Sen. Ron Johnson and Lt. Gov Mandela Barnes face off during second and final U.S. Senate debate Thursday night

NOW: Sen. Ron Johnson and Lt. Gov Mandela Barnes face off during second and final U.S. Senate debate Thursday night
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MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Marquette University's Varsity Theater was packed Thursday evening, on Oct. 13 for the highly anticipated debate between incumbent Republican Senator Ron Johnson and challenger Democratic Lieutenant Governor Mandela Barnes. 

The hour-long debate was the second and final showdown before the midterm elections on Nov. 8. and came after a recent Marquette University poll showing Sen. Johnson was in the lead. 

Unlike last week's debate, both were allowed 30-second rebuttals if their opponent mentioned them by name. Each candidate was also allowed one 60-second rebuttal.

The two spoke on a wide range of issues, including gun control and prevention, inflation, social security, abortion, immigration, and more, while throwing jabs repeatedly at the other. 

On crime, Barnes said it was "absurd when people say that I am soft on crime or I am not serious about issues, because there is nothing, I am more deeply passionate about.”

Johnson said Barnes "has been a big supporter" when it comes to defunding police."

Barnes then responded by saying, "no police officers in this country were more dispirited than the ones who were present at the United States capitol on January 6.”

When moderators asked the two what their message to parents is, regarding the recent killing of a 12-year-old girl in Milwaukee, Barnes said the sad reality is violent tragedies are becoming more common.

"It's a pain I hope nobody ever has to experience but if we do the right thing, what a majority of people in the state of Wisconsin support, what a majority of gun owners support, background checks. That is easy, that's the easiest thing we could do," Barnes said.

Johnson replied that he would talk about the "overall macro solution, which is renewed faith, stronger families, and more supportive communities."

"Then you start drilling down. One thing you have to do is you have to keep violent criminals in jail and you have to support law enforcement," Johnson said.

When the topic shifted onto career experience, Johnson said he was best suited for the job because of his business experience.

Barnes however disagreed, saying Johnson's experience came from his wife's family's company.

"His biggest achievement in business was saying I do,” Barnes said. “He married into his business. He didn’t start that from the ground up.”

Johnson then mentioned Barnes' parents and how the Lt. Gov said his father worked third shift and his mother was a teacher.

“I know others have said their fathers worked third shift,” Johnson said. “But I actually worked third shift.”

On abortion, Johnson said this is a "profound moral issue" and proposes a "one-time, single-issue referendum."

"At what point does society have the responsibility to protect life? Balancing the rights of a mother with the rights of an unborn child," Johnson said.

Barnes said he supported "going back to Roe v. Wade."

"That was a law of the land that worked for 50 years," Barnes said. "Roe allowed for some restrictions but the reality is it had strong protections for the health and the life of the mother."

Throughout the debate, the audience was also asked to quiet down when they became too rowdy. 

The debate ended with moderators asking the candidates to name something "admirable" about the other.

Barnes said Johnson was "a family man." 

Johnson then followed up with a compliment to Barnes' "loving" parents that ended by saying, "...with that upbringing, why has he turned against America?" that drew loud boos from the crowd. 

Barnes is seeking to become Wisconsin's first Black senator, while Johnson is vying for a third term. Political analysts said this debate could decide which party controls the U.S. Senate.

If you plan on registering to vote online or by mail, the deadline in Wisconsin is Wednesday, Oct. 9.

You can also register in person at your municipal clerk's office until Nov. 4. or at your local polling place on Election Day. 

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