Gov. Brian Kemp, Stacey Abrams agree to two televised debates

ATLANTA, Ga. (CBS46) - Gov. Brian Kemp’s reelection campaign announced Thursday he will participate in two statewide, televised debates in one of the nation’s most watched 2022 gubernatorial campaigns.

Late Thursday night, Democratic challenger Stacey Abrams agreed to the two debates, which are scheduled for Monday, Oct. 17 and Sunday, Oct. 30, both beginning at 7 p.m.

Earlier this week, Abrams’ slate of endorsed candidates swept their Democratic runoffs: Charlie Bailey, Bee Nguyen and William Boddie, for lieutenant governor, secretary of state and labor commissioner, respectively.

RELATED: What to expect in Kemp vs. Abrams, round two

This year’s gubernatorial election is a rematch of the candidates’ 2018 race. Abrams narrowly lost that election to Kemp in a contest she has yet to concede.

However, their race in 2018 was to succeed then-incumbent governor Nathan Deal, who was constitutionally prohibited to seek a third term. This year, Abrams is seeking to unseat a gubernatorial incumbent who has a four-year track record as a sitting governor.

If Abrams wins on Nov. 8, she will become the first African-American female governor in U.S. history.

Copyright 2022 WGCL. All rights reserved.