The race for Georgia’s next lieutenant governor is intensifying as early voting continues across the state, with Democratic candidate Sen. Josh McLaurin of Sandy Springs and Republican candidate Sen. Greg Dolezal of Cumming clashing over public safety, healthcare, and political affiliations. Debates hosted by the Atlanta Press Club and 11Alive this week highlighted the distinct platforms and criticisms each candidate levies against the other.
On the issue of public safety, Sen. Dolezal has criticized Sen. McLaurin’s record as “soft on crime.” He specifically questioned Sen. McLaurin's opposition to a 2020 proposal that would have required registered sex offenders to post warning signs on their houses during Halloween. Sen. Dolezal also drew a comparison between Sen. McLaurin's stance on public safety and that of Keisha Lance Bottoms during a period of unrest in Atlanta in 2020, stating, “Josh McLaurin, alongside Keisha Lance Bottoms, when it comes to public safety, will be like pouring gasoline on a Wendy’s fire.”
Sen. McLaurin, however, pushed back on these criticisms, explaining his opposition to the 2020 Halloween proposal. He argued that the measure would have violated the Constitution and likely led to “costly litigation,” stating, “At the end of the day, taxpayers have to pay the bill when we do unconstitutional things.” Sen. McLaurin emphasized his support for what he described as common sense criminal justice reforms, similar to those implemented by former Gov. Nathan Deal, a Republican. He described his approach as aligning with a “moderate Republican take on criminal legal reform,” focusing on smart, thoughtful measures that invest in public safety and police officers.
Healthcare has also been a central point of contention. Sen. McLaurin pledged to fully expand Medicaid, arguing that Georgia’s current policies leave hundreds of thousands of people uninsured and struggling with healthcare costs, particularly in rural Georgia. He criticized Gov. Brian Kemp’s signature Pathways to Coverage program, stating it “gave more money to Deloitte consultants than it did for care.” Conversely, Sen. Dolezal supports an “intelligent” Medicaid expansion plan proposed by Republican nominee for governor Rick Jackson. Sen. Dolezal expressed concern that fully expanding Medicaid could force some Georgians off their private insurance plans and onto a state-run program, stating, “What we do not need to do is move people from private plans that they have through their employer or through the exchange onto the government plan.”
The candidates have also focused on each other’s political ties and campaign tactics. Sen. McLaurin has repeatedly questioned Sen. Dolezal about his connections to President Donald Trump, alleging that Sen. Dolezal revamped his website after the primary runoff election to reduce the prominence of references to Trump. Sen. McLaurin also criticized an AI-generated ad published by Sen. Dolezal during the Republican primary, which depicted Muslims terrorizing white Georgia residents, characterizing him as “the Mike Collins of this race” and claiming he is “bringing MAGA and Trumpism to Georgia.” In return, Sen. Dolezal has attempted to portray Sen. McLaurin as out of step with members of the Democratic party on public safety and criminal justice reform, suggesting that Sen. McLaurin's beliefs “belong in California,” not in Georgia.
Beyond their specific disagreements, each candidate brings distinct policy priorities to the campaign. Sen. McLaurin describes himself as a consensus candidate, highlighting his ability to work with Republicans in the state Legislature while advocating for policies such as expanding Medicaid, repealing the state’s six-week abortion ban, and raising the state’s minimum wage. Sen. Dolezal has centered his campaign around traditional conservative goals, including cutting state income and property taxes and expanding Georgia’s school voucher program. He has also incorporated what are described as “culture war issues” into his campaign, pledging to oppose sharia law.
Early voting for the midterm elections is currently underway across Georgia and will continue until October 30. Nearly 189,000 ballots have already been cast statewide. Voters can find information on their polling place through the secretary of state’s My Voter Page or by using the Georgia Recorder’s early voting map.
While national political trends appear to favor Democrats, the outcomes of Georgia’s statewide races remain less clear, according to experts. Emory University political science professor Andra Gillespie noted that unlike top-of-ticket races, the success of down-ballot candidates like those for lieutenant governor will likely depend on which party can more effectively motivate its voters to cast ballots for all races on the ticket. Although Republican voters still outnumber Democrats statewide, Professor Gillespie suggested Democrats may have an advantage this year in terms of voter enthusiasm.
