North Carolina Republican Sen. Thom Tillis and Democratic challenger Cal Cunningham are meeting for their first televised debate in a campaign whose outcome could determine which party controls the Senate.
Cunningham and Tillis have agreed to three debates, the first of which will air live Monday evening from WRAL News at 7 p.m. WUNC will also broadcast the debate live.
Tillis is a former state House speaker seeking his second Senate term. Cunningham once served in the legislature and ran unsuccessfully for U.S. Senate in 2010.
Cunningham paints Tillis as a senator who has refused to expand health care coverage and has enabled President Donald Trump's divisive agenda. Tillis says he’s got a record of achievement for North Carolina residents and that Cunningham would help usher in an extreme liberal agenda.
Tillis has held this seat since 2014, when he defeated Democratic incumbent Kay Hagan.
The other debates between Tillis and Cunningham are scheduled for Sept. 22 and Oct. 1.