>> HELLO AND WELCOME, EVERYONE.

I AM JEFF HULLINGER WITH THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB HERE IN MIDTOWN, ATLANTA.

THIS IS THE PRIMARY DEBATE FOR DEMOCRATS RUNNING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT THIRTEEN.

LET'S MEET THE CANDIDATES.

THEY ARE IN ALPHABETICAL ORDER MARK BAKER, A RETIRED FULTON COUNTY SCHOOL RESOURCE OFFICER.

DR. BAKER DECLINED TO PARTICIPATE IN TODAY'S DEBATE AND IS REPRESENTED BY AN EMPTY PODIUM.

20 YEARS WITH THE STATE DEPARTMENT AND THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE.

BRIAN JOHNSON , A LAWYER AND BUSINESS PROFESSIONAL .

ULOMA KAMA ALSO DECLINED TO PARTICIPATE AND IS REPRESENTED BY AN EMPTY PODIUM.

RASHID MALIK AN ENTREPRENEUR AND FORMER TEACHER.

KAREN RENE SERVED ON THE EASTPOINTE CITY COUNCIL FOR 10 YEARS AND WITH MAYOR PRO TEM.

AND THE INCUMBENT DAVID SCOTT HAS SERVED IN U.S. CONGRESS REPRESENTING DISTRICT THIRTEEN SINCE 2002.

CONGRESSMAN SCOTT ALSO DECLINED TO PARTICIPATE IN TODAY'S DEBATE.

HE IS REPRESENTED BY AN EMPTY PODIUM.

NOW LET'S MEET OUR PANELISTS.

A STATE AND LOCAL POLITICS REPORTER WITH B M&O, CHAUNCEY ALCORN.

PAMELA KIRKLAND AND CURT YEOMANS ACING A REPORTER WITH THE GWINNETT DAILY PULSE.

FOR THE COMPLETE RULES OF TODAY'S PROGRAM PLEASE VISIT THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB WEBSITE ATLANTAPRESSCLUB.ORG.

TO START THE DEBATE EACH CANDIDATE WILL BE ASKED A QUESTION AND PENALTIES HAVE 60 SECONDS TO ANSWER THEIR QUESTIONS.

TO KICK IT OFF HERE IS PAMELA KIRKLAND.

YOU GET THE FIRST QUESTION TO KAREN RENE.

>> COUNCILWOMAN, THE ABSENCE OF CONGRESSMAN SCOTT AS WELL AS SOME OF THE OTHER CANDIDATES HERE TODAY UNDERSCORES THE GROWING TREND OF POLITICIANS DECLINING TO ENGAGE IN FORMS LIKE THIS.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THAT IMPACT HAS ON THE DEMOCRATIC PROCESS?

>> I THINK IT DOES A DISSERVICE TO OUR COMMUNITIES.

IT IS IMPORTANT AT ELECTED OFFICIALS TO BE ENGAGED, AWARE OF WHERE THE RESIDENTS ARE AND TO MAKE SURE WE ARE LISTENING AND BEING INVOLVED.

THIS IS A PROCESS FOR RESIDENTS, OUR CONSTITUENTS, HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO NOT JUST HEAR OUR VOICE, BUT UNDERSTAND WHERE WE ARE GOING IN OUR, PERHAPS, IDEAS OF HELPING OUR COMMUNITIES GROW.

I THINK IT IS A DISSERVICE WHEN OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND OUR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITIES ARE NOT ENGAGED.

>> CURT YEOMANS FROM THE GWINNETT POST, YOU HAVE A QUESTION TO RASHID MALIK.

>> >> YOU POSTED A LOT LATELY ON THE SITUATION IN ISRAEL, CALLING FOR AN INDEPENDENT PALESTINE AND SOME OF THE LANGUAGE USED INCLUDED OCCUPATION AND GENOCIDE.

CAN YOU ALERT A LITTLE MORE ON MIDDLE EAST AND WHAT DO YOU FEEL NEEDS TO BE DONE FOR A LASTING AND PEACEFUL SOLUTION?

>> I WISH I HAD A CHANCE TO SHARE MY CAMPAIGN CARD WITH YOU.

I WILL SHARE IT WITH YOU LATER ON.

I HAVE SEVERAL ISSUES.

AS WE MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PRESENT SITUATION I'VE COME TO THE CONCLUSION WE HAVE TWO MAJOR ISSUES.

ONE, TO HAVE 100% PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND THE WAR.

SECOND, PREVENTING WORLD WAR III.

ONCE WE HAVE WORLD WAR III THERE WILL BE NO ISSUES TO TALK ABOUT.

UNFORTUNATELY, IF WE HAVE OR MAYBE WHEN WE HAVE, I DON'T KNOW, WORLD WAR III, THE NUCLEAR POWER WILL BE HIT AT ALMOST 99%.

AS AN AMERICAN I WILL NOT BE HERE TO TALK ABOUT ANYTHING IF WE CANNOT PREVENT WORLD WAR III.

IN THE HISTORY OF HUMANKIND, I REPEAT, IN THE HISTORY OF HUMANKIND THE RUSSIANS FOR THE FIRST TIME IS FACING THE ISRAELIS.

>> ALL RIGHT, I HAVE TO GET IN HERE MR. MALIK, TO END YOU AT THIS POINT.

YOUR TIME IS UP.

I WANT TO REMIND ALL OF THE CANDIDATES NO PROPS.

DO NOT TROT OUT ANYTHING THAT ADDS TO THE DISPLAY OF WHAT YOUR MESSAGES TODAY.

CHAUNCEY ALCORN, IF YOU WOULD USHER QUESTION TO BRIAN JOHNSON , PLEASE.

>> MR. JOHNSON, COLLEGE STUDENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY HAVE BEEN PROTESTING THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION'S ONGOING SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL IN ITS WAR AGAINST HAMAS, WHICH OF LEFT THOUSANDS DEAD AND MILLIONS MORE STARVING.

THE PRESIDENTS AND DEMOCRATS IN CONGRESS SUPPORTED A $95 BILLION FOR IN A PACKAGE LAST WEEK THAT INCLUDED BILLIONS IN MILITARY AID FOR ISRAEL.

YOUNG PROTESTERS AND FACULTY AT EMORY UNIVERSITY WERE VIOLENTLY ARRESTED AND TASED BY POLICE.

DEMOCRATIC VOTERS WHO SAY THEY WANT THEIR TAX DOLLARS BEING SPENT ON DOMESTIC PROGRAMS THAT HELP THEIR COMMUNITIES HERE IN GEORGIA AND NOT KILLING INNOCENT WOMEN AND CHILDREN IN GAZA?

>> I AGREE WITH THE STUDENTS.

I THINK THERE IS A MASSIVE PARTY PROBLEM BETWEEN THE BASE OF THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY AND THE ACTUAL VOTERS.

I HAVE TRAVELED AROUND THE DISTRICT.

I WAS AT AN EVENT TWO WEEKS AGO IN THE CITY OF ATLANTA TALKING TO YOUNG PEOPLE ON 4/20 DAY AT A PRO-MARIJUANA EVENT.

DEMOCRATIC POLITICIANS RUNNING A PLAYBOOK FROM 1960.

THIS IS 2024, THE BILL CLINTON- BARACK OBAMA DEMOCRATIC PARTY.

THERE IS A MASSIVE DISCONNECT BETWEEN WHAT DEMOCRATS SAY THEY BELIEVE IN THE POLICIES THAT THEY PASS.

THIS ISRAELI POLICY OF BLINDLY SENDING WEAPONS TO ISRAEL AND TELLING VOTERS THEY CANNOT SPEAK UP AND SUPPORT HUMAN RIGHTS FOR PALESTINIANS IS OUTRAGEOUS.

ALL RIGHT.

PAMELA KIRKLAND, WE'RE GOING TO GO BACK TO YOU TO ASK A QUESTION FOR MARCUS FLOWERS .

>> MR.

FLOWERS, YOU DON'T LIVE INTO THE NEWLY DRAWN DISTRICT HOW DO YOU PLAN TO ADDRESS THE CONCERNS OF CONSTITUENTS DESPITE NOT LIVING IN THE BORDERS?

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

PEOPLE SAY I DO NOT LIVE IN THE DISTRICT.

WHAT PEOPLE DO NOT KNOW IF I DID LIVE THERE BEFORE DOD SENT ME ON A MISSION ELSEWHERE.

MY FAMILY LIVES IN THE DISTRICT.

