EAST LANSING, Mich. (AP) -- Clark Durant continued his verbal assault on fellow U.S. Senate candidate Pete Hoekstra's legislative record during a debate ahead of next week's Republican primary.

Durant, Hoekstra and former Kent County Judge Randy Hekman of Grand Rapids debated at WKAR-TV studios on Thursday, five days before voters decide which of them will face two-term incumbent Democratic U.S. Sen. Debbie Stabenow in November.

Durant, a charter school foundation executive from Grosse Pointe, has been hammering away at Hoekstra's voting record in Congress.

On Thursday, he accused the Holland resident of going along with Stabenow on a host of issues, a charge Hoekstra said was "ludicrous."

As Durant and Hoekstra quarreled, Hekman told moderator Tim Skubick his opponents were "like two people wrestling in a little rowboat" going over Niagara Falls.  The real issue, Hekman said, "is we need to fix our country."

This was the candidates first and only televized debate prior to Tuesday's primary.

To watch the full debate, beginning Friday, go to: http://www.video.wkar.org.  

A recent Detroit Free Press Poll gave Hoekstra 51% support among likely primary voters, Durant 27% and Hekman 4%.

AP