Dem senate candidate challenges opponents to debates

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) - The Democratic candidate running for Indiana's open U.S. Senate seat is challenging his GOP and Libertarian opponents to a series of debates and town hall meetings ahead of the November election.

Former U.S. Rep. Baron Hill said Tuesday that an event should be held in each of Indiana's nine congressional districts. He says many candidates hide behind talking points and special interest money that pays for advertising. He thinks voters deserve access to candidates, as well as honest answers.

Hill is running against Republican U.S. Rep. Todd Young, who defeated him in 2010. Libertarian Lucy Brenton is also running.

Young's campaign says the congressman looks forward to debating Hill again. Brenton called the debates a "great idea" but says she's not optimistic Young will agree to them.