MY NIECES, NEPHEWS, MOTHER, BROTHER AND SISTERS, THE DISTRICT IS ME IN THE FIRST PLACE I LIVED IN GEORGIA.

I PLAN TO MOVE BACK TO THE DISTRICT AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

THANK YOU.

>> MR. YEOMANS, THE NEXT QUESTION YOU HAVE FOR MRS. RENE .

>> MRS. RENE, GWINNETT COUNTY IS EXPECTED TO DO A TRANSIT THIS FALL.

IT IS HEAVILY FOCUSED ON BUSES.

DO YOU BELIEVE THAT IS THE BEST APPROACH FOR PARTICIPATING IN TRANSIT IN METRO ATLANTA?

SHOULD THERE BE REAL INCLUDED?

>> GWINNETT IS ONE OF THE FASTEST GROWING COUNTIES IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA, THE SECOND LARGEST COUNTY IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA NEXT THE FULTON COUNTY.

WITH THE TRANSPORTATION ISSUES THAT GWINNETT IS HAVING, I THINK BUSES IS A GOOD IDEA, BUT I THINK TRANSIT HAS TO BE A PART OF THE NEW TRANSPORTATION PROCESS.

IT IS CRITICAL, BECAUSE WE HAVE A LOT OF YOUNG PEOPLE AND ELDERLY SENIORS WHO ARE ASKING FOR TRANSPORTATION.

THE TRANSPORTATION NEEDS ARE NOT BEING MET.

I WOULD REALLY WANT TO WORK WITH GWINNETT ON THE TRANSPORTATION NEEDS.

IT IS A PART OF THE INFRASTRUCTURE PACKAGE.

BRINGING IN REAL.

IT IS GOING TO BE CRITICAL FOR THE AREA.

>> WE ARE GOING TO MOVE VERY WEEKLY.

CHAUNCEY ALCORN, YOU CAN ASK THE NEXT QUESTION TO MR. MALIK .

>> MR. MALIK, HIGH RENT HAS BEEN PRICING OUT BLACK WINTERS IN ATLANTA WHOSE WAGES ARE NOT KEEPING UP WITH WAGES.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ARE PREVENTED FROM DOING THINGS TO MANIPULATE RENT PRICING.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO AT THE FEDERAL LEVEL TO BRING DOWN PRICES IN GEORGIA?

>> PERSONALLY I HAVE DONE IT ALREADY.

I RUN A COMPANY ON HEALTHCARE.

TO THE BEST OF MY KNOWLEDGE WE PAY THE HIGHEST SALARY, $14 PER HOUR.

I CHALLENGE IT.

YOU CAN CHECK IT OUT.

AS FOR THE FEDERAL INVOLVEMENT WITH HOUSING, I BELIEVE ON LOCAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP, I BELIEVE IN LOCAL GOVERNMENT WE HAVE TO TAKE THE INITIATIVE.

GIVE A BLUEPRINT TO THE FED THAT THIS IS THE MONEY WE NEED TO HAVE A DECENT LIFE IN GEORGIA, IN ATLANTA.

WE JUST TALKED ABOUT GWINNETT.

EVERY DAY YOU CAN FEEL IT, PEOPLE ARE COMING TO GEORGIA.

THERE IS SOMETHING GOOD ABOUT GEORGIA.

WE WOULD ALL LIKE TO KEEP IT THAT WAY.

BY HOUSING FACILITIES, JOB OPPORTUNITIES, THE RIGHT SALARY.

ASK THE ENTREPRENEURS AND THE BUSINESS IS TO CHECK THE MARKET AND OFFER THE RIGHT SALARY AND NOT NINE DOLLARS OR $10 WHERE PEOPLE ARE GETTING $20-$25 ON AMAZON.

IF WE DO NOT COMPETE WITH THE MARKET, WE LOSE OUT.

>> ALL RIGHT, PAMELA KIRKLAND, QUESTION FOR RYAN JOHNSON, PLEASE.

>> MR. JOHNSON, WHAT DO YOU IDENTIFY IS THE MOST PRESSING ISSUE ACING GEORGIA TODAY AND HOW DO YOU PLAN TO ADDRESS IT FROM THE FEDERAL LEVEL?

>> I THINK THE MOST PRESSING ISSUE IS INPATIENT AND THE -- INFLATION AND THEN THE PRICE GOUGING WHERE CORPORATIONS ARE ABSOLUTELY GOUGING VOTERS AND CITIZENS USING THE PANDEMIC AND THE ECONOMY AS AN OPPORTUNITY TO DO THAT.

THE BIGGEST AND FASTEST WAY IS THE TAX THE 1%.

IF YOU TALK TO ANY REASONABLE ECONOMIST THEY WILL TELL YOU THE FASTEST WAY TO BRING INFLATION UNDER CONTROL IS A TAX ON THE 1%.

THE FED FLOODED OUR ECONOMY WITH CHEAP MONEY FOR THE LAST 15 YEARS.

THE 1% HAS TAKEN THAT AND THEY HAVE GORGED THEMSELVES.

THEIR BEHAVIOR HAS CAUSED INFLATION AS WELL.

THE FASTEST THING WE CAN DO IS ATTACK FROM THE 1%.

>> ALL RIGHT, CURT YEOMANS FOR MARK'S FLOWERS.

>> MR.

FLOWERS TWO YEARS AGO YOU RAN AGAINST MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE.

WHY THIS TIME DID YOU TRY TO INSTEAD OF TRYING TO RUN AGAINST HER AGAIN?

>> THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

I RAN AGAINST MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE IN 2020 OR AFTER 2021 BECAUSE OF WHAT I SAW ON JANUARY 6 AND THE PART SHE PLAYED IN SENDING THOSE PEOPLE TO THE CAPITAL.

BECAUSE THEY DECIDED TO STORM THE CAPITAL, I DECIDED TO RUN AGAINST SOMEONE WHO I THOUGHT WAS DANGEROUS, THE EXTREMISTS WHO ARE DANGEROUS.

I WAS DRAWN OUT OF THAT DISTRICT BY REPUBLICANS WHO THOUGHT MAYBE HE IS A THREAT TO MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE.

IT DOES NOT CHANGE THE REASON I AM RUNNING NOW.

I AM WRITING TO PRESERVE OUR DEMOCRACY AND FIX THE PROBLEMS THAT WE HAVE IN OUR DEMOCRACY.

THANK YOU.

>> THAT IS THE END OF THE FIRST ROUND.

THE CANDIDATES WILL NOW ASK A QUESTION TO EACH OTHER.

THE CANDIDATE WHO ASKS THE QUESTION WILL ALSO HAVE 30 SECONDS FOR A REBUTTAL.

YOU MAY POSE YOUR QUESTION TO ANY OF YOUR OPPONENTS.

THAT IS COMPLETELY YOUR DECISION.

INCLUDING THOSE REPRESENTED BY THE EMPTY PODIUM, WE ADD THAT TO THE MIX AS WELL.

RYAN JOHNSON, YOU GET THE FIRST QUESTION.

>> I AM GOING TO BREAK PROTOCOL AND ASK A QUESTION OF SOMEONE WHO IS NOT HERE, CONGRESSMAN DAVID SCOTT.

CONGRESSMAN SCOTT NOT BEING HERE IS THE PERFECT EXAMPLE OF WHAT HE HAS DONE FOR THIS DISTRICT, WHICH IS THE HAVEN'T SHOWN UP FOR US AT ALL.

RATHER THAN ASK ANYONE HERE I AM ASKING CONGRESSMAN SCOTT , WHY ARE YOU A DEMOCRAT?

WHAT IS IT THAT YOU'VE DONE THAT MAKES YOU A DEMOCRAT?

YOU CALL YOURSELF A CONSERVATIVE MODERATE DEMOCRAT, WHAT IS IT THAT YOU BELIEVE ABOUT OUR DISTRICT?

WHAT ARE YOU DOING FOR OUR DISTRICT?

HOW LONG DO YOU PLAN ON HOLDING ONTO OFFICE?

DO YOU PLAN ON DYING OR RETIRING IN OFFICE?

IF THAT IS THE QUESTION AND THE REBUTTAL NOW.

ALL RIGHT.

RASHID MALIK IT IS YOUR TURN TO ASK THE QUESTION.

>> THE QUESTION THAT I WILL ASK TO ALL OF US IN THIS ROOM, WHAT ARE WE DOING TO CREATE 100% PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND IN THE WORLD?

WHAT ARE WE DOING TO PREVENT WORLD WAR III?

THE WORLD CAME TO WORLD WAR III, THIS CLOSE WHEN IRAN AND IRAQ GOT INTO CONFLICT.

