Key facts
- Five key political debates are scheduled this week across the US.
- The Maine Senate race between Sen. Susan Collins (R) and Troy Jackson (D) will have two debates.
- Arizona's 1st Congressional District features a debate between Rep. Amish Shah (D) and former NFL kicker Jay Feely (R).
- Washington's 3rd Congressional District debate will be between Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D) and state Senate Minority Leader John Braun (R).
- The Michigan Senate race debate will feature former Rep. Mike Rogers (R) and Abdul El-Sayed (D).
- The Supreme Court heard arguments in a climate case that could impact lawsuits against fossil fuel companies.
General election debates are set to commence this week across the United States, featuring key races for the Senate and House of Representatives as the November Election Day approaches. Five particularly consequential debates have been identified.
In Maine, Senator Susan Collins (R) will face former state Senate President Troy Jackson (D) for the first time tonight at 7 p.m., with a second debate scheduled for Thursday at 8 p.m. Despite Maine's tendency to vote Democratic in federal elections, polls indicate a close contest.
For the Iowa governor's race, Democratic State Auditor Rob Sand is leading Republican businessman Zach Lahn in polls. They will debate at 8 p.m. EDT in Davenport. The race is to succeed outgoing Governor Kim Reynolds (R).
In Arizona's 1st Congressional District, a special election debate will occur Wednesday at 8 p.m. EDT between Democratic former state Rep. Amish Shah and Republican former NFL kicker Jay Feely. Shah and Feely previously worked together for the New York Jets.
Washington's 3rd Congressional District will host a debate Wednesday at 10 p.m. EDT between incumbent Democratic Representative Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and state Senate Minority Leader John Braun (R). Perez has occasionally diverged from her party's platform.
The Michigan Senate race will feature a debate Thursday at 7 p.m. between former Rep. Mike Rogers (R) and Abdul El-Sayed (D). Polling shows a tight race, with El-Sayed holding a narrow lead in recent averages.
Separately, the Supreme Court began its new term by hearing oral arguments in a climate case, Suncor Energy v. Boulder County. Justices appeared to question the fossil fuel companies' request to dismiss a Colorado Supreme Court ruling that allows lawsuits seeking damages for climate change impacts to proceed.