By Nicole Duran -- Roll Call

In an effort to provide a direct contrast with the crowded field of Republicans vying for the GOP nomination in the 7th district, former state Sen. Joe Schwarz is trying to get any one of his five competitors to debate him one-on-one.

He has contacted every campaign and reserved three venues for such occasions, but so far only attorney Brad Smith, son of the district’s retiring Rep. Nick Smith (R), has formally accepted Schwarz’s offer to debate him and state Rep. Clark Bisbee (R) together.

“I have concluded that large candidate forums are not getting the job done,” Schwarz said in issuing the challenge. “Having six to nine candidates on a stage, with only one to two minutes to answer questions. ... I think it’s fair to say that voters are tired of the three-minute stump speeches and the carefully rehearsed answers.”

Schwarz and Smith are set to square off July 9 in Jackson, according to both campaigns.   Bisbee, who has the backing of Michigan Right to Life and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce, declined to make it a three-person forum.

Offended at not being asked to participate in the first round, state Rep. Gene DeRossett and former state Rep. Tim Walberg separately challenged Schwarz to individual debates. Schwarz’s campaign immediately booked Siena Heights University in Adrian for a July 16 debate with DeRossett and the Grand Ledge Opera House on July 20 to face off with Walberg.

Former state Rep. Paul DeWeese has yet to respond, Schwarz’s campaign said. Five of the candidates have been fighting for the “conservative” mantle in the primary that is expected to produce the next Congressman. All five have been gunning for Schwarz, who is considered the moderate in the GOP field.

A recent poll confirms why the others need to team up against Schwarz. The family doctor leads all candidates with 23 percent of likely Republican voters backing him, according to a survey conducted by EPIC/MRA of Lansing, which is not working for any of the candidates.

Smith and Bisbee tied for second place with 12 percent followed by DeWeese, who garnered support from 10 percent of those surveyed, Walberg, who had 8 percent, and DeRossett, who had only 6 percent of voters backing him, despite having the deepest pockets. The survey of 400 voters was conducted June 14-18 and had a 5 percent error margin.