WHAT CAN WE DO AS A GROUP?

>> YOU WANT EVERYONE TO ANSWER?

>> THIS IS A COLLECTIVE QUESTION.

>> AND HE REPEAT THE QUESTION ?

>> WHAT CAN WE DO TO HAVE 100% PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND THE WORLD AND HOW CAN WE PREVENT WORLD WAR III?

>> HOW CAN WE PREVENT WORLD WAR III?

HOW CAN PEACE BE CREATED IN THE MIDDLE EAST WHERE THERE HAS BEEN NONE FOR A VERY LONG TIME?

>> I THINK THE FIRST THING WE NEED TO DO IS CALL FOR A CEASE- FIRE.

AFTER THE CEASE-FIRE, I THINK WE NEED A COLLABORATIVE BETWEEN ALL NATIONS, ESPECIALLY IN THE MIDDLE EAST, AND HAVE A CONVERSATION.

ALSO EDUCATION.

WE NEED TO EDUCATE ALL OF US ABOUT WHY THE DISTURBANCES ARE GOING ON, THE CONTINUANCE OF DISTURBANCES ARE GOING ON.

I THINK EDUCATION, I THINK COLLABORATION, AND THAT MEANS WORKING TOGETHER.

AND THEN STARTING WITH THE CEASE-FIRE.

>> MR. JOHNSON, AGAIN THE QUESTION IS HOW TO STOP WORLD WAR III FROM OCCURRING AND HOW TO CREATE A LONG-LASTING PEACE IN THE MIDDLE EAST?

>> THERE'S A LOT BIGGER ISSUE, I THINK NUMBER ONE WE NEED A DRAMATIC SHIFT IN OUR POLICY IN ISRAEL.

WHEN YOU HONEST APPROACH WITH ISRAEL.

WE NEED TO STOP PRETENDING NOT SUPPORTING AND THAT YAHOO AND HIS POLICIES ARE ANTI-SEMITIC RHETORIC IN ISRAEL.

A CEASE-FIRE WOULD BE THE FIRST STEP IN DE-ESCALATING THINGS RIGHT NOW.

>> MR.

FLOWERS, AGAIN THE QUESTION HOW TO PREVENT WORLD WAR III?

THE SECOND PARTIES HOW TO MAKE LASTING PEACE BREAK OUT IN THE MIDDLE EAST?

>> IS SOMEONE WHO SWORE AN OATH TO SUPPORT THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, AS SOMEONE WHO BELIEVES IN DEMOCRACY, I THINK IN ORDER TO STOP WHAT WE WOULD CALL WORLD WAR III IS ENSURE THAT WE SUPPORT DEMOCRACIES LIKE UKRAINE AND ISRAEL ALL OVER THE WORLD.

WE NEED TO CONTINUE THAT FIGHT.

I UNDERSTAND WHERE THIS QUESTION IS COMING FROM.

I THE POOR PEOPLE'S RIGHT TO PROTEST.

I THINK SPECIFICALLY IN ISRAEL WE NEED TO GET BACK TO WORKING ON A TWO STATE SOLUTION AND EXPANDED ABRAHAM ACCORDS IN ISRAEL SO THAT WE CAN HAVE PEACE FINALLY IN THE MIDDLE EAST WITH ALL OF THE COUNTRIES INVOLVED THERE RIGHT NOW.

>> MR. MALIK, YOU GET A REBUTTAL.

YOUR VIEW ON ALL OF THIS .

ANSWER YOUR OWN QUESTION, IF YOU WILL.

>> I BELIEVE IN WHAT THEY TALKED ABOUT.

MY VIEW IS CREATE PEACE THREE TWO STATE SOLUTION IN THE MIDDLE EAST.

ARAB COUNTRIES ARE TREATED LIKE A PIMPLE IN THE BACK.

YOU SCRATCH IT WHENEVER YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE.

GET THIS SUPERPOWER OUT OF THE MIDDLE EAST.

WE CANNOT AFFORD TO HAVE RUSSIA SITTING IN FRONT OF ISRAEL.

>> WE NEED TO WRAP YOU UP RIGHT NOW.

MARCUS FLOWERS , YOU ARE NEXT AT THE PLATE.

>> MY QUESTION IS FOR CONGRESSMAN SCOTT AS WELL.

MR. SCOTT HAS RAISED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS FROM CORPORATE INTEREST, MAGA REPUBLICANS LIKE THE KOCH BROTHER.

HOW CAN WE COUNT ON YOU TO WORK FOR OUR INTEREST AND NOT THOSE OF YOUR BENEFACTORS IN FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS AND THE TRANSITING EXTREMISTS?

>> IN A REBUTTAL TO THAT?

WE ARE ALL SET?

>> I WOULD LIKE TO GET IN ON THAT.

IT IS A GREAT QUESTION.

IT IS A RHETORICAL QUESTION BECAUSE WE KNOW DAVID SCOTT IS NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING DIFFERENTLY.

HE'S HOPING TO SNEAK INTO OFFICE ONE MORE TIME.

LET ME GET ONE MORE SHOT UNTIL I DIE IN OFFICE OR MAYBE PASS IT OFF LIKE IT IS A CIGARETTE.

>> KAREN RENE, YOU GET THE FINAL QUESTION.

>> MY QUESTION IS TO MR.

FLOWERS.

EXPLAIN YOUR EXPERIENCE AND LEGISLATION WRITING POLICIES ?

I HAVE BEEN ELECTED FOR 2 YEARS, I HAVE A LOT OF GREAT AND I'VE ALSO BEEN WRITING POLICIES AND LEGISLATIONS FOR COMMUNITIES.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN YOUR EXPERIENCE?

>> I TAKE IT THAT WILL MAKE ME FIT FOR CONGRESS?

I WOULD LOVE TO EXPLAIN THAT.

I AM NOT SOMEONE WHO JUST LEARNED TO SHOOT GUNS IN THE MILITARY.

MY BACKGROUND IS IN LOGISTICS AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE, SOMETHING THAT TAUGHT ME HOW TO ACCOMPLISH MISSIONS EFFECTIVELY AND EFFICIENTLY WHILE ALSO OPERATING UNDER PRESCRIBED GUIDELINES.

I HAVE DONE THIS FOR 30 YEARS AS A SOLDIER, DEFENSE CONTRACTOR AND GOVERNMENT OFFICIAL, I'M PROBABLY THE ONLY PERSON HERE ON STAGE WHO HAS GIVEN MONEY OR PUT MONEY BACK INTO THE TREASURY FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, WRITTEN REPORTS TO CONGRESS IN ORDER TO GET THINGS PASSED THROUGH CONGRESS.

THAT IS THE EXPERIENCE THAT I HAVE.

>> REBUTTAL FOR YOU, MRS. RENE?

>> I THINK ALL OF US HAVE PUT MONEY BACK IN THE TREASURY BY WORKING IN OUR CAREERS, ALL OF US ARE PAYING FEDERAL AND STATE TAXES.

I THINK THAT IS A CONSIDERATION THAT WE ALL CAN PARTICIPATE IN.

>> CANNOT DRILL DOWN ON THAT ?

WHEN I SAY PUT MONEY BACK INTO THE TREASURY I MEAN TAKING BACK TAXPAYER DOLLARS FROM DEFENSE CONTRACTORS.

I'M TALKING TO THE TUNES OF HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS WITH THE AGENCIES THAT I WORK FOR PUTTING BACK INTO THE TREASURY FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE TO WORK ON THINGS THAT WE NEED THOSE DOLLARS TO GO FOR IN OUR COMMUNITY.

I AM PRETTY SURE YOU CANNOT SAY THAT, KAREN RENE ?

>> I ACTUALLY CAN'T.

I WORKED A JOB CORPS FOR 14 YEARS, WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE, PUTTING YOUNG PEOPLE BACK INTO THE COMMUNITY AFTER EDUCATING, TRAINING, AND PROVIDING SKILLS FOR THEM TO HELP THEM BECOME PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS KNOW THEY CAN REACH JOBS THAT WILL HELP IN THEIR COMMUNITIES TO BE PRODUCTIVE CITIZENS.

I THINK AS BUILDING PEOPLE IS PROBABLY ONE OF THE BEST WAYS TO HELP CREATE STABLE >> IT IS NOT THE SAME THING AS PUTTING HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS BACK INTO THE TREASURY, BUT I GET YOUR POINT.

THANK YOU.

>> WE ARE MOVING ON AND THAT CONCLUDES THE SECOND ROUND.

