PHOENIX, June 26 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. John McCain, facing a tough primary challenge in his bid for a fifth term, has agreed to two debates with his Republican opponents.
The debates July 16-17 are to be broadcast on television, The Arizona Republic said. The first is to be on KTVK in Phoenix and the second on KUAT, the PBS station in Tucson.
Early voting for the primary starts July 29.
J.D. Hayworth, a congressman turned talk-show host, is considered McCain's most dangerous opponent.
"We're glad that Senator McCain, even though reluctantly, has finally come around and agreed to debate," said Mark Sanders, a Hayworth spokesman. "We look forward to a very educational debate about the senator's 28 years in Washington."
Jim Deakin, a businessman who has been involved with the Tea Party movement, is also running in the Republican primary.
This is the first time McCain has had a serious primary challenge since he won conservative icon Barry Goldwater's seat in the Senate in 1984. He has handily beaten his Democratic opponents.
