CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- The 9th Congressional District special election is just weeks away and one campaign issue center stage is whether the candidates will debate.

• Republican Dan Bishop said his opponent, Democrat Dan McCready, is turning down candidate forums and debates, including one with Spectrum News.
• McCready's campaign manager tells Spectrum News the campaign has committed to one debate in Charlotte and an event in Fayetteville sponsored by the NAACP.
• The Charlotte debate is scheduled for August 28.

Republican Dan Bishop said his opponent, Democrat Dan McCready, is turning down candidate forums and debates, including one with Spectrum News.

But McCready's campaign manager tells Spectrum News the campaign has committed to one debate in Charlotte and an event in Fayetteville sponsored by the NAACP. The NAACP said the event is a candidate’s forum.

Bishop’s campaign confirmed the Charlotte debate but said it hasn't heard about the Fayetteville forum, despite the NAACP telling Spectrum News it reached out to all the campaigns.

“Voters expect debates to occur even if they don't watch them,” said UNC Charlotte Political Science Professor Eric Heberlig. “It's risky to turn them down because it gives your opponent the ability to accuse you of avoiding voters or dodging asking questions.

Heberlig said while there aren’t usually a lot of debates during a congressional campaign, this election doesn’t haven’t an incumbent so it makes sense for candidates to participate.

The Charlotte debate is scheduled for August 28.