Candidates in governor’s race talk priorities before primary election
A nonpartisan gubernatorial forum brought seven candidates seeking Georgia’s highest office to the Porter Sanford III Performing Arts and Community Center in Decatur on April 21.
Hosted by Leadership DeKalb, the event offered residents an opportunity to hear directly from candidates before the May primary election, including:
- Democrat Olu Brown
- Republican Clark Dean
- Democrat Geoff Duncan
- Democrat Jason Esteves
- Democrat Derrick Jackson
- Democrat Michael Thurmond
- Republican Kenneth Yasger
Candidates started off the forum explaining why they are seeking to become Georgia’s next governor.
While Brown said protecting families and children were his priorities, Dean said bettering business throughout the state was his focus.
Jackson and Yasger, both veterans, talked about running to represent those in Georgia who may feel they do not have a voice while also expanding job opportunities.
Former Lt. Gov. Duncan, who switched from the Republican party to run as a Democrat, was the first candidate at the forum to talk about tackling “crises caused by President Donald Trump” and said he would work across the aisle to accomplish his goals.
Thurmond (former superintendent of DeKalb County School District and former CEO of DeKalb County) and Esteves both spoke about focusing on providing better healthcare and helping Georgians “barely getting by.”
When candidates were asked by the forum’s moderator Maya Prabhu, a political journalist, what their top priority would be if elected, tackling Georgia’s healthcare system seemed to top the list.
“There is no wealth building unless you have your health,” said Esteves.
Brown spoke about taking a portion of the state’s current surplus to invest in better mental healthcare throughout the state, while Dean said better healthcare and job creation could go hand in hand through giving medical professionals easier access to credentials.
Yasger said he would privatize healthcare and focus his energy on solving the housing crisis if elected. Duncan agreed that the affordability crisis is real and said he would not “recreate the wheel” but would invest billions in better funding programs that already work.
Thurmond said he would use lessons learned from his time as the leader of DeKalb County and increase funding for childcare services and invest as much as possible into “the next generation.”
Each candidate spoke about working collaboratively with Democrats, Republicans and Independents to get their goals accomplished for all Georgians if elected governor.
Two Democratic candidates who have qualified for the primaries, Keisha Lance Bottoms and Amanda Duffy, did not attend the forum while six Republican candidates who have qualified for the primaries (Chris Carr, Rick Jackson, Burt Jones, Gregg Kirkpatrick, Brad Raffensperger and Tom Williams) also did not attend the debate.
Georgia’s 2026 Primary Election will be held May 19. Visit https://georgia.gov/georgia-general-election-2026 for more information on voting.
