's.

Going on, allocates your time.

Craig, would you like to respond as a counter rebuttal?

Yes.

So it seems mostly what you were saying is that you had you organized the information that engineers gave to you, but you didn't do any specific engineering tasks.

Is that correct?

No, I didn't organize any information.

We we had review meetings.

Everyone came and put their information on the table.

I reviewed that information.

I worked with quality and safety to make sure their information was correct, and only then were we able to produce documents.

So I was a gatekeeper.

So NASA didn't have the power.

Lockheed didn't have the power.

The power rested with my office and my decision making and my signature on those final documents that they were approved to return to flight.

All right.

That's all the time that we have.

And, Miss Edwards, if you would like to now craft your question again, 30s to craft the question, please be specific on who you're asking the question to, and they will get a 62nd time to answer your question.

Thank you.

Um, we all have professional backgrounds that we can be proud of and we can tout.

But beyond that, what direct community based work have you personally done on housing, economic development, environmental impact or energy alternatives to demonstrate accountability to the people most affected?

And can you point to a specific project, initiative or measurable outcome where you where your work has improved the quality of life for anyone in Georgia, environmental, environmental outcomes or energy affordability in a Georgia community across our state?

Craig.

Yes, thank you for that question.

And I as as you know, my background is intellectual property innovation.

So I worked with national groups on strategy with regards to innovation throughout this, um, this United States also locally, I worked with the organization called the Georgia Intellectual Property Alliance, where we worked with K through 12 to really craft programs to foster innovation as well.

So programs all over the state of Georgia to make sure youth understood the power that innovation has and how that can get you out of poverty.

All right.

Thank you all to our candidates for those questions and those responses.

And welcome back.

If you are watching and joining us, this is the Democratic primary debate for the Georgia District five Public Service Commission.

This is a statewide race that everyone will vote in.

We'll now go back to our panel.

We'll ask questions to the candidates of their choice until we run out of time.

Emily, we'll start with you.

I'm going to start with a question for all of the candidates about one of the biggest issues in Georgia, and certainly facing the PSC, which is data centers.

They've obviously been top of mind for a lot of people, including the PSC, because of the amount of energy, uh, that the amount of energy demand that Georgia Power is predicting from data centers.

So I'd love to hear from all of you.

Has the PSC thus far done enough to protect ordinary ratepayers from the costs of the infrastructure being built to serve data centers?

And if the answer to that question is no, then what more would you do as a commissioner to protect ratepayers?

I can start with that question.

So absolutely not.

The Commission has not done enough to protect ratepayers from data centers and their costs.

In fact, they approved $16 billion, which would end up being $50 billion on the backs of the ratepayers.

The $16 billion was just the start.

Additionally, that was a very reckless decision in light of the lack of water that we have in Georgia in in light of the lack of renewable energy that we also have in Georgia.

So there are no fail safes.

There are fires and there are fires, there are wars.

And we're so dependent on oil and gas.

And if that 16 billion is pushed through, we will be cooked.

And so what I plan to do is crawl back that decision so that we're more responsible to the ratepayers and ourselves, that we won't suffer the damages of health.

All right.

That's all the time we have for that.

Mr.

Cupid, we'll go to you to answer that question on data centers.

Yes.

You gave a great answer, and I agree with what she said as well.

But I want to be specific.

2025 we, the PSC, provided rules on what data centers could do.

For example, there was a rule for 15 year contract.

Right.

And it makes it makes sense on the surface, but you have to read the fine print.

The fine print is they have a two year out where they just can do the minimum.

So we can build an energy plant for that last 30 plus years, but they only have two years.

Um, that, that they have to pay minimum balances.

So we need to write that again, as an attorney, reading that fine print will make sure that there is no loopholes.

You can drive a truck through.

Thank you.

And Miss Sheila Edwards.. Well, I agree with Mr.

Presley that, um, the PSC needs to do more and they need to do more because the public expects more.

They expect the Public Service Commission to protect the public.

And it doesn't happen like that.

And unfortunately, we have politicians, people that we elected to protect our communities.

Jumping on board with the data centers, um, giving opinions on data centers in the communities and not talking to the community about it.

So, and we also have lawyers, politicians, other folks who are, um, on the data center payrolls.

And we have to peel the onion.

We have to see who's actually getting benefits from these things that are coming to our communities.

And if you look at a lot of the data centers, they're south of I-20, they're going into marginalized communities of black and brown people.

They're not going to Alpharetta or Buckhead or Sandy Springs.

So you have to watch where that's going.

So I've been a champion of people.

I've been a champion of quality of life, and I will be a champion on the Public Service Commission.

That's all the time that we have for.

Thank you for your response.

A lot of discussion about data centers and how they could impact your wallet.

Let's now go back to our panel.

Kristi Swartz, your turn to ask a question to our candidates.

Um, and I'm going to stick with that data center topic for the reason that you said, and this is for all three of you also, um, kind of as a follow up.

So there's been a big push in Washington for to have data center operators supply their own electricity in efforts to keep customers insulated from those costs.

So Georgia Power likely would oppose this because this runs counter to their business model as a regulated monopoly.

Um, so what do you think about requiring the data centers to take full responsibility for supplying their own electricity?

