AFTER WEEKS OF deflecting calls to debate her Republican opponent, Andrea Campbell, the Democratic nominee for attorney general, has agreed to face-off with Jay McMahon in a debate hosted by WBZ-TV political analyst Jon Keller.

Keller tweeted on Wednesday afternoon that the candidates will record a debate at the WBZ studios on October 20, which will air over the following weekend on WBZ and on CBS News Boston. 

McMahon — who had called for seven debates — said he’s looking forward to the encounter, but his campaign is still pushing for more than just one debate. “I had to goad her to get to agree to even this one,” he said. 

Campbell held a 26-point lead over McMahon in a Suffolk University poll conducted after the September primary. With that head of steam, she has been reluctant to agree to debates, brushing off questions several times about whether she’ll debate McMahon by saying, “we’ll see.” 

After Wednesday’s announcement, Campbell spokeswoman Molly McGlynn suggested the campaign is eager to have voters contrast the two candidates. “There is a clear choice in the race for attorney general,” she said in a statement. “While Andrea will bring us together, her radical opponent will continue to divide us and roll back our reproductive and voting rights. As AG, Andrea will defend safe, legal abortion, protect our democracy, and deliver real solutions to make sure people across Massachusetts  can thrive.”