Bishop, Johnson face off in debate for Georgia’s 2nd Congressional District seat

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WTVM) - WTVM News Leader 9 and WALB News 10 broadcast a debate Friday evening, featuring the candidates vying for Georgia’s 2nd Congressional District seat.

This pivotal race sees incumbent Democrat Sanford Bishop Jr. facing off against Republican challenger Wayne Johnson. The district includes Columbus, Albany, Americus, Cuthbert, Macon, Warner Robins, Perry, Thomasville, Bainbridge, Byron, Cario, Cusseta, and Leesburg.

The hour-long session offered voters a comparison of the candidates’ platforms and visions for the district.

Congressman Bishop, who has served for over 30 years, is vying for another term. He is competing against Johnson, a former senior official under the Trump administration. Both have shared their views on several hot-button issues, including Georgia’s new controversial election rules and immigration.

One question posed to the candidates was whether Georgia is prepared to hold a free and fair election this year. Additionally, they were asked for their thoughts on the new election rules passed by the state board, which require coworkers to hand count ballots, and whether these rules will reassure voters or create more chaos and delay in certifying the results.

“I have full confidence that the election results for the state of Georgia will be properly administered,” said Bishop. “Our governor, Brian Kemp, is absolutely committed to ensuring we have the best election process in the nation. We’ve had many people question some of our past practices, which has actually led to improvements.”

“I believe our elections will be free and fair, but I question whether the count will be,” said Johnson. “The new rules, put in place by a partisan group that took control of the state election board, are not laws but regulations. They are being contested in court by local boards of election who feel they will create chaos.”

The candidates were also asked about their plans for addressing the growing problem of illegal immigrants entering the US without harming Georgia’s agricultural industry, which relies heavily on immigrant workers, and without stigmatizing and threatening immigrants, including those here legally.

“I strongly support legal immigration for those who want to come to our country,” Bishop said. “I believe Congress and our country should allocate resources to border control, technology, and ensure our laws are enforced with additional administrative law judges to determine who should and shouldn’t enter.”

“When it comes to the border, it’s simple,” Johnson said. “We enforce the laws we have. These laws are solid, good, and true, but they’ve been undermined by the current administration with the full support of Sanford Bishop.”

One major topic both candidates agree on is abortion, stating that Roe vs. Wade should not have been overturned.

Watch the full debate above.

General Format for WTVM/WALB 2024 Georgia U.S. House District 2 Candidate Debate:

CANDIDATES: Congressman Sanford Bishop and Dr. Wayne Johnson

LOCATION: WTVM Studio (1909 Wynnton Road, Columbus, GA 31906)

DATE/TIME: Friday, October 11 at 7PM ET (Candidates asked to arrive by 6:15PM ET)

DURATION: Approx. 55 minutes MODERATOR: Dr. David Berggren, Political Science professor at Georgia Southwestern State Uni.

PANELISTS: Roslyn Giles (WTVM), WALB anchor (TBD), student from GSW or Columbus State

AUDIENCE: There is no general public audience. Each candidate is permitted to bring up to five people into the studio (due to limited space). Guests in the studio will be asked to remain silent during the debate and will not be featured on camera. Additional overflow seating for members of each campaign will be available in the newsroom.

DISTRIBUTION: The debate will be televised and streamed live on both WTVM in Columbus (ABC) and WALB in Albany (NBC). Additionally, a replay of the debate will be televised on Sunday, October 13th at 1:30PM ET on WTVM (WALB time TBD).

GENERAL SEQUENCE FOR CANDIDATE FORUM

1. Introduction by moderators

2. Opening statement for each candidate (2 minutes each)

3. Round of questions from moderators

*Each candidate will have 90 seconds to answer

*Candidate order for questioning will alternate

*Candidate who answers 1st will have option for a 30 second rebuttal following each question

4. Media Break #1 (:90 second break)

5. Round of questions from moderators

*Each candidate will have 90 seconds to answer

*Candidate order for questioning will alternate

*Candidate who answers 1st will have option for a 30 second rebuttal following each question

6. Media Break #2 (:90 second break)

7. Closing statement for each candidate (2 minutes each)

GENERAL RULES/NOTES

+ A coin toss witnessed by both candidates prior to the debate will determine the order of the opening statement. The candidate who goes first for the opening statement will also go first for the closing statement.

+ A teleprompter will be available to both candidates for the opening and closing statements. Candidates can either email a statement prior to William McLain (william.mclain@gray.tv) or provide a USB flash drive upon arrival. Candidates will be allotted 5 minutes (separately) to practice with the prompter between 6:30-6:50 if requested.

+ Candidates should conduct themselves in a respectful manner. + Additional requests for rebuttals outside of the format are at the discretion of the moderators. + No media outside of WTVM and WALB will be permitted inside the studio.

TOPICS

+ Abortion / Right to Life / Reproductive Rights

+ Crime / Law & Order / Policing

+ Economy / Jobs / Agriculture

+ Education

+ Election Integrity

+ Environment

+ Government Spending / National Debt / Taxes

+ Gun Rights / Gun Control

+ Health Care

+ Immigration

+ Israel, Palestine and Middle East conflict