♪♪ >>> HELLO, I'M CLAIRE SIMMS, REPORTER WITH FOX 35 NEWS IN ATLANTA.

WELCOME TO THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB LOUDERMILK-YOUNG DEBATE SERIES FROM THE STUDIOS OF GEORGIA PUBLIC BROADCASTING.

THIS IS THE GENERAL ELECTION DEBATE AMONG CANDIDATES FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

LET'S MEET THE CANDIDATES FOR THIS DEBATE, THEY ARE IN PLEBLTEL ORDER CHARLIE BAILEY, A DEMOCRAT, WHO IS AN ATTORNEY AND FORMER SENIOR ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY.

RYAN GRAHAM, A LIBERTARIAN, WHO WORKS IN SOFTWARE DEVELOPMENT.

AND BURT JONES, A REPUBLICAN, WHO SERVES AS A GEORGIA STATE SENATOR FROM DISTRICT 25.

NOW LET'S TAKE A MOMENT TO MEET OUR PANELISTS.

RAHUL BALI IS A POLITICS REPORTER FOR WABE IN ATLANTA, AND JAMES SALZER IS A STATE GOVERNMENT REPORTER FOR THE "ATLANTA JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION."

FOR COMPLETE RULES ON TODAY'S DEBATE PLEASE VISIT THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB WEBSITE AT ATLANTAPRESSCLUB.ORG/DEBATES.

TO START OUR DEBATE EACH CANDIDATE WILL BE ASKED ONE QUESTION, CANDIDATES HAVE 60 SECONDS TO ANSWER EACH QUESTION.

RAHUL, YOU GET THE FIRST QUESTION TO RYAN GRAHAM.

>> MR. GRAHAM, WELCOME TO OUR DEBATES.

THE QUESTION I HAVE FOR YOU IS JAMES AND I REMEMBER COVERING THE GEORGIA LEGISLATURE, BEING AT THE GEORGIA LEGISLATURE IN 2003 WHEN REPUBLICANS TOOK CONTROL AND STRIPPED A DEMOCRATIC LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR OF MUCH OF THE POWER HE HAD IN THE STATE SENATE.

IF YOU ARE ELECTED INTO A BODY THAT WILL MOST LIKELY BE A REPUBLICAN BODY, HOW WILL YOU BE ABLE TO OPERATE?

WHAT WILL YOU BE ABLE TO DO AS THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND THE PRESIDENT OF THE GEORGIA STATE SENATE?

>> YEAH, RAHUL, THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION AND THANK YOU TO THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB FOR HAVING ME.

YEAH, IT'S AN INTERESTING CONUNDRUM TO BE IN KNOWING THAT THE SENATE WOULD ESSENTIALLY STRIP POWERS FROM LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR IF THERE WAS SOMEBODY WHO WAS NOT POLITICALLY ALIGNED WITH THEM, BUT I STILL THINK THAT THE POSITION COULD BE USED AS A BULLY PULPIT TO TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT ARE IMPORTANT TO ME LIKE EDUCATIONAL FREEDOM, CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM AND ELECTION REFORM.

SO, YOU KNOW, I STILL THINK THAT I CAN ADD A LOT OF VALUE TO THAT, TO THE POSITION, AND I CAN MAKE SURE THAT I CAN HELP SENATORS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE AISLE WORK TOGETHER ON THE ISSUES THAT I THINK ARE IMPORTANT, BY HELPING TO BE THE BRIDGE THAT YOU DON'T SEE IN THE SENATE TODAY.

THANK YOU.

>> ALL RIGHT.

JAMES, IT'S YOUR TURN TO ASK A QUESTION TO CHARLIE BAILEY.

>> MR. BAILEY, PRESIDENT BIDEN RECENTLY ANNOUNCED THAT HE WOULD PARDON THOSE WHO HAVE A FEDERAL SIMPLE POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA CHARGE, HAS ASKED THE FEDERAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT TO DECRIMINALIZE DRUGS AND HAS ASKED STATES TO FOLLOW SUIT.

WHAT IS YOUR STANCE ON ARRESTING AND CHARGING PEOPLE WITH POSSESSION OF SMALL AMOUNTS OF MARIJUANA AND WHEN YOU WERE WITH THE DA's OFFICE DID YOU PROSECUTE PEOPLE FOR THAT CRIME?

>> SO I AM PROUD THAT PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN DID WHAT HE DID, TOOK THE STEPS TO PARDON THOSE INDIVIDUALS.

I AM FOR FULL LEGALIZATION OF RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA USE IN SMALL AMOUNTS.

WE HAVE TO REGULATE IT, WE HAVE TO TAX IT, BUT WE HAVE HAD A SYSTEM FOR FAR TOO LONG THAT IS UNJUST AND IT DISPROPORTIONATELY AFFECTS POOR COMMUNITIES AND BLACK AND BROWN COMMUNITIES.

