U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett and Democratic challenger William Lawrence will debate Tuesday, Oct. 6, at WKAR's studios in one of the country's most closely watched House races.

The hour-long MI-07 debate, a co-production of WKAR Public Media at Michigan State University and Gray Media Lansing, kicks off a week that also features gubernatorial and U.S. Senate debates. The 7th Congressional District covers Ingham, Clinton, Shiawassee and Livingston counties, along with parts of Genesee, Eaton and Oakland counties.

The district has flipped between parties in the last two election cycles. Barrett, R-Charlotte, won the seat in 2024 by 3.7 percentage points.

WKAR's Sheri Jones and David Andrews of News 10 Lansing will moderate. A journalist panel including WKAR's Sophia Saliby and Capitol correspondent Colin Jackson will also question the candidates. WKAR reported that expected topics include the economy, affordability, healthcare, public safety, technology and immigration.

"We will press for clear answers and give voters the information they need to then make a decision by themselves," Jones said in a Sept. 30 preview segment on WKAR.

The debate streams live at 11 a.m. Tuesday at news10lansing.com and wkar.org. The recorded version airs Wednesday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m. on WILX-TV 10, WSYM-TV FOX 47, WKAR-TV PBS 23 and WKAR radio at 90.5 and 102.3. Residents can submit questions at [email protected].

Lawrence, a climate organizer and East Lansing native, is making his first run for public office. When both candidates agreed to the debate in September, Barrett said, "I strongly believe that candidate debates are fundamental to showing voters the differences between the candidates." Lawrence campaign manager Stevie O'Hanlon said the campaign looked forward to Barrett "finally answer[ing] for his votes to cut healthcare and give billions in tax breaks to data center developers."

Data centers are a flashpoint. Barrett has argued for local control over siting decisions, while Lawrence has called for a federal moratorium on new facilities.

The MI-07 matchup is one of four major candidate debates scheduled across Michigan this week. On Tuesday evening, gubernatorial nominees Jocelyn Benson, a Democrat, and Republican John James debate from 7 to 8 p.m. on WOOD-TV in Grand Rapids, The Detroit News reported. That broadcast will simulcast on WLNS in Lansing.

On Thursday, Oct. 8, U.S. Senate nominees Abdul El-Sayed, a Democrat, and Republican Mike Rogers meet from 7 to 8 p.m. on WOOD-TV in the first of two planned Senate debates. NewsNation will also carry it live. A secretary of state debate between Republican Anthony Forlini and Democrat Garlin Gilchrist II is scheduled for Thursday evening at the University of Michigan.

Matt Grossmann, a political scientist at Michigan State University, told WKAR that debates seldom move large numbers of voters but serve to put candidates on the record. Adrian Hemond, CEO of Grassroots Midwest, said in the same report that in a close election, debates "can make a difference with those very engaged people who haven't made a decision yet."

Tuesday's MI-07 debate at 11 a.m. marks the first time Barrett and Lawrence will share a stage as candidates.