Georgia voters had the chance to meet the candidates in the third race on the January 5th runoff ballot Tuesday evening. Longtime Public Service Commissioner Lauren “Bubba” McDonald is facing challenger Daniel Blackman.
Each candidate stated why voters should support them. Blackman went first.
“What we've seen over the last 22 years of my opponent’s career, and what has happened with the state of Georgia over this past year with COVID-19, this campaign, this election, it's about energy, it's about equity, and it's about access. I believe that this election is not just about utility regulation, it’s about the future health and wellness of our state.”
Followed by McDonald.
“You know the Georgia Public Service Commission is big business. Look at Georgia right now, seven years in a row being one of the best states in the nation to do business in, and I can assure you that it wouldn't be that way if we didn’t have a good energy policy.”
Moderator Mandy Mahoney explained what the PSC does.
“The Public Service Commission addresses energy bills. It is what green lights whether or not we are going to have clean energy in our state.”
The event was organized by the Climate Reality Atlanta chapter. The “Turning Georgia into a Just Energy Power House” Town Hall was streamed live on Facebook and YouTube.
Commissioners serve six-year terms.
Georgia is one of only 11 states that elect members of the Public Service Commission.