SO I BELIEVE IN LEGALIZATION OF MARIJUANA, SO CERTAINLY I ALSO AGREE WITH PARDONING THOSE PEOPLE THAT HAVE BEEN CONVICTED OF THE POSSESSION OF SMALL AMOUNTS, POSSESSION OF SMALL AMOUNTS OF MARIJUANA IN OUR STATE.

WE HAVE TO -- THIS IS AN AGRICULTURAL STATE, IT'S OUR NUMBER ONE INDUSTRY, AND WE CAN USE ALL THE TOOLS THAT WE HAVE AS GEORGIANS TO HAVE A GROWING INDUSTRY IN THE MARIJUANA INDUSTRY AND THAT'S MY POSITION.

>> RAHUL, YOUR QUESTION FOR BURT JONES.

>> SENATOR JONES, THANKS FOR JOINING US FOR OUR DEBATE.

I WANTED TO ASK YOU ABOUT YOUR ACTIONS IN DECEMBER 2020 FOLLOWING THE ELECTIONS AND WHEN YOU SIGNED ON TO AN ELECTORAL COLLEGE SLATE FOR THEN PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP EVEN THOUGH JOE BIDEN HAD BEEN CERTIFIED THE WINNER HERE IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

THAT SLATE COULD HAVE BEEN USED IN WASHINGTON.

I WANT TO ASK YOU WHY DID YOU DO THAT, AND DO YOU STILL BELIEVE THOSE ACTIONS WERE APPROPRIATE?

>> WELL, THANK YOU FOR THE QUESTION.

I APPRECIATE YOU HAVING ME HERE TODAY, RAHUL.

THE FACT OF THE MATTER WE HAD COURT CASES THAT WERE GOING ON AT THE TIME AND IT WAS A PROCEDURAL MOVE THAT WE KNEW THAT WE WERE NOT GOING TO MOVE FORWARD IF THOSE COURT CASES DID NOT MOVE FORWARD.

SOME HAD BEEN DONE IN 1960 WITH THE KENNEDY/NIXON CASE WHEN THEY DISPUTED OVER THE STATE OF HAWAII, LOOK THAT UP IF YOU DON'T KNOW ABOUT IT.

AS I TRAVEL AROUND THE STATE NOBODY IS TALKING TO ME ABOUT 2020.

WHAT THEY ARE TALKING TO ME ABOUT IS GAS PRICES, 40 YEAR HIGH INFLATION, CRIME THAT'S GOING ON AND THEN EDUCATION AND WHAT'S GOING ON IN OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM.

AND THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN FOCUSED ON.

THAT'S WHAT I WAS FOCUSED ON IN THE PRIMARY ND THAT'S WHAT I'VE BEEN FOCUSED ON HERE IN THE GENERAL ELECTION AS WELL.

>> THANK YOU.

THAT CONCLUDES THE FIRST ROUND OF OUR DEBATE.

THE CANDIDATES WILL NOW ASK A QUESTION TO AN OPPONENT OF THEIR CHOICE.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE 30 SECONDS TO ASK THEIR QUESTION, 60 SECONDS TO RESPOND AND THEN THE CANDIDATES WHO ASK THE QUESTION WILL HAVE 30 SECONDS FOR A REBUTTAL.

BY RANDOM SELECTION, CHARLIE BAILEY, YOU MAY ASK THE FIRST QUESTION.

>> THANK YOU.

MY QUESTION IS TO MR. JONES.

MR. JONES, YOU SERVED AS A FAKE ELECTOR FOR DONALD TRUMP, YOU IN SECRET FORGED A FAKE ELECTORAL BALLOT AND NOT ONLY THAT YOU GOT ON YOUR DADDY'S PLANE THE DAY BEFORE THE INSURRECTION, FLEW TO WASHINGTON, D.C. WITH A LETTER IN YOUR POCKET TO URGE THE VICE PRESIDENT NOT TO COUNT THE ELECTORAL VOTES, ALL THINGS THAT WERE AIMED AT OVERTURNING ELECTIONS.

SO MY QUESTION TO YOU IS ARE YOU FINALLY READY TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ACTIONS AND APOLOGIZE TO THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA FOR THOSE UNLOCKING DEMOCRATIC ACTIONS?

>> WELL, HERE WE ARE AGAIN, DIFFERENT RACE, SAME ACCUSATIONS.

I'VE GOT AN OPPONENT HERE THAT WANTS TO ATTACK MY FAMILY, WANTS TO ATTACK ME PERSONALLY AND I THINK I JUST ANSWERED THE QUESTION THAT RAHUL GAVE ME, I THINK IT'S THE SAME THING YOU JUST ASKED ME THERE, BUT, YOU KNOW, I'M WANT TO GO TALK ABOUT THE ISSUES THAT ARE CONCERNING GEORGIANS RIGHT NOW AND MY OPPONENT IS WANTING TO TALK ABOUT OTHER THINGS.

