SUGAR GROVE, Ill. (AP) — Republican state Sen. Jim Oberweis wants U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin to agree to seven debates prior to the November election.
Oberweis is a dairy magnate and entrepreneur. He’s trying to unseat Durbin, a third-term senator and the Senate’s second-ranking Democrat.
In a statement Tuesday, Oberweis says voters should get to compare the candidates’ records on job creation and other topics.
Ron Holmes is a spokesman for Durbin. He says Durbin has debated every challenger he’s faced and “looks forward to working out the terms” of this fall’s schedule.
Oberweis says the seven debates should be held statewide, with major media sponsors.
He says at least three should be outside the Chicago area. Oberweis also wants one debate to be co-hosted by a liberal organization and another by a conservative organization.
(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)