Republicans vying for Georgia congressional seat discuss restrictions on abortion and immigration

In a heated Sunday debate among Republican candidates for an open Georgia congressional seat, Brian Jack made sure to highlight his close ties to former President Donald Trump, while his opponents largely ignored Trump’s endorsement of Jack.

The five Republicans vying for their party’s nomination in Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District gathered in Atlanta for the debate. Besides Jack, the contenders included former state senators Mike Crane and Mike Dugan, former state Rep. Philip Singleton, and party activist Jim Bennett. They are all competing to replace Republican U.S. Rep. Drew Ferguson, who is stepping down.

Jack, who served as Trump’s political director and worked for then-U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, repeatedly referenced his work in the Trump administration, pledging to continue that work if elected to Congress.

While some candidates like Crane hinted at McCarthy’s influence in anointing Jack, attacks on the fundraising leader were mostly subdued. Crane, Bennett, and Singleton positioned themselves as more conservative candidates, with each expressing a willingness to join the Freedom Caucus if elected.

The candidates also shared their views on various issues, including abortion, immigration, and election integrity. Despite no reliable evidence to contradict Joe Biden’s win in Georgia in 2020, all candidates believed Trump was the rightful winner of the state’s electoral votes. They also voiced support for more restrictions on immigration and criticized the use of Dominion ballot marking devices in elections.

Overall, the debate showcased a diverse range of viewpoints within the Republican Party as candidates vied for the opportunity to represent Georgia’s 3rd Congressional District.