The top two candidates to replace North Carolina's Sen. Richard Burr have agreed to a debate on Spectrum News 1.
The debate between Democrat Cheri Beasley and Republican Ted Budd will be held in Raleigh on Oct. 7. This is the first debate both major Senate candidates have agreed to participate in.
The race between Budd and Beasley has narrowed over the summer, with a statistical tie in recent polls.
Spectrum News 1's Tim Boyum will moderate the debate. The debate will focus on major issues impacting the people of North Carolina.
Neither candidate has had much debate experience this year.
During the Republican primary campaign, Budd did not participate in the televised debates for the top GOP candidates. The Democrats rallied around Beasley before the primary, naming her the presumptive nominee and avoiding a tough primary race.
Budd currently represents North Carolina's 13th District in the U.S. House of Representatives and has former President Donald Trump's endorsement in his Senate bid.
Beasley is the former chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court and has the endorsement of the state's top Democrats.