YOU'RE WATCHING THE PRIMARY DEBATE FOR DEMOCRATS RUNNING FOR CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT THIRTEEN.

MARK BAKER, ULOMA KAMA AND INCOME IT CONGRESSMAN DAVID SCOTT DECLINED TO PARTICIPATE AND ARE REPRESENTED BY EMPTY PODIUMS.

WE WILL NOW GO BACK TO THE PANEL TO ASK QUESTIONS TO THE CANDIDATES OF THEIR CHOICE UNTIL WE RUN OUT OF TIME, AS A POINT OF MODERATOR PRIVILEGE.

SOMETHING I AM CERTAINLY ATTUNED TO I MAY ALSO ASK QUESTIONS.

I WILL DETERMINE WHEN A REBUTTAL IS APPROPRIATE.

CURT YEOMANS, YOU ARE GOING TO GET THE FIRST QUESTION IN THIS ROUND.

ALL YOURS.

>> THIS QUESTION IS TO ALL FOUR CANDIDATES.

WHEN A COUNTY IS USED TO HAVING AT LEAST ONE CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATIVE WHO IS DOMINANT IN A MAJORITY OF THE COUNTY.

NOW WITH REDISTRICTING IT IS SPLIT FOUR WAYS.

NO DISTRICT HAS A MAJORITY OF THE COUNTY.

WHAT WOULD YOU GUYS TELL TWO GWINNETT VOTERS WHO ARE SAYING WHO IS GOING TO BE OUR MAIN REPRESENTATIVE IN WHEN IT COUNTY?

WE CAN START WITH MRS. RENE AND WORK OUR WAY BACK TO MR.

FLOWERS.

>> THAT IS A VERY GOOD QUESTION.

I THINK WITH THE WAY THE DISTRICT IS DRAWN NOW, GWINNETT COUNTY WILL HAVE AT LEAST THREE REPRESENTATIVES.

I DON'T KNOW IF IT SHOULD EVER BE A MAIN CONGRESSIONAL PERSON FOR THAT PARTICULAR DISTRICT.

I THINK COLLABORATION, WORKING TOGETHER, BRINGING FUNDING BACK TO GWINNETT WILL BE KEY.

I THINK ALL OF US AS A COLLECTIVE WHOLE HAVE A DUTY AND A RESPONSIBILITY TO OUR RESIDENTS THERE.

ONE OF THE KEY ISSUES WILL BE MAKING SURE WE ARE WORKING TO BRING DOLLARS BACK TO HELP IMPROVE GWINNETT INFRASTRUCTURE.

THEY HAVE AGING INFRASTRUCTURE.

TRANSPORTATION WOULD BE INCLUDED AS FAR AS ROADWAYS, TYPING AND WATER.

WE WOULD NEED TO MAKE SURE ALL OF US ARE WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE GWINNETT GROWTH AND CONTINUES TO GROW IN AN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT WAY.

>> CHAUNCEY ALCORN, YOUR TURN TO ASK A QUESTION.

LET ME BACKTRACK AGAIN, I GET THE PRIVILEGE OF BEING THE MODERATOR HERE.

WE'RE GOING TO DIRECT YOUR QUESTION TO EVERYBODY SO THAT EVERYBODY GETS A SHOT AT THAT.

MR. MALIK, IF YOU WOULD START AND WE WILL WORK OUR WAY TOWARD ME.

>> THANK YOU.

BEFORE I TALK ABOUT GWINNETT, I WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT ALL THE OTHER COUNTIES.

WHEN I CONCENTRATE ON GWINNETT I WILL BE THINKING ABOUT HENRY COUNTY, CLAYTON COUNTY, ROCKWELL AND NEWTON COUNTIES.

WE ARE A FAMILY AND PARTICIPATION IS KEY TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

I WOULD INVITE NOT ONLY THE CONGRESS PERSON REPRESENTED IN GWINNETT COUNTY, ALSO THE OTHER FOUR COUNTIES.

WE NEED TO WORK AS A TEAM.

WHEN THAT IS NOT MY PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY.

MY PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY IS AMERICA, GEORGIA AND DISTRICT THIRTEEN.

WHOEVER IS IN DISTRICT THIRTEEN AND WOULD SERVE THEM TO MY UTMOST CAPACITY.

I WOULD INVITE ALL OF THE CONGRESS PERSONS TO THE TABLE TO TALK TO THEM.

NOT ONLY GWINNETT, NOT HANK JOHNSON OR SOMEBODY ELSE, BUT IT WILL BE FROM ALL OF THE FOUR COUNTIES WE ARE REPRESENTING.

EVEN IF IT IS A TWO-MILE AREA, IT DOESN'T MAKE ANY DIFFERENCE.

THEY ARE A PART OF OUR SYSTEM AND WE HAVE TO HELP ALL OF THEM.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I THINK WHAT YOU HAVE SEEN IN WHATEVER SIMILAR ACROSS THE STATES.

PARTICULARLY IN LEAPS AND BOUNDS WITH MINORITY AND YOUNG VOTERS.

REPUBLICANS SEE THE HAND WARRANTY --THE HANDWRITING ON THE WALL.

THERE IS A NAKED POWER GRAB.

THE BEST THING THAT I CAN SAY TO VOTERS IS ELECTIONS HAVE CONSEQUENCES.

YOU CANNOT JUST SHOW UP EVERY FOUR YEARS FOR A PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION.

YOU NEED TO SHOW UP AT EVERY ELECTION HELP.

REPUBLICANS VOTE LIKE THEIR LIVES DEPEND ON IT SO THEY CAN DO THINGS LIKE PLAY GAMES WITH OUR DISTRICT.

UNTIL DEMOCRATS GET SERIOUS TO GET MORE VOTERS AND TO ENERGIZE VOTERS OF COLOR YOU ARE GOING TO SEE MORE OF THIS OVER THE NEXT FEW YEARS.

>> MR.

FLOWERS.

>> DUG TELLING OFF OF WHAT MR. MALIK SAID, IN ORDER TO BE FULLY RESPONSIVE TO THE NEEDS OF THE LOCAL ELECTED OFFICIALS YOU GOT TO LEARNED ABOUT A FIGHT.

IN ORDER TO WIN YOU HAVE TO SHOW UP.

MR. SCOTT COULD DO THAT TODAY.

YOU HAVE TO SUPPORT THE FIGHTS OF THE LOCAL DEMOCRATS ON THE GROUND BECAUSE THEY ARE YOUR CLOSEST CONNECTION TO THE PEOPLE.

YOU HAVE TO TAKE THEIR FIGHT TO CONGRESS AND HELP THEM WIN THE AIR AND THAT IS WHAT I PLAN TO DO.

>> ALL RIGHT, CHAUNCEY ALCORN .

>> THIS IS FOR MR.

FLOWERS, BUT ANYONE CAN ANSWER.

HIGH INTEREST RATES AT THE END OF THE PANDEMIC AND THE RISE IN INFLATION THAT WE'VE SEEN NATIONWIDE HAS IMPACTED BLACK FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS.

HOW SHOULD CONGRESS WORK TO INCREASE BLACK OWNERSHIP RATES IN YOUR DISTRICT, DISTRICT THIRTEEN?

>> IT IS THE ECONOMY AND MORE IMPORTANTLY IT IS COST.

WHEN I AM TALKING TO PEOPLE THAT IS WHAT THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE MOST, THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT THE PRICE TO PURCHASE A NEW HOME.

THOSE PAYING RENT WORRIED ABOUT HIGH RENT AND ALSO WHAT THEY ARE PAYING AT THE GROCERY STORE, AT THE GAS PUMP.

WE HAVE TO WORK TO GET THESE COSTS DOWN.

YES, WE SUFFER FROM THE PANDEMIC AND INFLATION IS SUPERHIGH, THAT WE HAVE TO CONTINUE TO WORK TO BRING THAT DOWN AND MAKE SURE EVERYONE CAN BUILD THE FRUITS OF THIS ECONOMY.

>> I THINK THERE ARE THREE THINGS.

I THINK THE FIRST THING THAT IS HAPPENING RIGHT NOW CAUSING THIS ARTIFICIAL INCREASE IN HOME PRICES WOULD HELP IF CONGRESS ADDRESSED IT HELP ANYONE IN THE DISTRICT.

I THINK THERE ARE THREE COMPANIES IN THE ATLANTA METRO AREA THAT OWNED 30% OF RENTAL COMPANIES OR 30% OF HOUSING IN GENERAL.

