The high-stakes showdown for the Republican nomination for Georgia governor took an unusual turn at the Georgia Public Broadcasting studios this afternoon. The Atlanta Press Club Loudermilk-Young Debate Series hosted the highly anticipated Republican gubernatorial runoff debate. However, Lieutenant Governor Burt Jones had the stage entirely to himself. His opponent, billionaire healthcare executive Rick Jackson, declined to participate, with his campaign citing a scheduling conflict due to an out-of-town event with Florida U.S. Senator Rick Scott. As a result, Jones spent the afternoon answering questions from a panel of journalists next to an empty podium.