EVERYTHING ITSELF WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THIS 40 YEAR INFLATION, WHICH IS A DIRECT REFLECTION OF THE BIDEN ADMINISTRATION WHICH I KNOW YOU ENDORSE AND WHAT'S GOING ON WITH THE CRIME IN THE STREETS AND OUR CAPITAL CITY, WHICH I KNOW YOU ARE FOR ALLOWING NO CASH BAIL AND ALSO HAVING DAs THAT DON'T PROSECUTE CRIMINAL ACTIVITY.

SO WHILE MOST -- WHILE GEORGIANS I TALK TO EVERY DAY ARE CONCERNED ABOUT HOW THE COST OF LIVING IS GOING TO BE, YOU CAN CONTINUE TO TALK ABOUT 2018 AND 2020 ALL YOU WANT.

>> OKAY.

MR. BAILEY, YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS.

>> SO WHAT WE HEARD THERE IS SOMEONE THAT HAS CONTINUED NOT TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR HIS ACTIONS AND I DIDN'T HEAR AN APOLOGY TO THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA FOR TRYING TO THROW OUT THEIR MILLIONS OF CERTIFIED VOTES.

YOU KNOW, AS A FORMER PROSECUTOR I'VE SEEN THIS A NUMBER OF TIMES, PEOPLE THAT HAVE DONE SOMETHING THAT'S WRONG, THEY WANT TO TALK ABOUT ANYTHING OTHER THAN WHAT THEY DID, AND THE TRUTH IS, MR. JONES, WHAT YOU DID WAS UNLOCKING AMERICAN AND UNLOCKING PATRIOTIC.

YOU DON'T GET TO DECIDE FOR THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA WHO SERVES THEM AND WHO IS THEIR ELECTED LEADERS.

THAT'S THEIR CHOICE, NOT YOURS.

>> MAY I?

>> WE HAVE TO MOVE ON, BUT SENATOR JONES, IT'S YOUR CHANCE TO HAVE A QUESTION NOW.

>> OKAY.

WELL, I'D LIKE TO RESPOND TO THAT, BUT THAT'S FINE, I CAN ASK A QUESTION HERE.

THE QUESTION GOES TO MR. BAILEY.

CHARLIE, YOU'VE MADE YOUR WHOLE CAMPAIGN ABOUT BEING A PROSECUTOR AND BEING TOUGH ON CRIME AND BEING SOMEBODY WHO IF ELECTED WOULD BE A VERY PRO LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSON, BUT AS YOUR TIME AS DA -- AS ASSISTANT DA IN FULTON COUNTY YOU WERE SUSPENDED WITHOUT PAY BACK IN 2017 FOR ACTIONS UNLOCKING BECOMING OF THE OFFICE OF DA.

WOULD YOU LIKE TO EXPLAIN TO THE VOTERS WHAT THAT -- WHAT THAT WAS THAT WAS SO UNLOCKING FULTON COUNTY DA?

>> I'M PROUD OF MY TIME AS A SENIOR ASSISTANT DISTRICT ATTORNEY IN FULTON COUNTY.

I PROSECUTED HUNDREDS OF CASES, INCLUDING CASES WHERE FOLKS WERE ACCUSED OF CRIMES LIKE MURDER AND VIOLENT KIDNAPPING, DOMESTIC ABUSE.

I'M NOT GOING TO BE LECTURED BY SOMEBODY THAT IS CURRENTLY UNDER FBI INVESTIGATION AS WE SPEAK FOR MULTIPLE FELONIES.

I'VE ACTUALLY DONE WORK AS OPPOSED TO GETTING IN FRONT OF A CAMERA AND TALKING ABOUT KEEPING COMMUNITIES SAFE, I'VE ACTUALLY DONE THE WORK WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT TO KEEP COMMUNITIES SAFE AND TO GET FOLKS JUSTICE THAT OTHER FOLKS THINK, YOU KNOW, THAT THEY DIDN'T MATTER AND THAT'S WHY THEY WERE VICTIMIZED.

I'M PROUD OF THE WORK THAT I DID, I'M PROUD OF THE PEOPLE THAT I WAS ABLE TO WORK WITH AND -- AND I APPRECIATE THE QUESTION, BUT I STAND ON MY RECORD.

>> MR. JONES, YOU HAVE 30 SECONDS.

>> SINCE HE DIDN'T ANSWER THE QUESTION, I CAN ANSWER IT FOR EVERYBODY.

WHEN HE WAS ASSIGNED BY PAUL HOWARD, HIS FIRST CRIMINAL CASE, WHICH IS A GANG-RELATED CASE, HE DECIDED TO TAKE A LEAVE OF ABSENCE AND GO ON A GOLF TRIP.

THAT'S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT YOU HAVE HERE, YOU'VE GOT SOMEBODY WHO HAS GOT A RECORD LIKE MYSELF OF BEING A LAW AND ORDER PERSON, THAT'S WHY MOST SHERIFFS AROUND THE STATE ENDORSED MY CANDIDACY FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR AND ONE WHO WOULD RATHER GO ON VACATION THAN TRY TO -- TRY TO GO AFTER HARDENED CRIMINALS.

>> OKAY.

