KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Republican Sen. Josh Hawley and Democrat Lucas Kunce will face off in a TV debate on Halloween, ending a protracted conflict over whether the two candidates for U.S. Senate in Missouri would formally debate.

Hawley, who is seeking his second term in the Senate, on Wednesday accepted an invitation from Nexstar Media Group, which owns several stations across the state, including Fox4 in Kansas City. Kunce on social media said he had previously accepted the invitation more than a week earlier.

Fox 2 in St. Louis, a Nexstar station, reported that both candidates had agreed to the debate and that it would air on Friday, Oct. 31, less than a week before the Nov. 5 election.

Hawley posted his acceptance on social media along with a copy of the invitation letter, which said the debate would air at 7 p.m. The debate will air simultaneously on Nexstar stations in Missouri.

“Thanks to ⁦@NXSTMediaGroup⁩ for offering to host a televised #MOSen debate broadcast statewide. I accept!” Hawley posted.

Hawley also attempted to goad Kunce, asking whether he would “show up” to the debate – a reference to Hawley’s effort to embarrass Kunce at the Missouri State Fair in August by confronting him at a breakfast event and demanding an impromptu debate. The two candidates argued for several minutes, surrounded by reporters, before separating.

That came after Kunce had asked for several televised debates but Hawley had sought a debate at the fair. Kunce declined, citing a statement by the state fair that it was unable to host a debate.

Kunce said on social media on Wednesday that Hawley has “still refused to accept any other televised debate offers — I’ve called for 5.”

An Emerson College Polling/The Hill survey of 850 likely voters conducted last week found Hawley at 51% support and Kunce at 40%, with 8% either supporting someone else or undecided. The poll had a margin of error of plus or minus 3.3%.

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(The Star’s Daniel Desrochers contributed reporting.)

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