Georgia GOP candidate walks out of congressional debate

Georgia Republican House candidate Chuck Hand on Sunday walked out of a congressional primary debate with his runoff opponent.

Hand was to debate fellow Republican Wayne Johnson, who faired better than him in the May primary, but did not earn enough support to avoid a runoff, which is set for June 18.

"I’m not interested in debating the issues of the 2nd District with a man who doesn’t even reside in it," he said while on stage, according to The Hill. "I’m more concerned about beating Sanford Bishop, representing you and passing the America First agenda and putting Donald Trump back in the White House. This is where I get back in my truck and head back to southwest Georgia, because I got two races to win."

He then abruptly left the stage.

The winner of the primary will face Democratic nominee, Rep. Sanford Bishop Jr., the current incumbent. The 2nd District includes much of southwestern Georgia and is listed as a D+6 on the Cook Political Report.

Hand received 20 days and prison and six months of probation in connection with his conviction related to the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol Riot.

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.