General Format for 2024 Republican Party Primary Election

Candidate Forum for

Georgia US Congressional District 2

CANDIDATES: Mr. Chuck Hand (Republican), Mr. Wayne Johnson (Republican),

Ms. Regina Liparoto (Republican), and Mr. Michael Nixon (Republican)

LOCATION: Jackson Hall

Georgia Southwestern State University, Americus, GA

DATE: Monday, May 13, 2024

TIME: 1:00pm

DURATION: Approx. 90 Minutes

MODERATOR: D. Jason Berggren, Professor of Political Science,

Georgia Southwestern State University

QUESTIONERS: D. Jason Berggren, Moderator; Madison Foglio, WALB; Roslyn Giles,

WTVM; William McLain, WTVM

TIMEKEEPER: William McLain, WTVM

AUDIENCE: By Invitation Only

BROADCAST: Pre-Recorded – To Be Broadcast by WTVM & WALB

GENERAL SEQUENCE FOR CANDIDATE FORUM:

{Introduction – Approx. 3 minutes}

I. Pre-Typed Welcome by WTVM Station Manager (approx. 1 min.)

2. Introduction by Moderator (Includes Welcome of Candidates, Overview of Format)

{Round 1}

3. Opening Statements and Self-Introductions for Each Candidate; Candidates Present by

Surname in Alphabetical Order (approx. 8 minutes, 2 minutes each)

4. Round of Questions from Moderator (approx. 24 minutes, 3 questions)

* General Issue Questions offered by Moderator

* Candidate will have up to 2 minutes to Answer; Other Candidates up to 2 minutes

for Answer / Response

* Candidate Order for Questioning Will Alternate, Moving to the Right

{Round 2}

5. Round of Questions from Panel (approx. 24 minutes, 4 questions)

* General Issue Questions offered by Panel; Each Panelist Asks a Question

* Candidate will have up to 90 Seconds to Answer; Other Candidates up to 90

Seconds for Answer / Response

* Candidate Order for Questioning Will Alternate, Moving to the Right

6. Rebuttal from the Each Candidate (8 minutes, up to 2 minutes for each candidate)
 {Round 3}

7. Round of Questions from Panel (approx. 16 minutes, 4 questions)

* General Issue Questions offered by Panel; Each Panelist Asks a Question

* Candidate will have up to 60 Seconds to Answer; Other Candidates up to 60

Seconds for Answer / Response

* Candidate Order for Questioning Will Alternate, Moving to the Right

8. Rebuttal from the Each Candidate (4 minutes, up to 1 minute for each candidate)

9. Round of Questions from Moderator (approx. 4 minutes, 1 question)

* General Issue Questions offered by Moderator

* Candidate will have up to 60 Seconds to Answer; Other Candidates up to 60

Seconds for Response

* Candidate Order for Questioning Will Alternate, Moving to the Right

10. Closing Statements for Each Candidate; Candidates Present by Surname in Alphabetical
Order (approx. 4 minutes, up to 1 minute each)

{Conclusion – Approx. 1 minute}

11. Conclusion by Moderator (Includes Reminder to Vote on Tuesday, May 21)

*Note: To reach or stay within the 90-minute timeframe allotted for the forum, the format
for Round 3 could be adjusted during the event.
SOME GENERAL RULES / NOTES FOR CANDIDATE FORUM:

--Except for the Introduction of the Candidates by the Moderator and at the
Conclusion of Forum, the audience is to refrain from applause and reactions of any kind. It is
to be a civil, dignified occasion worthy of a university setting. The purpose is for the two
candidates to discuss their views on some of the important issues facing the district and the
state.

--Candidates should conduct themselves in dignified, respectful manner. As such,

candidates should refrain from personal attacks or insults. Discussion should be focused on
policy and policy differences and why they want to serve in the U.S. Congress. Drawing these
distinctions and contrasts are certainly warranted and encouraged.

--Audience members will be required not be permitted to bring food, drink, or

extraneous campaign materials into the forum event, such as campaign signs or noise
makers.

--The event is invitation only and will be pre-recorded.

--Candidates are asked to arrive on site 30 minutes before the start time of 1:00pm
(12:30pm).

--Candidates will be standing at their own podium for the duration of the forum and
when receiving and answering questions.

--The questions will be mostly general enough for each candidate to address it as they
see fit and will cover a range of topics. The moderator will choose the topics and, with input
from the panelists, compose the questions.

--As moderator, I will ensure that that the topics and the questions are relevant and
appropriate for the political office (US House of Representatives) and for voters in the 2024
Republican Primary election for the Georgia U.S. Congressional District 2.

--The questions to be asked in the forum will not be known except by the moderator
(me). This is to protect the integrity and authenticity of the event. My goal for the questions
is not to stump or embarrass any candidate, just to provide the occasion for comparison and
contrast. My main purpose is for voters to have a chance to see and hear from the two
candidates and for them to define themselves as best as they can.

--It will not be the role or purpose of the moderator or the question panel to provide
fact-checking during the event. That responsibility belongs to the candidates and the voters.
Candidates will have the opportunity to respond to any and all perceived political or
personal attacks during the two rebuttal periods. Candidates can use their allotted times as
they see fit. However, the moderator will remind the candidates if need be to maintain
professionalism and decorum.
GENERAL TOPICS:

• Abortion

• Agriculture

• Crime / Law and Order

• Economy / Jobs / Inflation

• Education

• Election Integrity

• Government Spending / National Debt / Taxes

• Gun Rights / Second Amendment

• Health Care

• Immigration

• Israel / Middle East Conflict

• China / Taiwan

• Ukraine / Russia

• Republican Party

• House Committee Preferences