MR. GRAHAM, YOU'VE GOT THE FINAL QUESTION IN THIS ROUND FOR ONE OF YOUR OPPONENTS.

>> THANK YOU.

MY QUESTION IS FOR BURT JONES.

ON OCTOBER 13th YOU TWEETED OUT THAT INFLATION IS OUT OF CONTROL, DECIMATED, REAL WAGES ARE PLUMMETING AND GAS PRICES ARE THROUGH THE ROOF.

ALL THAT IS TRUE BUT YOU SAID DEMOCRATS ARE SOLELY TO BLAME.

PRESIDENT TRUMP PRE-PANDEMIC CONTINUED PRESIDENT OBAMA'S POLICY CONTRIBUTING TO THE HEAVY INFLATION LEVELS YOU'RE SEEING.

HOW CAN YOU SOLVE THE ISSUE IF UNABLE TO CONCEDE TO CONTRIBUTIONS BY REPUBLICANS BEING FELT BY GEORGIANS.

>> THERE IS NO QUESTION IN WASHINGTON, D.C.

IT'S BROKEN AND YOU HAVE OUT OF CONTROL SPENDING DONE BY BOTH REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS, BUT WHAT WE HAVE TO DO IS FOCUS ON WHAT WE CAN CONTROL HERE IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

THAT'S WHY I'VE LED THE CHARGE ON ELIMINATING THE GAS TAX, YOU KNOW, JUST GIVE PEOPLE RELIEF AT THE PUMP, THESE LAST SIX OR SEVEN MONTHS WE HAVE HAD, THAT'S ALSO WHY I'VE BEEN PUSHING TO ELIMINATE OUR STATE INCOME TAX, WHICH IS SOMETHING THAT WILL HELP ALL GEORGIANS PUT MONEY BACK INTO THE POCKETS OF HARD WORKING GEORGIANS, SMALL BUSINESSES, FAMILIES AND THINGS OF THAT NATURE AND I'M COMMITTED TO CONTINUE TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN TO CURB THE COSTS OF GEORGIANS BECAUSE I THINK OUR MONEY -- THE MONEY IS BETTER USED IN THEIR POCKETS THAN IT IS IN STATE OR FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> MR. GRAHAM, YOUR REBUTTAL?

>> SUSPENSION OF THE GAS TAX IS GREAT, I WOULD ARGUE THAT ELIMINATION WOULD BE EVEN BETTER.

LIKE YOU SAID, ACTUALLY.

PRESIDENT TRUMP CONTINUED PRESIDENT OBAMA'S POLICY OF INCREASING THE MONEY SUPPLIED TO PAY FOR EVER INCREASING BUDGETS BY THE END OF HIS ONE TERM IN OFFICE $6.7 TRILLION WAS ADDED TO THE NATIONAL DEBT.

PRESIDENT TRUMP CRITICIZED GOVERNOR KEMP FOR REOPENING OUR ECONOMY TOO EARLY DURING THE PANDEMIC.

GEORGIA SHOULD HAVE NEVER BEEN SHUT DOWN IN THE FIRST PLACE.

PRESIDENT TRUMP IMPLEMENTED PROTECTIONIST TARIFFS THAT INCREASED CRIES PRICES FOR ALL AMERICANS.

PRESIDENT BIDEN HAS CONTINUED THEM.

THE TRUTH IS THIS INFLATION HAS BEEN BIPARTISAN.

>> THANK YOU.

THAT CONCLUDES OUR SECOND ROUND.

FOR THOSE JUST JOINING US THIS IS THE GENERAL ELECTION DEBATE BETWEEN CANDIDATES FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

WE WILL NOW GO BACK TO OUR PANELISTS TO ASK QUESTIONS TO THE CANDIDATE OF THEIR CHOICE UNTIL WE RUN OUT OF TIME.

NOW, AS A POINT OF MODERATOR FRENCH I MAY ALSO ASK QUESTIONS OF THE CANDIDATES AND I WILL DETERMINE WHEN A REBUTTAL IS APPROPRIATE.

JAMES, YOU GET THE FIRST QUESTION IN THIS ROUND.

>> I'D LIKE TO ASK MR. GRAHAM YOU MENTIONED THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO ELIMINATE THE GAS TAX IN THE STATE AND I'VE HEARD LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATES ALSO TALK ABOUT ELIMINATING VARIOUS OTHER TAXES.

IF YOU DO THAT, WHAT DO YOU THINK SHOULD BE ELIMINATED FROM THE STATE BUDGET TO MAKE UP FOR THE FACT THAT WE WOULD NOT HAVE THE REVENUE UNDER YOUR -- >> SO LIBERTARIANS BELIEVE IN A CULTURE OF CONSENT AND THAT GOES FOR ALL THINGS.

SO IF VALUE IS BEING ADDED FOR SOMETHING WE BELIEVE THAT PEOPLE WILL PAY FOR T JUST LIKE YOU DO EVERY OTHER THING.

SO YOU WANT TO BUY YOUR MILK AND BREAD AT THE STORE, THAT'S VALUE ADDED, YOU PAY FOR IT, RIGHT?

