Georgia GOP Senate debate set while governor showdown remains uncertain

Debate over debates

U.S. Rep Mike Collins (left) and former football coach Derek Dooley, both Republican candidates for the U.S. Senate, at the Atlanta Press Club Loudermilk-Young debate last month. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

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Things to know

City of Atlanta officials say they are looking to partner with Morehouse School of Medicine on a proposed $800 million hospital that would serve residents in the southern part of the city. (Miguel Martinez/AJC)

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• Gov. Brian Kemp appointed Jillian Gibson as acting district attorney in the Ogeechee Judicial District after the elected official overseeing the office died of an apparent heart attack last week, the AJC’s Alex Nettles reports.
• A Superior Court judge has given a landscaper another chance for benefits after being hurt on the sprawling property of Rick Jackson, the AJC’s Katherine Landergan reports.
• Atlanta officials are partnering with Morehouse School of Medicine on a proposed $800 million hospital to serve residents in the southern part of the city, the AJC’s Shaddi Abusaid reports.

Trump tea leaves

U.S. Rep. Mike Collins (left) shakes hands with President Donald Trump at the White House in January 2025. (Nathan Posner for the AJC)

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Close calls

Georgia State School Superintendent Richard Woods at the Georgia Capitol in January. (Arvin Temkar/AJC)

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• Democratic primary for House District 130. State Rep. Sheila Clark Nelson is at 50.3%. While she is an incumbent, she’s only been in office a few weeks after winning a special election in April. If the results hold, she would avoid a runoff against Sha’Qunta Q. Calles.
• Republican primary for Public Service Commission District 3. Fitz Johnson is at 50.2%. There’s only one other person in the race — Brandon Martin — so there is no runoff. Johnson is trying to get a rematch with Democrat Peter Hubbard, who ousted him from the seat in a special election last year.
• Republican primary for state school superintendent. Incumbent Richard Woods is at 49.9%, which would put him in a runoff with Fred “Bubba” Longgrear. Some Republican leaders, including Georgia House Speaker Jon Burns, are backing Longgrear. For what it’s worth, the Atlanta Press Club plans to hold a debate between Longgrear and Woods on Monday.

Senate watch

U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., seen here at a 2023 news conference in Washington. (Nathan Posner for the AJC)

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Listen up

Keisha Lance Bottoms and U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff lead the Democratic ticket for governor and senator after the May primaries. (AJC file)

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Open secret

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones speaks on the last day of the legislative session at the Capitol in April. (Jason Getz/AJC)

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Today in Washington

• Trump has no public events on his schedule.
• The House and Senate are out for the week.

Clyde‘s side hustle

U.S. Rep. Andrew Clyde stands inside the House of Representatives in 2024 ahead of the State of the Union address. (Nathan Posner for the AJC)

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On the attack

Dr. John Cowan is a neurosurgeon in the Republican runoff in Georgia’s 11th Congressional District. (Courtesy)

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