But more importantly, how would you approach Georgia Power to bring them on board with this?

First, so when we get to three, Georgia Power will then be beholden to us.

And so I'm looking forward to that so that we can have some responsible decisions.

Um, with the Public Service Commission and the decisions that we make.

And would you say that one more time?

Well, how, um, so how are you going to, how are you going to talk to Georgia Power?

Oh yes.

So they'll, they'll be beholden to us.

And at that point we need to integrate at least 52% in renewables.

Texas is enjoying it.

And so should we.

So no, the data center should have their own, um, sources of energy and they should be renewable.

We'll go to Sheila next.

Okay.

Well, I believe that data centers should bring their own resources to bear.

Um, I don't believe in corporate welfare.

We're taking mothers and children off of welfare, but we're steady giving these corporations corporate welfare, and that needs to stop.

And so when it comes to Georgia Power and the data centers, we're going to have to have a conversation.

And I'm a business person, I understand that people want to make money and they want to provide whatever to their shareholders.

But at the end of the day, it cannot continuously be on the back of ratepayers.

We have to come up with a design that's a balance so that ratepayers are paying what they can, especially marginalized communities, making sure that they're not getting their powers turned off in the dead of winter or the hottest days of the summer.

We have to have those conversations with Georgia Power.

And I think they're they're going to turn around and be reasonable people when I'm on the PSC as the third vote, they're going to come to the table and make some decisions that are focused on our communities and our and our seniors and our other people that are bearing the brunt of having to pay these high rates.

It's not fair to our communities.

Greg, we'll now go to you.

Thank you again, Miss Edwards.

Yes, my other candidates made some good points.

I'll be a little bit more specific as well.

When you ask an entity to bring their own power, I think you're it may be better for them to pay for that infrastructure because the Georgia Georgia can reuse that infrastructure rather than them paying for their own power, or rather, bringing their own power and then taking it with them as well.

So, um, there's some intricacies with regards to that, that we need to work out for sure, but it would be better if they paid for the infrastructure for sure.

No doubt.

Who owns that infrastructure should be the people of Georgia though.

All right.

That's all the time that we have from our candidates.

Thank you all so much for your input.

The candidates will now have 60s for a closing statement on why they should win your vote.

Mr.

Cupid, we'll start with you.

This is such an important race.

We have a chance to get a majority of Democrats on the Public Service Commission.

And unlike my fellow candidates who run for nine different offices in the last ten years, I have a unique skill set designed for this particular office.

I'm an engineer.

I can look at the technical submissions provided by the utility and see if they're padding their numbers.

I'm an attorney trained in advocacy and can read the fine print, so no loopholes.

You can drive a truck through, and I'm the son of immigrants raised in Augusta, Georgia, counting every penny.

So I'll never forget.

Who I represent.

And who these decisions affect.

Thank you.

All right.

Thank you all so much.

And we'll now go to Miss Sheila Edwards.

Your closing comments.

Okay.

Over the past several years, the Georgia Public Service Commission has approved repeated rate hikes that have pushed utility bills higher and higher and higher.

And unlike the lawyers that are running in this race, who have represented data centers, I do not stand for data centers.

I believe they serve a purpose.

But that purpose does not supersede people.

So, um, when I talk about accountability, that accountability comes from public officials and from lawyers who are now trying to make us believe that somehow they're the person for PSC, they're not.

And so when we turn around and we make decisions on, on, uh, who's going to represent you peel the onion, see who's been supporting data centers and see who's been supporting who.

Data centers have been supporting.

And when you see that information, when the public makes itself smart about that situation, the the choice will be clear that Sheila Edwards is the best choice for public Service Commission.

Sheila Edwards will protect your pocketbooks.

Sheila Edwards will stand up for Georgia.

Thank you.

All right, Sheila, thank you so much.

And last but not least, we'll close it out with Angela Pressley.

You get the final statement.

Thank you so much for listening, Georgia.

As I mentioned earlier, I have been at the PSC making comments and giving testimonies on behalf of you and myself, because I'm a Georgia Power customer as well.

And the reason that I am approaching this holistically is that I'm an environmentalist.

I care about people.

Is key.

And crime in the environment, and that they are going to be well in the environment, which is why I plan to visit all five districts and evaluate the grid, evaluate housing stock.

Also, I'm going to continue to fight, as I have been for solar and battery storage.

As I said, Texas is enjoying 52% in their grid and we should be too.

It's also an economic boon for my college students and other people for high paying jobs.

And lastly, it does not hurt our health the way this oil and gas that eight gas plants and I will be sure that we have an environmental oversight on the data centers so that they don't cause us any harm.

Thank you so much.

My name is Angela Pressley.

Please press Presley today or until May 19.

Thank you.

All right.

Thank you to all of our candidates and to our panelists.

Well, early voting is already underway in Georgia.

Will run until Friday, May the 15th.

Don't forget Election Day is Tuesday, May the 19th, just about three weeks out.

Again, thanking our candidates, our panelists and all of our journalists, we also would like to take a moment to thank the Atlanta Press Club and Georgia Public Broadcasting for arranging this debate.

I'm Archit Seshadri, thank you so much for joining us at the Atlanta Press Club.

Loudermilk Young Series debate.

Have a great day.