SO WE DON'T BELIEVE THAT YOU HAVE TO TAKE MONEY FROM PEOPLE IN THE FORM OF TAXES TO PAY FOR GOODS AND SERVICES THAT ARE PROVIDED BY GOVERNMENT TODAY.

AND I DON'T THINK ANYTHING NEEDS TO -- I THINK YOU CAN CUT THINGS FROM THE BUDGET AND THAT DOESN'T NECESSARILY CUT THOSE SERVICES FROM SOCIETY, WE JUST NEED TO FIND BETTER WAYS TO PAY FOR IT AT A CONSENSUAL MANNER.

>> HOW WOULD YOU PAY FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, FOR INSTANCE, IF YOU ELIMINATED THE FUNDING THAT GOES TOWARDS PUBLIC -- >> THERE'S INCREDIBLE DEMAND FOR PUBLIC SCHOOLS.

EVERYBODY WANTS THEIR KID TO BE EDUCATED.

THERE IS NO REASON TO BELIEVE THAT ANOTHER SYSTEM BESIDES TAKING MONEY FROM PEOPLE VIA PROPERTY TAXES USUALLY WOULD BE -- WOULD NOT BE FEASIBLE.

SO, YOU KNOW, I WANT TO SEND MY KID TO SCHOOL, I WOULD PAY FOR IT.

INSTEAD OF PAYING FOR PROPERTY TAXES I WOULD PAY FOR THE SCHOOL DIRECTLY.

>> RAHUL, IT'S YOUR TURN.

>> QUESTION FOR CHARLIE BAILEY.

MR. BAILEY, ONE OF THE THINGS BASED ON HOW MANY PEOPLE GET ELECTED TO THE LEGISLATURES, IS THE POSSIBILITY OF PUTTING GAMBLING ON THE STATEWIDE BALLOT FOR VOTERS TO DECIDE.

TWO QUESTIONS FOR YOU.

WHAT FORMS OF GAMBLING WOULD YOU -- IF YOU SUPPORT IT -- WHAT FORMS OF GAMBLING WOULD YOU PUT ON THE BALLOT AND WHERE SHOULD THAT MONEY GO?

>> WELL, I SUPPORT LEGALIZING CASINO GAMBLING, LEGALIZING SPORTS BETTING, AS WELL AS PARI-MUTUEL HORSE BETTING GAMBLING.

THESE ARE THINGS THAT FOLKS IN GEORGIA ARE ALREADY DOING AND IT'S THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA, THOUGH, ARE NOT GETTING ANY TAX REVENUE THAT CAN GO INTO OUR SCHOOLS TO HELP PAY OUR TEACHERS MORE, TO HELP REDUCE CLASS SIZES, TO RESTORE HOPE, TO -- YOU KNOW, TO DO ALL THE THINGS THAT WE NEED TO DO TO MAKE OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM A 21st CENTURY EDUCATION SYSTEM.

SO I SUPPORT LEGALIZING ALL THOSE FORMS THAT I MENTIONED AND THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA DO AS WELL, AND WITH THAT MONEY WE CAN FINALLY INVEST AND NOT JUST HAVE WORDS ABOUT CARING ABOUT EDUCATION BUT HAVE THE DEEDS BEHIND IT SO THAT OUR KIDS CAN HAVE THE BEST OPPORTUNITIES THEY CAN COMING OUT OF HIGH SCHOOL TO PRESERVE -- TO PURSUE THE KIND OF LIFE THAT THEY WANT TO PURSUE.

>> ONE QUICK FOLLOW-UP.

WOULD YOU WANT IT TO BE ON THE BALLOT HOW THE MONEY IS SPENT OR WOULD YOU WANT THE LEGISLATURE TO DECIDE HOW THE MONEY IS SPENT?

>> WELL, I THINK WE CAN TALK ABOUT THAT.

YOU KNOW, BUT I DON'T -- YOU KNOW, THE PEOPLE HAVE BEEN CLEAR, THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA ARE CLEAR WHERE THEY STAND ON THESE ISSUES AND I THINK EDUCATION IN PARTICULAR RESTORING HOPE, MAKING TECHNICAL SCHOOL TUITION FREE, MAKING IT SO THAT WE ACTUALLY HAVE UNIVERSAL PRE-K AND PAYING OUR TEACHERS MORE AND REDUCING CLASS SIZES IS WHERE THAT MONEY NEEDS TO GO.

THAT'S MY OPINION.

>> OKAY.

THANK YOU.

SENATOR JONES, ONE OF YOUR TOP ISSUES ON YOUR WEBSITE IS ELECTION INTEGRITY AND IT SPECIFICALLY SAYS ON YOUR WEBSITE THAT YOU PLAYED AN INTEGRAL ROLE IN THE PASSAGE OF THE ELECTION INTEGRITY ACT ALSO KNOWN AS SENATE BILL 202.

>> SURE.

>> BUT YOU WERE NOT ONE OF THE 23 REPUBLICANS CO-SPONSORS OF THAT LEGISLATION.