THIS IS ANTI-COMPETITIVE BEHAVIOR THAT THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT SEEMS TO BE ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL AND ARE PAYING ATTENTION TO.

YOU ALSO HAVE COMPANIES COLLUDING WITH EACH OTHER.

THERE IS A SOFTWARE AVAILABLE IN THE MARKETPLACE AND ALLOW LANDLORDS TO SET THE RENTS ACROSS MARKETPLACES.

THERE IS NO COMPETITION.

CONGRESS HAS THE REGULATORY POWERS AND THE WHITE HOUSE HAVE POWERS THROUGH THE JUSTICE DEPARTMENT.

EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL AS IF THEY HAVE NO POWER TO DO ANYTHING.

IF YOU WANT TO HELP FIRST-TIME HOMEBUYERS WHETHER THEY ARE BLACK, WHITE, LATINO OR ASIAN, YOU HAVE TO TAKE A STAND.

THEY ALL TAKE MONEY FROM THESE COMPANIES, EVEN IN OUR PARTY.

SIX >> ALL I HEAR -- ALL I HEAR ABOUT HIS CAUSE, WHY SHOULD IT HAPPEN TO US?

WE HAVE TO EVALUATE OUR FOREIGN AID.

WHY WE GIVE IT, HOW WE GIVE IT AND HOW CAN WE SAVE SOME OF IT.

IT IS IN THE CONSTITUTION THAT WE HAVE TO GIVE A CERTAIN AMOUNT OF MONEY EVERY YEAR THAT GOES OUTSIDE OF THE COUNTRY.

IT DOES NOT HELP US.

WE HAVE TO INVEST IN ENTREPRENEURSHIP .

I BELIEVE IN PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.

WE HAVE TO CREATE OPPORTUNITY AND FUNDING SO PEOPLE CAN CREATE THEIR OWN SMALL BUSINESS.

SERVICE INDUSTRY IS 70% OF THE ECONOMY.

IF WE CAN TAKE CARE OF THE 70% THAT 70% WILL MULTIPLY TO REACH THE OTHER 30%.

WE HAVE TO EVALUATE OUR POLICIES, OUR FOREIGN AID THAT WE ARE GIVING LEFT AND RIGHT.

THE MONEY THAT WE ARE SPENDING IN DEFENSE.

CHINA DOES NOT GET INTO FOREIGN ADVENTURES PRETTY OFTEN.

>> ALL RIGHT, MR. MALIK, THANK YOU.

MRS. RENEE.

>> TO ANSWER THE QUESTION I THINK CONGRESS HAS TO STEP IN TO HELP REGULATE THE BUYING OF CORPORATE HOUSING.

IN SMALL CITIES, AND THE SIX COUNTIES THAT WE ARE REPRESENTING, A LOT OF THEM ARE SMALL CITIES.

WHAT HAPPENS IS CORPORATE AMERICA IS BUYING UP A LOT OF THESE HOUSES AND CHARGING A LARGE AMOUNT OF RENTS.

THE RENT IS NOT MEETING THE INFLATION NEEDS OR THE INFLATION IS NOT MEETING THE WAGES TO HELP PAY THE MORTGAGE IS OR EVEN THE RENTS AT THIS TIME.

DOWN PAYMENT, CLOSING COSTS ARE ASTRONOMICAL.

A LOT OF PEOPLE CANNOT AFFORD TO DO EITHER OF THOSE.

I THINK THAT WHEN WE GO TO CONGRESS WE MUST HELP WITH THE REGULATIONS IN ORDER FOR OUR PEOPLE IN THESE COMMUNITIES TO BE ABLE TO AFFORD HOUSING OR EVEN TO RENT SOME OF THESE APARTMENTS.

REGULATIONS FROM CONGRESS HAS TO COME DOWN.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

PAMELA KIRKLAND.

>> CONGRESSIONAL GRIDLOCK SEEMS TO BE THE WAY OF WASHINGTON THESE DAYS.

ON THE BRINK OF A GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN.

WHY DO YOU BELIEVE YOU CAN BE MORE EFFECTIVE IN WASHINGTON THAN ON THE LOCAL LEVEL?

>> SERVING AS A CITY COUNCILWOMAN AND MAYOR PRO TEM FOR NEARLY 10 YEARS IS A BIPARTISAN PROCESS.

THAT MEANS WHEN RESIDENTS ARE IN NEED OR CALL ON A COUNCILPERSON IT IS ABOUT NOT REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, IN MY HEART IT IS ABOUT SERVING.

WORKING TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE OUR COMMUNITIES ARE BENEFITING AND MOVING FORWARD.

AS A CONGRESSPERSON I WILL BRING THE SAME PASSION BACK FROM THE CITIES THAT I SERVE TO THE COUNTIES THAT I WILL REPRESENT IN CONGRESS.

>> MR. MALIK, SAME QUESTION.

>> AS I SAID IN THE BEGINNING I'M REPRESENTING FOUR DISTRICTS AND I'M GOING TO WORK WITH CONGRESS OF THAT AREA FROM GWINNETT, FROM HENRY, FROM ROCKDALE.

WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND AMERICA COMES FIRST.

I WILL REACH OVER TO EVERYBODY, ANYBODY SO WE CAN WORK AS A TEAM TO BENEFIT OUR NATION.

>> I'M GOING TO BE ON THE SET THE RISK OF SOUNDING CYNICAL, BIPARTISANSHIP SOUNDS GREAT, BUT IT TAKES TWO PARTIES TO HAVE BIPARTISANSHIP.

REPUBLICANS CAN'T EVEN AGREE ON WHO WON THE LAST ELECTION LET ALONE THE NEXT LEGISLATION.

I THINK WE HAVE TO LOOK IN THE MIRROR AND WE ARE GOING TO HAVE TO START DOING A BETTER JOB OF BRINGING VOTERS TO THE TABLE.

ONE OF THE THINGS THAT I WAS FRUSTRATED WITH BARACK OBAMA WAS BRINGING SO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE PROCESS AND THEN WHEN I GOT IN WEAVING THEM OUT.

YOU ARE GOING TO HAVE TO ENERGIZE VOTERS.

REPUBLICANS ARE NOT INTERESTED IN PASSING LEGISLATION.

I CANNOT TALK ABOUT BIPARTISANSHIP WHEN THERE IS NOT A WILLING PARTNER ON THE OTHER SIDE.

DEMOCRATS HAVE TO GALVANIZE OUR PARTY, THE PUBLIC, AND PUSH THROUGH LEGISLATION USING THE WILL OF THE PEOPLE AND NOT TRYING TO PLAY BIPARTISAN GAMES.

>> I THINK THE FIRST THING YOU HAVE TO DO IS ADDRESS THE ELEPHANT IN THE ROOM, THE CHAOS CAUCUS, MARJORIE TAYLOR GREENE, THE JIM JORDAN'S OF THE WORLD WHO WANT NOTHING BUT CHAOS.

WHEN WE LOOK AT THE IMMIGRATION ISSUE, PRESIDENT BIDEN WAS READY TO SIGN A BORDER DEAL, THEY HAVE BEEN COMPLAINING ABOUT IT FOR DECADES.

IT WAS READY TO GO, BIPARTISAN WITH ONE OF THE MOST CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS IN THE COUNTRY.

WE HAVE TO GET RID OF THOSE GUYS WHO ARE NOT THERE, AS THE WORK.

THEY ARE THERE FOR ENTERTAINMENT.

>> ALL RIGHT, CURT YEOMANS.

>> MR. JOHNSON, I WANTED TO ASK ABOUT CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM .

YOUR WEBSITE MENTIONED THAT WAS ONE OF YOUR GOALS.

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE, IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT CAN CONGRESS DO TO REFORM THAT?

TO ADDRESS ISSUES WHERE PEOPLE BELIEVE MINORITIES ARE JUST GOING AGAINST MORE THAN WHITE PEOPLE?

>> THE BIGGEST THING THAT YOU CAN DO, AND IT'S ON MY WEBSITE.

I ATTENDED THE 4/20 OF IT LAST WEEK.

I THINK THAT'S ONE OF THE BIGGEST THINGS THAT WE CAN DO IN THIS COUNTRY TO HELP JUSTICE REFORM.

I LIVED IN SEATTLE FOR A FEW YEARS.

ON MY BLOCK I PROBABLY HAVE FIVE OR SIX MARIJUANA DISPENSARIES.

BIG CORPORATIONS ARE MAKING A FORTUNE OFF OF MARIJUANA.

MEANWHILE, BLACK AND BROWN YOUNG MEN ARE SITTING IN PRISON FOR SELLING 1% OF WHAT THEY SOLD.

