Are you ready for some debating?: Tuesday night marks biggest, most high-profile midterm face-offs

Four midterm debates are slated for Tuesday night – with the one for a Pennsylvania Senate seat between Democrat John Fetterman and Republican Dr. Mehmet Oz arguably the most highly-anticipated of this election cycle.

Voters throughout Pennsylvania – and across the country – will be watching Fetterman's performance perhaps more than focusing on what either he or Oz might say, considering the Democrat nominee suffered a stroke in May that has resulted in problems with his speech and hearing comprehension.

One of his top priorities will be simply to prove to state voters that he is ready to be their next U.S. senator.

Fetterman, the state's lieutenant governor, has led the entire race, but his biggest lead, 8.7 points in mid-August, has steadily dwindled, with Oz now just 2 points behind, according to the most recent  RealClearPolitics.com polls average. 

Their first and only debate will be in the Pennsylvania state capital of Harrisburg at 8 p.m. ET.   

Their race is one of a handful that will decide whether the Democrats or Republican after Election Day Nov. 8 control the chamber. 

Among the three other big debates on Tuesday night is the New York gubernatorial contest between incumbent Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul and steadily-closing Republican nominee Rep. Lee Zeldin.

Zeldin has seized upon increases in violent crime in New York City and elsewhere in the state to make the race exceedingly close, particularly for a GOP gubernatorial candidate. New York has had only one Republican governor since 1975.

In Michigan, Republican Tudor Dixon will take on Democratic incumbent Gov. Gretchen Whitmer as she seeks a second term.

Whitmer's time in office has been marked by tight COVID-19 restrictions, with their impact on the state economy and public school students, resulting in protests at the state capital and even a kidnapping plot against her. However, her steadfastness through all of it has served to solidify support among her Democrat base. 

Dixon, who's been endorsed by former President Trump, is expected to heavily emphasize Whitmer's record. Formerly considered a long-shot, Dixon has closed a sizable polling gap and the RealClearPolitics gubernatorial projection now favors her to win the contest.

Colorado's race has become unexpectedly competitive, with Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet struggling to stave off a challenge from Republican businessman Joe O'Dea. Bennett leads the race with an average 7.5% lead, per RCP, though a strong debate performance from O'Dea could present an opening for the Republican to claim victory in November.