State Rep. Erik Fleming, the Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate, says he wants to debate the man he’s trying to unseat, Republican Trent Lott.

Fleming said Tuesday that Lott has not debated a challenger since winning the statewide seat in 1988. Fleming said a face-to-face exchange on issues such as Social Security and the minimum wage would help voters make an informed decision in the Nov. 7 election.

He said he hopes a media organization or a nonpartisan group would sponsor a debate.

“People shouldn’t vote for a candidate just because they have a well known name,” Fleming said in a news release. “There should be some substance.”

Lott spokesman Lee Youngblood said the senator has not received a written request from Fleming.

Fleming lives in Clinton and has been in the state House since 1999. Lott lives in Pascagoula.