THE DRUG WAR IN THIS COUNTRY WAS WELL INTENDED IN THE BEGINNING BUT BECAME THE BIGGEST TOOL FOR INCARCERATING YOUNG PEOPLE AND BLACK AND BROWN PEOPLE IN AMERICA.

THINGS LIKE SENTENCE REFORM, THINGS LIKE REFORM ARE IMPORTANT, BUT WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE DRUG WAR.

IT'S DONE NOTHING BUT --FOR DRUGS.

OUR PRISON PIPELINE HAS GONE THROUGH THE ROOF.

STARTING WITH REMOVING IT FROM CONTROL ONE SUBSTANCE ACT.

>> THE QUESTION, MRS. RENE .

>> I THINK TO ADD TO THAT CONGRESS SHOULD ALSO WORK WITH MANNING THE BOX.

ONCE A PERSON IS OFF PROBATION AND HAS COMPLETED THEIR COMMUNITY SERVICE, AND REDEMPTION SHOULD BE A PART OF THE PROCESS WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE.

AS OF NOW IF YOU HAVE SERVED TIME OR HAVE A PRISON RECORD IT IS VERY DIFFICULT FOR PEOPLE TO COME OUT OF THE PRISON SYSTEM AND GET A VIABLE JOB.

BANNING THE BOX MEANS THEY WILL NOT HAVE TO ANSWER THE QUESTION ON THE APPLICATION TO BE REMOVED FROM THE PROCESS.

A LOT OF OUR PEOPLE ARE SKILLED AND READY TO GO TO WORK AND CAN DO THE JOB, BUT WHENEVER GET THAT OPPORTUNITY ON THE APPLICATION BECAUSE THEY NEVER MAKE IT TO THE INTERVIEW PROCESS.

>> MR. MALIK .

>> THE FIRST THING IS TO PROMOTE ACCOUNTABILITY.

WHENEVER SOMEONE IS ARRESTED IT SHOULD BE VIDEOTAPED AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

ONCE THEY ARE INSIDE WE SHOULD GO INTO VOCATIONAL TRAINING.

I RAN A VOCATIONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE.

TEACHER MYSELF.

I CAN GIVE YOU ONE EXAMPLE.

AND MAYBE CARE FROM WORKFORCE FUNDING IN THE COUNTY.

THREE MONTHS OF TRAINING IN SOFTWARE TESTING SHE GOT A JOB WORTH $80,000.

IT IS POSSIBLE.

WHENEVER THEY GO INSIDE THE JAIL FOR WHATEVER REASON OUR FOCUS SHOULD BE TO GROW THEM, TO MATURE THEM AND WORK TOGETHER WITH THEM THAT WE TAKE OFF THE RECORD.

IF I HAVE A BURDEN ON MY SHOULDER HOW CAN I WALK?

HOW CAN I RUN?

TAKE THE BURDEN.

I HAVE PAID MY DUES AND NOW IT'S TIME FOR ME TO BE A FREE PERSON.

WHEN A PERSON COMES OUT IT SHOULD BE A CLEAN SLATE AND THEY SHOULD BE TRAINED TO GET INTO AN OCCUPATION.

>> MR.

FLOWERS?

>> I THINK IT IS NO SECRET THAT WE SORELY NEED CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM IN THIS NATION.

GET RID OF PRISONS FOR PROFIT.

THAT IS ONE OF THE THINGS I WILL DEFINITELY WORK ON.

I AM ALSO FOR LEGALIZING MARIJUANA, AT LEASE TAKING AWAY OR MAKING IT A SCHEDULE ONE DRUG AND DECRIMINALIZING IT.

IT WOULD BE HUGE FOR PEOPLE WHO HAVE SERVED TIME IN PRISON OR ARE SERVING TIME AS NONVIOLENT OFFENDERS.

I THINK THIS IS SOMETHING WE DEFINITELY NEED TO BE WORKING ON AND SOMETHING THAT I WILL WORK ON WITH THOSE WHO HAVE A LOT OF EXPERIENCE IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEPARTMENT.

>> ABOUT MARIJUANA, RB BARRY OPEN WITH AMERICA.

AMERICA, WHEN YOU LEGALIZE MARIJUANA YOU ARE DOING IT WRONG.

IT IS UNETHICAL.

I HAVE GROWN UP WITH MARIJUANA AND SEE PEOPLE SMOKING MARIJUANA DESTROYING THEIR LIVES.

IT IS A DRUG, TAKE IT FOR WHAT IT IS.

I DON'T WANT YOUR VOTE, I LOVE >> THAT IS A WRAP, MR. MALIK.

CHAUNCEY ALCORN.

>> THIS IS DIRECTED AT MRS. RENE .

PART OF BLACK VOTER FRUSTRATION IN GEORGIA LATELY HAVE BEEN WAGES NOT KEEPING UP WITH INFLATION.

WHAT WILL YOU DO TO BRING MORE HIGH-PAYING JOBS INTO THE STATE AND ENSURE RESIDENTS GET THESE CAREER OPPORTUNITIES?

>> THAT IS A REALLY GOOD QUESTION.

I WORKED WITH JOB CORPS FOR 14 YEARS, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT.

I THINK IT IS IMPERATIVE THAT WE BRING SKILL SETS TO OUR YOUNG PEOPLE, MAKING SURE ALL OF THEM ARE EDUCATED AND TRAINED.

WE CAN NO LONGER AFFORD TO LEAVE ANYONE BEHIND.

IT IS REALLY CRITICAL FOR US TO MAKE SURE EVERY PERSON COMING THROUGH OUR SCHOOL SYSTEM HAS THE ABILITY TO BE EDUCATED AND TO HAVE A SKILLED TRADE.

EVERYONE IS NOT THERE FOR COLLEGE.

THAT IS OKAY.

I THINK WORKING WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, MAKING SURE WE HAVE FUNDING IN THOSE AREAS SO THAT ALL OF US CAN HAVE THE SKILL SETS TO HELP MOVE US FORWARD.

>> WHY DON'T WE TAKE THAT QUESTION AND MOVE RIGHT DOWN THE LINE.

MR. MALIK.

>> WE HAVE TO PAY HIGHER WAGES TO COMPETE WITH THE MARKET DEMAND.

THE MARKET DEMAND FOR FOOD AND SERVICES PRICES HAVE GONE SO HIGH.

WE LEAD BY EXAMPLE.

WHEN I REACH OUT TO OUR FELLOW CONGRESS MEMBERS I CAN TELL THEM I HAVE DONE IT.

I CAN CHALLENGE YOU.

THE COMPANY THAT IRAN BELONGS TO MY WIFE.

WE PAY THE HIGHEST IN GEORGIA IN MEDICAID FUNDING.

SO WE START WITH SELF.

LOOK WITHIN YOURSELF.

WHAT ARE YOU DOING?

ARE YOU SERVICING THE PEOPLE?

IF YOU ARE SERVICING THE PEOPLE BEFORE COMING TO THE OFFICE YOU WILL DO THE SAME THING IN THE OFFICE.

HE WILL WORK FOR THE PEOPLE.

CHALLENGE ME, SOMEBODY.

OUT OF $19.92 WE GIVE OUT $14.

IF I CAN DO THAT WITH MY COMPANY I CAN DO IT FOR AMERICA, FOR THE VOTERS.

JOIN ME AND WE CAN MAKE OUR LIVES BEAUTIFUL.

>> MR. JOHNSON?

>> THE ANSWER IS REALLY COMPLEX.

I THINK I TALKED ABOUT SOME OF THE ANTI-COMPETITIVE BEHAVIORS EARLIER.

I THINK THINGS LIKE, FOR INSTANCE, ASKING EMPLOYEES ABOUT WAGES IN A PREVIOUS JOB, I THINK THEY HAVE NO BUSINESS ASKING THE QUESTION.

THE QUESTION SHOULD BE WHAT IS THE VALUE OF THIS JOB?

I'M NOT GOING TO TELL YOU THAT SALARY TO KEEP MY SALARY LOCKED IN A SPACE.

I THINK WILL BANNING NONCOMPETE AGREEMENTS, I'VE HEARD PEOPLE LIKE STARBUCKS OR GAS STATIONS HAVING PEOPLE SIGN NONCOMPETE AGREEMENTS TO KEEP WAGES LOW.

MORE BROADLY WE HAVE TO LOOK AT THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM.

WE ARE TRAINING STUDENTS FOR JOBS THAT ONE EXISTS WHEN THEY GRADUATE.

