GOP Congressional Candidate Walks Off Debate Stage: ‘This Is Where I Get Back in My Truck’

A Republican candidate for a House seat in Georgia was not having it with the primary debate.

On Sunday, the Atlanta Press Club held a debate for Georgia’s 2nd congressional district ahead of run-off June 18 primary election.

Republican hopeful Chuck Hand, who was convicted of a misdemeanor for illegally demonstrating on Jan. 6, 2021, walked out.

As The Associated Press reports, “At the beginning of a debate sponsored by the Atlanta Press Club, Hand said he was refusing to debate Johnson after Michael Nixon, who finished third in the four-way May 21 primary, gave a news conference last month endorsing Johnson.”

“Nixon brought up a 2005 criminal trespass charge and a 2010 DUI charge against Hand, both of which were dismissed. Nixon also cited federal court documents to argue Hand’s participation in the Jan. 6 riot was more serious than Hand had claimed,” it added.

Hand stated he was “more concerned” about defeating 16-term Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Ga.) in the general election as he accused Johnson of orchestrating attacks on his wife.

He added, “This is where I get back in my truck and go back to southwest Georgia because I’ve got two races to win because I got two races to win.”

Watch the video below:

With that, Hand did more than just talk — he walked off the stage.

Moderator Donna Lowry asked, “You’re not staying?”

“Are you leaving, sir? OK,” she added.