CAN YOU EXPLAIN WHAT WAS YOUR ROLE IN GETTING THAT LEGISLATION THROUGH THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY?

>> WELL, NUMBER ONE, I VOTED FOR IT AND I SUPPORTED IT.

THERE WAS ALMOST 80 SO ODD ELECTION BILLS THAT CAME THROUGH IN THE 2021 SESSION SO SOME OF THEM I WAS SIGNED ON TO, SOME OF THEM WASN'T MADE AVAILABLE FOR ME TO SIGN ON TO, BUT I SUPPORTED THE 202 BILL AND I THINK IT'S COME TO -- WE'VE COME TO REALIZE THAT IT'S ACTUALLY WORKING, YOU KNOW, THIS PAST -- INSTEAD OF -- AS PEOPLE THOUGHT IT WOULD RESTRICT VOTING THIS PAST PRIMARY IN '22 WE HAD RECORD TURNOUT IN THE PRIMARY, WE HAVE THREE WEEKS OF EARLY VOTING, WE HAVE -- YOU KNOW, WE HAVE A SITUATION WHERE WE HAVE WEEKEND VOTES AND WHILE IT WAS NOT PERFECT NO PIECE OF LEGISLATION IS, I THINK YOU'RE SEEING RIGHT NOW THAT IT HAS MADE IT EASIER TO VOTE AND HARDER TO CHEAT.

>> THANK YOU.

JAMES?

>> SENATOR JONES, LAST TIME YOU WERE HERE YOU SAID YOU SUPPORTED TOTAL BAN ON ABORTION WITH NO EXCEPTIONS, SINCE THEN YOUR CAMPAIGN INDICATED YOU SUPPORT SOME EXEMPTIONS.

WHAT ARE THOSE INSTANCES WHERE YOU WOULD -- WHERE YOU WOULD BE OKAY WITH THAT?

>> WELL, I MEAN, IT GOES TO THE BILL WE PASSED IN 2019.

THIS IS VERY EMOTIONAL ISSUE AND I FEEL FOR THOSE WHO HAVE TO -- THOSE MOTHERS WHO HAVE TO FACE A SITUATION WHERE THEY HAVE TO MAKE DECISIONS AND HAVING TO LOOK AT WHAT THEIR FUTURE MIGHT LOOK LIKE, BUT IN 2019 WE PASSED A BILL THAT DID HAVE EXEMPTIONS, IT WAS IN THE CASE OF RAPE, IN THE CASE OF INCEST AND THE WELL-BEING OF A MOTHER.

SO I HAVE SUPPORTED THAT BILL THEN AND MOVING FORWARD I THINK WHAT WE NEED TO FOCUS ON IS MAKING SURE THAT WE HAVE CRITICAL ACCESS FACILITIES, HEALTH FACILITIES FOR WOMEN WHO ARE FACED WITH THOSE DECISIONS TO BE ABLE TO UTILIZE AS FAR AS SHORE UP OUR FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AND ALSO MAKING ADOPTION A LOT EASIER THAN WHAT IT IS CURRENTLY HERE IN THE STATE OF GEORGIA.

SO THOSE ARE THE THINGS I WANT TO BE FOCUSED ON.

>> WOULD YOU SUPPORT ANY CHANGES NEXT YEAR?

>> NO, I THINK -- I THINK WHAT WE HAVE IS -- YOU KNOW, YOU PASSED IT IN 2019 AND I AM GOOD WITH, YOU KNOW -- I'M GOOD WITH, YOU KNOW, US MOVING FORWARD AND WORKING ON THOSE THINGS LIKE I TALKED ABOUT, HAVING THE EXCEPTIONS IN THERE AND WORKING ON THE FOSTER CARE SYSTEM AS WELL AS ACCESS TO CRITICAL HEALTH FACILITIES AND ADOPTION AS WELL.

>> THIS IS A VERY IMPORTANT ISSUE SO I'D LIKE TO GET MR. BAILEY AND MR. GRAHAM A CHANCE TO WEIGH IN ON THE HEARTBEAT BILL AS WELL.

MR. BAILEY, WOULD YOU LIKE TO GO FIRST?

>> I BELIEVE THAT THE SIX-WEEK ABORTION BAN THAT HAS BEEN PASSED IS AN INFRINGEMENT ON THE WOMEN OF GEORGIA AND THEIR RIGHT TO MAKE THEIR OWN HEALTH CARE DECISIONS AND I THINK IT'S OUTRAGEOUS THAT MR. JONES STATED PUBLICLY THAT HE IS NOT EVEN FOR EXCEPTIONS FOR THE VICTIMS OF RAPE, THE VICTIMS OF INCEST, FOR WOMEN WHOSE LIVES ARE IN DANGER.

I SUPPORT CODIFYING THE PROTECTIONS OF ROE v. WADE IN OUR STATE LAW UNDER OUR STATE RIGHT TO PRIVACY.

