ATLANTA (AP) – Two of the top Georgia Democrats vying to take on Republican Sen. David Perdue in November took hard swipes at each other during a virtual debate Sunday as criticism of the official response to the coronavirus took center stage.
Former Columbus mayor Teresa Tomlinson took an opening shot against former congressional candidate Jon Ossoff, citing a recent internal GOP poll that showed him struggling outside metro Atlanta against Perdue. “People know you, but not enough want to vote for you,” Tomlinson said.
Ossoff fired back by saying that Tomlinson’s “campaign is so weak they didn’t even bother polling your name.”
The evening debate, conducted by online video conference with candidates joining from their homes because of the virus, was awkward at times with coughing and heavy breathing interrupting speakers and, at one point, a dog barking in the background.
“These are different times for a debate,” said Georgia Public Broadcasting host Donna Lowry, as she reminded candidates that their microphones were all on throughout the debate.