IF YOU ARE NOT LEARNING CODING, CYBERSECURITY OR SOME OTHER TECHNICAL SKILL IN HIGH SCHOOL YOU ARE ALREADY BEHIND WHEN YOU GRADUATE AS COMPARED TO OUR STUDENTS IN INDIA AND CHINA.

I THINK THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM NEEDS A REBOOT AND THOSE ARE SOME OF THE THINGS WE CAN DO.

>> GOING OFF WHAT RYAN SAID, IT REALLY IS ALL THE THINGS.

IT IS COST, HOUSING AFFORDABILITY.

WE NEED TO BE COMPETING IN GEORGIA AND THAT MEANS BRINGING THE JOBS THAT THE FUTURE DEMANDS HERE TO GEORGIA.

THAT MEANS GETTING MORE INFRASTRUCTURE, YOU KNOW, EVERYBODY TRYING TO MATCH THE FEDERAL MINIMUM WAGE.

YOU CANNOT BE PAYING PEOPLE $7.50 PER HOUR , THAT'S JUST NOT CUTTING IT.

WE NEED TO TRAIN OUR PEOPLE FOR NEW JOBS THAT ARE GOING TO BE THE FUTURE IN I WOULD WORK FOR, TO MAKE SURE THOSE JOBS COME HERE TO GEORGIA.

>> THIS QUESTION IS FOR MR.

FLOWERS WE WILL OPEN IT'S ALL THE CANDIDATES.

PRESIDENT BIDEN RECENTLY SIGNED A BILL THAT WOULD EITHER FORCE THE SALE OF TIKTOK BY BYTEDANCE OR BAN IT OUT RIGHT.

CONGRESS PASSED THE MEASURE CITING SECURITY CONCERNS.

IF YOU WERE REPRESENTING THE DISTRICT RIGHT NOW WOULD YOU HAVE VOTED FOR THE MEASURE AND WHY?

>> AS SOMEONE WHO HAS BEEN A NATIONAL SECURITY SESSION FOR THE LAST ALMOST 30 YEARS, I THINK THAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING.

I WOULD SUPPORT THE BILL AND HAVE BYTEDANCE SELL OFF THEIR STAKE FROM CHINA TO SOMEONE HERE IN THE COUNTRY.

I THINK THAT IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS.

WE DON'T NEED TO HAVE OUR INFORMATION FLOATING AROUND GETTING IN THE HANDS OF THOSE THAT WOULD DO US HARM.

>> MR. JOHNSON?

>> I AGREE WITH MR.

FLOWERS.

YOU CANNOT HAVE CHINA HAVING THIS LEVEL OF ACCESS TO AMERICAN DATA.

WE KNOW WHAT THEY HAVE ALREADY THEY HAVE TWO EXISTING AMERICAN CITIZEN DATA.

I SUPPORT THE PASSAGE OF THE BILL.

NO ONE IS SAYING TIKTOK NEEDS TO BE SHUT DOWN OR ANY OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORM, BUT YOU NEED TO SELL IT TO AN AMERICAN COMPANY BOUND BY AMERICAN PRIVACY LAWS.

>> MR. MALIK?

>> I BELIEVE IN PRIVACY TO KEEP OUR DATA TO OURSELVES, BUT I WOULD NEVER TRY TO STOP FREEDOM OF SPEECH.

IF WE DO THAT TO TIKTOK THE NEXT DAY IF THEY WILL TRY TO SAY SOMETHING TO FACEBOOK AND THEN SOMEBODY ELSE.

WE HAVE TO WORK TOGETHER TO MAKE SURE OUR SECURITY IS NOT COMPROMISED, THE CHARM OF AMERICA IS FREEDOM OF SPEECH AND MOVEMENT AND WE HAVE TO KEEP THAT.

>> MRS. RENE?

>> I BELIEVE PRESIDENT BIDEN WAS RIGHT TO DO THIS.

AMERICAN DAD IS REALLY IMPORTANT FOR US TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE A SAVE HOLD ON AMERICAN DATA.

I THINK IT IS CRITICAL FOR US TO MOVE FORWARD WITH HIS INITIATIVE.

WE MUST KEEP AMERICAN RESIDENTS SAFE.

IN THE HANDS OF FOREIGN COUNTRIES IT COULD BE CATASTROPHIC.

I DEFINITELY AGREE WITH THE SIGNING OF THE BILL.

>> CHAUNCEY ALCORN, THE QUESTION IS YOURS.

>> MR.

FLOWERS, THIS IS DIRECTED AT YOU BUT ANYONE CAN ANSWER.

THE REPARATIONS MOVEMENT, I'M SPECIFICALLY TALKING FOR DESCENDENTS OF AMERICAN SLAVES, FORMALLY ENSLAVED PEOPLE, I SHOULD SAY.

IT HAS GAINED STEAM ACROSS THE COUNTRY IN RECENT YEARS INCLUDING MULTIPLE STUDY CONVENTIONS LOST IN THE LOCAL AND COUNTY LEVEL.

DO YOU SUPPORT A FEDERAL REPARATIONS PROGRAM?

WHY OR WHY NOT?

>> I ACTUALLY DO SUPPORT A FEDERAL REPARATIONS PROGRAM.

IF YOU LOOK AT THE HISTORY OF THIS COUNTRY REPARATIONS WERE GIVEN TO THOSE WHO OWNED SLAVES BECAUSE THEY LOST SLAVES.

TO ME THAT IS RIDICULOUS .

WE CONTINUE TO SEE IN THIS COUNTRY THE IMPACT THAT SLAVERY HAS HAD ON AFRICAN AMERICANS OR, YOU KNOW, DESCENDENTS OF SLAVES.

WE HAVE TO CORRECT THOSE WRONGS.

THERE ARE SYSTEMIC ISSUES AFTER SYSTEMIC ISSUES THAT WE SEE IN OUR POLICIES, OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT, JUST ABOUT EVERY WALK OF LIFE THAT WE HAVE IN THIS COUNTRY.

I BELIEVE THAT WE SHOULD DEFINITELY SIT DOWN AND HAVE A CONVERSATION ABOUT WHAT REPARATIONS WILL LOOK LIKE TO AFRICAN AMERICANS.

>> I THINK THE CONVERSATION ABOUT REPARATIONS IS CHOCK FILLED WITH EMOTIONS AND HITS ON A LOT OF DEEP-SEATED ISSUES IN THIS COUNTRY .

IT IS REALLY DIFFICULT TO TALK ABOUT SUPPORTING REPARATIONS WITHOUT SEEING LEGISLATION.

I THINK REPARATIONS TO DESCENDENTS COUNTRY.

THE CONTOURS OF WHAT THAT IS GOING TO LOOK LIKE, IF IT WANTS TO BE ON AFRICAN AMERICANS?

WOULD IT BE MEANS TESTED?

WHAT ABOUT PEOPLE WHO HAVE IMMIGRATED FROM AFRICA?

IT IS NOT A SIMPLE ANSWER AND I THINK IT WILL REQUIRE A NATIONAL DISCUSSION.

I DO NOT THINK THERE IS ANY CHANCE OF ANYONE EVER SAYING A BILL PASSED IN THIS COUNTRY REPARATIONS.

WE COULDN'T PASS THE JOHN LEWIS VOTING RIGHTS ACT WHICH IS COMMON SENSE ABOUT VOTING, WE COULDN'T PASS THE GEORGE FLOYD JUST A FACT.

WE CANNOT AGREE THAT IT'S NOT OKAY TO LET A BLACK MAN LIVE ON TV, HOW IN THE WORLD ARE WE GOING TO PASS ANY LEGISLATION ON REPARATIONS?

THE CONVERSATION SHOULD HAPPEN, BUT NO ONE WILL EVER SEE A BILL PASSED ON REPARATIONS IN THIS COUNTRY, NOT IN MY LIFETIME.

>> MR. MALIK.

>> IF YOU LOOK AT MY CARD -- >> NO.

>> IF YOU ENLARGE IT YOU WILL SEE UNIVERSAL REPARATIONS.

IT MEANS EVERYONE INCLUDED.

YES, AFRICAN AMERICANS OR DESCENDENTS OF SLAVES SHOULD BE COMPENSATED.

THE CHINESE WHO WORKED ON OUR RAILWAY TRACKS SHOULD BE COMPENSATED.

THE WOMEN ABUSED THROUGHOUT THE CENTER SHOULD BE COMPENSATED.

WE NEED GOOD COOPERATION AMONG MEMBERS TO COME TOGETHER AND FIND OUT WHOM AS AMERICANS WE HAVE OPPRESSED AND THEN WE ADDRESS THAT ISSUE.