IF THE SUPREME COURT IS GOING TO BE DERELICT IN ITS DUTY TO PROTECT THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF THE WOMEN OF GEORGIA AND TREAT THEM AS EQUAL HUMAN BEINGS DESERVING OF DIGNITY AND THEIR OWN CHOICE THEN WE WILL STAND IN THE BREACH AND IF I'M LUCKY ENOUGH TO BECOME LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR I WILL FIGHT UNTIL WE HAVE THOSE PROTECTIONS IN OUR STATE LAW FOR THE WOMEN OF GEORGIA.

>> MR. GRAHAM?

>> I BELIEVE IN THE SOVEREIGNTY OF WOMEN OVER THEIR OWN BODIES AND I DON'T THINK THAT POLITICIANS SHOULD HAVE CONTROL OVER THEIR BODIES.

AND SO FIRST AND FOREMOST I DON'T THINK THERE SHOULD BE LAWS AROUND ABORTION AT ALL REGARDING THAT.

WHAT I DO BELIEVE IS -- SO PROHIBITION DOESN'T WORK, RIGHT?

THERE ARE MORAL ISSUES WITH ABORTION THAT NEED TO BE RESOLVED BUT PROHIBITION DOESN'T WORK AND WHAT YOU END UP DOING WHEN YOU PUT IT IN THE DARK IS YOU MAKE IT UNSAFE AND YOU DON'T STOP IT FROM HAPPENING ANYWAY, THE DATA SHOWS THAT.

WHAT YOU WANT TO DO IS MAKE SURE THAT IT IS LEGAL, THAT IT IS SAFE AND THAT YOU'RE NOT INFRINGING ON THE RIGHTS OF WOMEN AND THAT YOU'RE OFFERING OTHER OPPORTUNITIES BESIDES ABORTION.

SO YOU WANT TO HAVE INCREASED ACCESS TO CONTRACEPTIVES, YOU WANT TO HAVE OVER THE COUNTER BIRTH CONTROL, BETTER EDUCATION ABOUT CONTRACEPTIVES, THOSE THINGS HELP WITH THE IISSUE.

>> WE HAVE TIME FOR ONE MORE QUESTION.

RAHUL.

>> I WILL IT TRY TO MAKE IT A LIGHTNING QUICK QUESTION.

IT'S IN REFERENCE TO A PREVIOUS DEBATE, THE INSURANCE COMMISSIONER'S DEBATE.

A QUICK YES OR NO AND MAYBE A QUICK SENTENCE.

WOULD YOU THROUGH THE LEGISLATURE GIVE THE GEORGIA INSURANCE COMMISSIONER MORE POWER OVER AUTO INSURANCE RATES UP TO THE APPROVAL POWER OF AUTO INSURANCE RATES?

WE CAN START WITH CHARLIE BAILEY AND GO RIGHT DOWN THE LINE, A QUICK YES OR NO AND A SENTENCE.

>> WELL, I WOULD AND THEY NEED TO USE THAT -- THAT POWER TO REDUCE THE CAR INSURANCE RATES WHICH ARE SOME OF THE HIGHEST IN THE ENTIRE COUNTRY.

>> MR. GRAHAM.

>> NO, CENTRAL PLANNING DOESN'T WORK, IT INCREASES COSTS ELSEWHERE AND WE NEED TO GET RID OF WHAT I CALL CZARS IN GEORGIA.

>> SENATOR JONES.

>> I WOULD BE CAREFUL ABOUT ALLOWING AN AGENCY TO HAVE THE ABILITY JUST TO RAISE PRICES.

SO I WOULD -- I WOULD WANT TO LOOK AT THAT THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

THAT WAS QUICK.

GREAT JOB, GUYS.

THAT IS ALL THE TIME WE HAVE FOR QUESTIONS.

EACH CANDIDATE WILL HAVE 60 SECONDS FOR A CLOSING STATEMENT.

BURT JONES, YOU GET THE FIRST CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> WELL, THANK YOU AND I APPRECIATE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB FOR HAVING US HERE TODAY.

I JUST WANT TO THANK EVERYONE FOR BEING ON THE CAMPAIGN TRAIL AND ALL OF THE SUPPORT THAT WE'VE RECEIVED SINCE WE STARTED THIS OVER A YEAR AGO.

LOOK, I'M BURT JONES, I'M A FATHER, A HUSBAND, A SMALL BUSINESS OWNER AND A STATE LEGISLATOR.

I'M A SIX-GENERATION GEORGIAN, I LOVE THE STATE OF GEORGIA AND I BELIEVE THAT THE STATE OF GEORGIA HAS A BRIGHT FUTURE AHEAD OF IT.

WE'VE BEEN THE NUMBER ONE STATE TO DO BUSINESS IN FOR NINE STRAIGHT YEARS AND IT'S BEEN BECAUSE OF GOOD, STRONG, CONSERVATIVE LEADERSHIP THAT WE'VE HAD.

I'VE BEEN IN THE PRIVATE SECTOR AND I'VE BEEN IN THE LEGISLATURE AND I KNOW WHAT WORKS AND WHAT DOES NOT WORK.

