ATLANTA — Georgia’s statewide candidates used a televised debate series to draw sharp contrasts on the economy, abortion, public safety and food safety, while Republican gubernatorial nominee Rick Jackson declined to appear alongside Democrat Keisha Lance Bottoms. The debates, held at Georgia Public Broadcasting studios as early voting began, came with several contests described as closely fought. Election Day is Nov. 3, and early voting runs through Oct. 30. The most combative exchange came in the U.S. Senate race, where Republican challenger Mike Collins attacked Democratic incumbent Jon Ossoff as an out-of-touch elite whose policies, Collins argued, had harmed working families. Ossoff responded by criticizing Collins’ family political connections and his positions on military policy. The candidates also clashed over the 2020 election. Asked whether Donald Trump won, Collins said there had been “a lot of doubt” and added, “Yes, Joe Biden was the president.” In the governor’s race, Bottoms took questions alone after Jackson opted out of the debate. Jackson instead joined Gov. Brian Kemp for a five-city campaign tour, saying he wanted to speak directly with voters about household costs and rising gas prices. He said voters had not asked him about debating. Bottoms argued Jackson’s absence deprived voters of a chance to hear him respond to questions about Georgia’s six-week abortion ban, state contracts and his relationship with Trump. She said his decision raised concerns about whether he would answer questions if elected. The attorney general candidates focused on crime and experience. Republican state Sen. Brian Strickland cited endorsements from Kemp and law enforcement groups and accused Democratic state Rep. Tanya Miller of opposing anti-gang and fentanyl-trafficking measures. Miller, a former state and federal homicide prosecutor, emphasized her courtroom experience and questioned Strickland’s lack of prosecution experience. In the agriculture commissioner debate, Republican incumbent Tyler Harper and Democratic challenger Katherine Juhan-Arnold addressed food safety following recent foodborne illness concerns. Harper said cyclospora contamination came from imported products, not Georgia-grown food. Juhan-Arnold called for timely public warnings, regular inspections and follow-up when inspections fail, and said she would track overdue checks and address staffing gaps. The debates offered voters a direct comparison of candidates’ positions in races that will determine leadership across state government and Georgia’s representation in the Senate.