A WOMAN GETTING 70% OF THE SALARY FOR HOW MANY YEARS?

IT CANNOT GO ON.

WE HAVE TO EVALUATE OUR OPPRESSIONS IN OUR SOCIETY AND ADDRESS IT COLLECTIVELY SO THAT NO ONE IS LEFT OUT.

PARTICIPATION SELECTIVELY IS THE KEY TO ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT.

WE CANNOT LEAVE OUT A GROUP OF PEOPLE BECAUSE THEY ARE 10% ONLY.

WE HAVE TO BRING EVERYONE TOGETHER.

>> IT IS UNFORTUNATE THAT IN REPARATIONS TO AFRICAN AMERICANS WHO HAVE HELPED TO BUILD THIS COUNTRY.

EVERYTHING THAT YOU SEE PRETTY MUCH HAS BEEN TOUCHED BY A SLAVE OR AN AFRICAN AMERICAN IN THIS COUNTRY.

EDUCATION, CONSTRUCTION, ENGINEERING, EVERYTHING.

YET REPARATIONS IS STILL ON THE TABLE.

I THINK IT IS A SHAME.

WE HAVE PAY SO MANY REPARATIONS TO OTHER GROUPS AND GET THE PEOPLE WHO HAVE HELPED TO MAKE AMERICA GREAT ARE STILL WAITING FOR JUSTICE.

REPARATIONS SHOULD HAVE ALREADY TAKEN PLACE.

YES, IT IS A COMPLICATED ISSUE, BUT IT STILL SHOULD BE ON THE TABLE AND VOTED IN.

>> ALL RIGHT, THANK YOU.

THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR QUESTIONS.

THE CANDIDATES WILL NOW HAVE 60 SECONDS FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT.

SET AND READY TO GO WITH YOUR FINAL PITCH YOU TOWARD VOTERS ABOUT WHY YOU SHOULD BE THE NEXT CONGRESS PERSON IN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT THIRTEEN.

MARCUS FLOWERS, HERE WE GO.

>> THANK YOU.

>> I DIDN'T COME HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE PAST SO MUCH TODAY.

I CAME HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE FUTURE AND THE FIGHT THAT LIES AHEAD OF US.

LIKE I SAID BEFORE, THE FIRST DAY YOU HAVE TO DO TO WIN A FIGHT IS SHOW UP.

MY OPPONENT MR. SCOTT CANNOT DO THAT TODAY.

ACCORDING TO HIS COLLEAGUES, HE ISN'T EVEN SHOWING UP IN CONGRESS, FOR YOU, FOR ME.

THAT IS THE BIGGEST THING THAT NEEDS TO CHANGE.

I HAVE SHOWN UP FOR THIS COUNTRY.

AT 18 YEARS OLD I SWEAR AN OATH TO SUPPORT AND DEFEND THE CONSTITUTION, AGAIN WHEN I SPENT A DECADE IN COMBAT ZONES IN IRAQ AND AFGHANISTAN.

IN AND DAY OUT TO FIGHT FOR YOU IF YOU GIVE ME THE HONOR OF SERVING YOU ONCE AGAIN I WILL DO THAT PROUDLY AND WORK JUST AS HARD AS YOU EVERY DAY IN YOUR LIFE TO MAKE ENDS MEET FOR YOUR FAMILY.

GOD BLESS YOU AND THANK YOU.

>> KAREN RENE.

>> I AM KAREN RENE RUNNING FOR CONGRESS IN THE NEWLY REDRAWN 13th DISTRICT.

I AM ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE.

I HAVE THE EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE AS A LEGISLATOR CREATING POLICY AND IMPROVING OUR DISTRICT.

MY COMMITMENT TO YOU AS SURE CONGRESSWOMAN WILL BE ENGAGED WITH THE COMMUNITIES, COLLABORATIONS WITH ELECTED OFFICIALS, AND IMPROVING ALL OF OUR COMMUNITIES.

I AM ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE.

I AM KAREN RENE RUNNING FOR CONGRESS IN THE 13th DISTRICT.

THANK YOU.

>> BRIAN JOHNSON .

>> MY NAME IS BRIAN JOHNSON, A LAWYER, ENTREPRENEUR AND CITIZEN OF THIS DISTRICT.

I GOT OFF THE COUCH TO RUN FOR THIS POSITION IN THE 13 CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT BECAUSE I BELIEVE THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY IS FAILING ITS CITIZENS.

WE HAVE A CONGRESSMAN IN DAVID SCOTT WHO IS AWOL AND NOT DOING ANYTHING FOR THE LAST 20 YEARS.

I AM RUNNING NOT AS AN EXPERIENCED POLITICIAN, A LIBERAL, CONSERVATIVE OR ANY OF THOSE THINGS.

I'M RUNNING AS AN ACTUAL DEMOCRAT.

I AM RUNNING A PEOPLE POWERED CAMPAIGN FOCUSING ON DELIVERING FOR THE PEOPLE.

I'M NOT TAKING ANY MONEY FROM CORPORATIONS.

I AM AN ACTUAL DEMOCRAT RUNNING FUNDED BY THE PEOPLE.

I LOOK FORWARD TO REPRESENTING YOU AND I AM ASKING FOR YOUR VOTE.

>> RASHID MALIK.

>> THANK YOU, EVERYBODY.

MR. DAVID SCOTT, I'M NOT GOING TO SAY ANYTHING BECAUSE YOU ARE NOT HERE.

MY ETHICS STOP ME FROM TALKING ABOUT SOMEONE WHEN THEY CANNOT DEFEND.

I WELCOME YOU TO COME TO A DEBATE WITH ME.

I WILL GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO DEFEND YOURSELF.

HAVING SAID THAT WE ENDED WITH REPARATION.

IT IS VERY CLOSE TO MY HEART.

I CALL IT UNIVERSAL REPARATIONS ON MY CARD.

YOU CAN CHECK IT OUT.

I BELIEVE IN WORLD PEACE.

I BELIEVE IN PREVENTING WORLD WAR III.

DO YOU KNOW WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF WE HAVE WORLD WAR III?

WE WON'T BE HERE TO TALK ABOUT ANY ISSUES.

LET'S WORK ON THE REAL THING.

THE REST OF THE THINGS WE CAN TALK ABOUT WHEN WE SURVIVE.

LET'S BRING THE CRISIS IN THE MIDDLE EAST TO AN END.

LET'S HAVE A TWO STATE SOLUTION SO WE DO NOT HAVE A PIMPLE ON OUR BACK WHICH WE ONLY SCRATCH WHEN WE NEED TO.

WE NEED TO GET THE RUSSIANS OUT OF THE MIDDLE EAST.

WE NEED TO ESTABLISH WORLD PEACE.

WE HAVE TO HAVE REPARATIONS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THANK YOU TO ALL OF OUR CANDIDATES AND OUR PANELISTS.

PAMELA KIRKLAND, YOU WERE PLACED IN AN UNENVIABLE SITUATION.

YOU INVOLVED IN A PRIOR DEBATE.

WE HAVE ONE OF OUR QUESTIONERS UNFORTUNATELY BECAUSE OF CIRCUMSTANCES BEYOND HER CONTROL UNABLE TO ATTEND THIS EVENT.

YOU STEPPED IN ADMIRABLY AND DID A TERRIFIC JOB.

WE ALL TIP OUR CAP TO YOU.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> CURT YEOMANS, THANK YOU FOR ALL OF YOUR GOOD WORK.

AND CHAUNCEY ALCORN, WE ENJOY READING YOUR GREAT WORK AS WELL.

WE APPRECIATE YOUR QUESTIONS AND WE APPRECIATE YOU WATCHING.

THIS WILL CONCLUDE OUR PROGRAM.

WE WANT TO REMIND VOTERS EARLY VOTING BEGINS ON APRIL 29.

ELECTION DAY IS SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, MAY 21.

OUR THANKS TO ALL OF THE CANDLELIT --CANDIDATES.

AND WE WOULD LIKE TO THANK THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB THAT DOES SO MUCH GREAT WORK HERE IN OUR CITY TO ENSURE FREEDOM OF THE PRESS, TO ENSURE THERE IS GREAT, HONEST REPORTING.

THEY DO A GREAT JOB.

ALSO GEORGIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING FOR ARRANGING TODAY'S PROGRAM.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB DEBATES VISIT WWW.ATLANTA PRESS CLUB.ORG.

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US FOR THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB LOUDERMILK-YOUNG DEBATE SERIES .