Trying to make a last-minute decision about a candidate? Check out the Atlanta Press Club Loudermilk 2022 Debate series, the nation’s largest debate series.

According to Atlanta Press Club President Ken Foskett, “Elected officials in an American democracy are expected to field questions from the media. The Atlanta Press Club believes voters learn about a candidate’s readiness for office by his or her willingness to face questions from reporters in a debate.”

Unlike other debates, this longstanding and nationally-viewed series does not allow a studio audience, does not give candidates the questions in advance, and leaves the door open for invited candidates up until the debate begins. No-shows are represented by an empty podium.

These best practices limit the degree to which any candidate can stage responses or waste viewers’ time. The APC debates also are open to third-party candidates.

Notable no-shows from this year’s debate series included candidate Herschel Walker in the U.S. Senate debate and U.S. Rep. David Scott in the House 13 debate. Walker had told The Clayton Crescent’s Robin Kemp during a campaign rally in Jonesboro, “If he [Warnock] shows up, I’ll show up.” Sources have told The Clayton Crescent that Scott was not feeling well the night of the debate.

The APC Debates Committee decides which races to cover, giving particular weight to offices that affect the most people or that have particularly high interest. Members of the Debate Committee must attest in writing that they have not engaged in any political activity in the past four years.

Learn more about the Atlanta Press Club Loudermilk Debate Series.