Sen. Thom Tillis Thomas (Thom) Roland TillisAirline job cuts loom in battleground states Hillicon Valley: DOJ indicts Chinese, Malaysian hackers accused of targeting over 100 organizations | GOP senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal | QAnon awareness jumps in new poll Republican Senators raise concerns over Oracle-TikTok deal MORE (R-N.C.) issued a challenge to his eventual Democratic challenger to face him in five general election debates as he runs for reelection in one of the Senate’s biggest battleground states.

“Given the importance of this race when it comes to the future of our state and nation, it is critical that North Carolinians have numerous opportunities to hear directly from the candidates about where they stand on the issues that matter to them,” said Tillis.

“I’m proud of my record in the Senate of fighting to create jobs, combat sanctuary cities, confirm conservative judges, and support military families. I look forward to discussing these accomplishments early and often during the general election, and I hope whoever my Democratic opponent is will join me in participating in this robust debate schedule.”

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Tillis said Spectrum News has already agreed to host three out of the five debates in April, May and June and warned that he would not entertain additional debate requests until he receives responses from every Democratic candidate on his challenge.

Several Democrats are running for the chance to face off against Tillis, including state Sens. Cal Cunningham and Erica Smith, Mecklenburg County Commissioner Trevor Fuller and Dr. Atul Goel. Cunningham is considered the front-runner of the pack, raking in millions of dollars in 2019 and earning the endorsement of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee.

“Bring it on, Thom,” Cunningham responded.

Tillis is seen as one of the more vulnerable Senate Republicans. The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election handicapper, rates the general election as “lean Republican."

President Obama won North Carolina in 2008, but the state went to Republicans in the presidential race in 2012 and 2016.