By Jill Nolin | Editor
Happy Saturday! Let’s review.
Trump’s return to Dalton: President Donald Trump campaigned for Mike Collins and Rick Jackson last night in Dalton, as well as down-ballot Republicans. We explored in this story to what extent his visit really helps the Georgia Republicans he seeks to boost.
Debate season continued: Keisha Lance Bottoms had the stage to herself this week after Rick Jackson declined to participate in the Atlanta Press Club’s debates, making him the first general election candidate for governor to do so in three decades. And U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff and Congressman Mike Collins turned up the heat even more in their second meeting on the debate stage.
Early voting turnout: More than 700,000 Georgians have voted in the first four days of early voting. The last day to vote early is Oct. 30, and Election Day is Nov. 3. Need help finding an early voting place in your county? Consult our handy statewide map.
Voter guide: Not sure who those down-ballot candidates are? Still trying to make sense of the ballot measures? Check out our voter guide. We’ve also added links to the debate videos to the individual races to make them easier to find.
That’s all for now. Hope you enjoy the weekend.
Congressman Mike Collins, who is the the GOP nominee for Georgia's U.S. Senate seat, speaks on stage with President Donald Trump at a rally in Dalton on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder
2026 ELECTION
By Ross Williams and Alander Rocha
President Donald Trump returned to conservative northwest Georgia Friday, sharing a rally stage with the GOP nominee for the U.S. Senate and the Republican who hopes to serve as Georgia’s next governor – all while repeating unfounded claims that the 2020 election was rigged.
Early voting started Monday for the Nov. 3 election. About 700,000 Georgians have already cast a ballot as of Friday.
Congressman Mike Collins, a Jackson Republican who has been trailing Democratic U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff in the polls, was effusive in his praise of the president.
“I want to do something real quick, and that’s just to tell you personally, personally, not just from me, but from everybody in here and across the state and across this country, sir, we appreciate your leadership, your backbone, your standing up for America and putting America first,” Collins said to Trump on stage.
Candidates for lieutenant governor, Greg Dolezal (left) and Josh McLaurin, participate in the Atlanta Press Club debate at Georgia Public Broadcasting’s studios. Pool photo via J Glenn Photography
2026 ELECTION
By Maya Homan
With early voting already underway across the state, the race to be Georgia’s next lieutenant governor is becoming increasingly contentious as the two candidates strive to appeal to undecided voters — and explain why their opponent is the wrong choice.
Both men are members of the state Senate with reputations for being outspoken and unafraid to advocate for their beliefs on the Senate floor. But that’s where the similarities end.
U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff at an Atlanta rally Aug. 16, 2026. Ross Williams/Georgia Recorder
COMMENTARY
By Jay Bookman
The late Harry Reid saw a lot of people come and go during his 30 years in the U.S. Senate. In an oral history with Columbia University, he recalled the first time he saw a newcomer from Illinois, a man named Barack Obama, deliver a speech on the Senate floor.
“I walked over to him. He’s sitting at his desk. I look down at him and I said, ‘Senator, that was really a good speech. That was good.’ He looked at me so seriously, and so intently, without a hint of braggadocio, and said, ‘I have a gift.’”
Jon Ossoff also has a gift, and like Obama, he knows it.
How could he not?
Democratic gubernatorial candidate Keisha Lance Bottoms stands next to an empty podium during the Atlanta Press Club Loudermilk-Young Governors Debate at the Georgia Public Broadcasting studio in Atlanta on Monday, Oct. 12, 2026. (Abbey Cutrer for the AJC)
2026 ELECTION
By Alander Rocha and Jill Nolin
Keisha Lance Bottoms, the Democratic nominee for governor, debated against an empty podium Monday night after GOP nominee Rick Jackson declined to participate in the Atlanta Press Club’s debates.
The Loudermilk-Young debate series, organized by Atlanta Press Club in partnership with Georgia Public Broadcasting, is a two-day event featuring statewide candidates on the ballot in the general election. Early voting for the Nov. 3 election starts Tuesday.
Jackson, a wealthy healthcare executive, instead spent the day flying around the state talking to reporters and supporters, with stops planned for Columbus, Macon and Savannah, and ended the day with a rally near Augusta.
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OTHER GEORGIA NEWS
ICYMI FROM THE RECORDER
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