GOP gubernatorial nominee Bill Schuette has proposed a minimum of three debates for Michigan's office of Governor.
He said in a release on Thursday that "Michigan voters deserve a discussion of the candidates' records on issues affecting their paychecks and their children's futures."
He would like those debates to be televised with his sparring partner, the Democratic nominee, Gretchen Whitmer.
Schuette won a four-way primary election for the GOP nomination with more than 50% of the vote.
He says, "ensuring multiple debates take place is the best-case scenario for Michigan voters, especially the wider general election audience of voters who are now presented with a clear choice of moving forward or going back."
The Schuette campaign contacted Whitmer's campaign office to initiate the debate discussion.
"Michigan families deserve to know the records of the candidates for governor and have a true sense of where the candidates are likely to steer Michigan in the future," said Schuette. "I am sure Senator Whitmer agrees that conducting at least three debates is the right thing to do and I am looking forward to it."
He'd like to see the debates be in Detroit, Grand Rapids, and a third one in Flint, Lansing, and/or Traverse City.
Whitmer, a former legislative leader, is proposing three debates. She wants one in Detroit focused on education and skills training, one in Flint focused on water and infrastructure and one in Grand Rapids focused on health care.
In 2014 and 2010, Rick Snyder met for one debate against his Democratic opponent in each year.
