Georgia gubernatorial candidates sharply divided on key issues as midterms approach

Whereas the races for management of the Home and Senate are getting many of the headlines, Individuals are paying shut consideration to a number of key gubernatorial races. In Georgia, it is a excessive stakes rematch of the 2018 election between Republican Gov. Brian Kemp and Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams.

CBS Information joined each candidates on their marketing campaign buses as they traversed the Peach State, the place voter turnout surpassed the the two million mark Thursday. With 5 days to go till Election Day, the economic system, well being care and crime are all taking heart stage. 

“She stated she would defund the police,” Kemp stated of Abrams.

Abrams argued that Kemp has “lied repeatedly.” 

“We would like legislation enforcement, however we additionally need accountability,” she stated. 

With regard to Georgia’s latest voting legislation, S.B. 202, which Abrams has closely criticized, she instructed CBS Information that “turnout doesn’t disprove suppression, it really defeats suppression.”

Kemp stated the document early voting numbers inform a special story. 

“Stacey Abrams have been saying how dangerous our state is relating to election legal guidelines,” he stated. “And the numbers simply do not show that.”

Abortion is one other flashpoint within the race. A current CBS Information Battleground Tracker ballot discovered that 82% of Democrats say the difficulty is essential of their vote. In a current debate, the governor sidestepped whether or not he would think about extra laws after enacting a so-called “fetal heartbeat” legislation.

“It isn’t my intention to maneuver the abortion debate any additional in Georgia,” Kemp stated. When requested if that meant he wouldn’t pursue any additional restrictions to the process, he instructed CBS Information, “I have been very clear about that problem. My focus is on the long run.”

However Abrams stated she doesn’t consider him.

“I consider Brian Kemp intends to develop his prohibition on abortion,” Abrams stated. “I consider he intends to ban entry to sure types of contraception as a result of he stated so.”

The Senate race has additionally been contentious, with Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock and Herschel Walker in a statistical tie, in line with current polls.