I KNOW HOW TO SIGN THE FRONT PART OF A CHECK AS OPPOSED TO THE BACK AND I KNOW WHAT GEORGIANS ARE GOING THROUGH WITH THE ECONOMY, INFLATION, EVERYTHING ELSE, CRIME IN THE STREETS, THAT'S WHY AS YOUR NEXT LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR MY MAIN FOCUS IS ABOUT PUTTING RESOURCES BACK IN YOUR POCKET.

THAT'S WHY I'M FOR EVE NATION THE STATE INCOME TAX, BEING WITH OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AS WELL AS CREATING A WORLD CLASS K THROUGH 12 EDUCATION SYSTEM.

WE CAN DO IT TOGETHER AND WITH YOUR HELP ON NOVEMBER 8 WE WILL MAKE IT HAPPEN.

BURT JONES FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

THANK YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

CHARLIE BAILEY, IT'S YOUR TURN.

>> MY NAME IS CHARLIE BAILEY, I'M AN EIGHTH GENERATION GEORGIAN, A SEVENTH GENERATION HARRIS COUNTIEN.

I'M AN ATTORNEY AND FORMER PROSECUTOR AND I'VE SPENT MY CAREER FIGHTING TO GET PEOPLE JUSTICE AND I'M RUNNING FOR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR BECAUSE EVERY DAY THE VAST MAJORITY OF GEORGIANS THEY GET UP AND THEY GO TO WORK AND THEY ARE WORRIED ABOUT IS MY KID SAFE, HOW ARE THEY DOING IN SCHOOL, IF I GET A HOSPITAL BILL CAN I PAY IT.

INSTEAD OF WORKING ON THOSE ISSUES THAT ARE THE CLOSEST TO THE HEARTS AND THE EVERYDAY LIVES OF THE PEOPLE OF GEORGIA, MY OPPONENT BURT JONES IN THIS RACE HAS BEEN ENGAGED IN A POLITICS OF EXTREMISM AND DIVISION.

IT IS A POLITICS THAT STANDS AGAINST THE VALUES THAT I GREW UP ON, WHICH ARE GEORGIA VALUES AND THEY ARE VERY SIMPLY WE ARE ALL HUMAN BEINGS, THAT WE ALL LOVE OUR FAMILIES AND WE ALL DESERVE THE SAME DIGNITY, SAME SAFETY, SAME JUSTICE, SAME OPPORTUNITY TO LEAVE FOR OUR KIDS A BETTER LIFE THAN THE ONE THAT WE HAD.

THOSE ARE THE VALUES THAT HAVE DRIVEN MY LIFE, DRIVEN MY CAREER AND WILL DRIVE ME EVERY SINGLE DAY IF I'M LUCKY ENOUGH TO BECOME YOUR LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

MY NAME IS CHARLIE BAILEY AND I WOULD BE HONORED TO EARN YOUR VOTE.

>> RYAN GRAHAM, YOU GET THE FINAL CLOSING STATEMENT.

>> THANK YOU, ATLANTA PRESS CLUB FOR HOSTING THIS GATE SAND FOR GIVING GEORGIANS A CHANCE TO HEAR FROM ALL THE CHOICES OF LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR.

I'M POLLING AS HIGH AS 8% IN MULTIPLE POLLS, THAT NUMBER MEANS MORE PEOPLE ARE DISSATISFIED WITH POLITICS AS USUAL, IT ALSO MEANS WE'RE ENSURED A RUNOFF, THE ONLY QUESTION IS WHO WILL BE IN IT.

THE SPOILER EFFECT IS GONE, IT'S ALREADY CLEAR THAT NEITHER OF MY OPPONENTS HAVE SECURED THE 50% REQUIRED TO WIN.

SO WITH THAT YOU CAN FEEL FREE TO VOTE YOUR CONSCIENCE ON NOVEMBER 8th.

VOTE FOR THE PERSON WHO MOST REPRESENTS YOUR VALUES.

VOTE TO SEND A MESSAGE TO REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS ALIKE THAT WE ARE DONE WITH THEIR POLITICAL GAMES.

IF IT COMES TO IT YOU CAN VOTE FOR THE LESSER OF TWO EVILS IN DECEMBER.

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT MY KPANL AT -- AT GRAHAM FOR DA.COM.

>>> THAT CONCLUDES OUR DEBATE.

ELECTION DAY IS ON TUESDAY NOVEMBER 8th AND EARLY VOTING IS ALREADY UNDER WAY.

OUR THANKS TO THE CANDIDATES AND TO OUR PANEL OF JOURNALISTS, RAHUL AND JAMES, THANK YOU BOTH.

AND THANK YOU TO THE ATLANTA PRESS CLUB FOR ARRANGING TODAY'S DEBATE.

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE DEBATES THEY WILL HOST THIS ELECTION SEASON, YOU CAN VISIT ATLANTAPRESSCLUB.ORG/DBIETS.

I'M CLAIRE SIMMS.

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