A Georgia congressional candidate convicted of a misdemeanor for illegally demonstrating inside the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, walked out of a televised debate with a fellow Republican on Sunday ahead of a June 18 primary runoff. Chuck Hand and Wayne Johnson are vying for the GOP nomination in southwest Georgia's 2nd Congressional District to challenge Democratic incumbent Rep. Sanford Bishop in November.
Hand, who was sentenced to 20 days in federal prison and six months of probation for his involvement in the Jan. 6 riot, refused to debate Johnson after a third-place primary finisher endorsed Johnson and raised past legal issues against Hand. This led to Hand abruptly leaving the debate, citing concerns over the endorsement and accusations made against him.
Johnson, a former U.S. Education Department official, criticized Hand's departure, questioning his suitability as a nominee. Hand later accused Johnson of orchestrating the attacks against him during the debate. Hand emphasized his working-class background and support for Donald Trump's policies, aiming to unite Black and white workers in the district.
The primary runoff is scheduled for June 18, with early in-person voting starting soon. Johnson secured nearly 45% of the primary vote, while Hand received almost 32%. Both candidates are now focusing on winning over voters in the runoff election.
Hand highlighted his grassroots support and emphasized the importance of connecting with voters on a personal level. Johnson, on the other hand, positioned himself as a more moderate candidate, aiming to appeal to a broader base, including Black Democrats. He expressed opposition to proposed Republican cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.
Despite facing criticism for living outside the district, Johnson defended his ties to the community and pledged to relocate if elected. The race between Hand and Johnson is expected to intensify as the runoff election approaches, with both candidates vying for the opportunity to challenge Rep. Bishop in the general election.
