The Atlanta Press Club received a $265,000 grant from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation to support the costs of the Atlanta Press Club Loudermilk-Young Debate Series in 2025 and 2026.
According to a press release, the grant funded APC’s 2025 debate series, which included the races for Public Service Commission, Mayor of Atlanta, and Atlanta City Council President. It will also play a vital role in 2026, when APC anticipates a very active debate season in Georgia with many crucial races on the ballot, including the US Senate, Georgia Governor, and Georgia Secretary of State.
“The Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation is proud to support the Atlanta Press Club Loudermilk-Young Debate Series and its commitment to educate voters on the candidates running for public office and where they stand on the issues,” Fay Twersky, president of the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, said in a statement. “2026 will be a critical election year for Georgia, and it’s important to ensure APC has the resources necessary to provide this important public service.”
“As a battleground state, Georgia continues to have significant influence on national politics. This generous grant will help the Atlanta Press Club keep voters informed and engaged through a very important election season,” APC Board Chair Mike Jordan said in a statement. “Delivering fair, informative, and accessible debates that serve voters across our state is a key tenet of our mission, and we are grateful to the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation for its support ensuring the longevity of the Loudermilk-Young Debate Series.”
The Atlanta Press Club celebrates more than 30 years of hosting local, federal and statewide debates, creating one of the most extensive debate series in the country. The Loudermilk-Young Debate Series was established in 2011 when R. Charles “Charlie” Loudermilk committed $1 million to create an endowment for the Loudermilk-Young Debate Series. The name of the debate series honors Loudermilk, a Republican businessman, and his longstanding friendship with Ambassador Andrew Young, a Democrat and a public servant. The two men exemplify the ability to work together for the good of Georgia, no matter their political differences.
For more information on the Atlanta Press Club Loudermilk-Young Debate Series, https://atlantapressclub.org/debates/