U.S. Senate candidates Debbie Stabenow, John James debate at Detroit Economic Club

DETROIT (WJBK) - Democratic Sen. Debbie Stabenow and Republican challenger John James are meeting for the second time to debate before the Detroit Economic Club at the MotorCity Casino Hotel's conference center.

James says Washington D.C. needs a fresh face with a fresh perspective, at times calling his opponent ineffective.

"We have too many people in Washington who are legislating and regulating futures they're going to be a part of. And that's not fair," he said.

But Stabenow says she has proven herself to the people of Michigan in her 20 years in the U.S. Senate, defending herself when James asked her why it's taken her so long to get things passed.

"Sometimes things move quickly, like my pharmacudical bill that took six months, and sometimes they take years. The difference is I don't give up, and people in this room know that I don't give up," she said.

When asked how they plan to vote as Michiganders on Proposal 1, the legalization of recreational marijuana use, Stabenow says she will vote yes.

"My assumption is that that will pass and that what we need to do is work with law enforcement and public health and others to make sure that this is administered correctly," she said.

And James:

"The war on drugs has disproportionally negatively affected the African American community. I would not feel right legalizing something that so many people, so many Michiganders are currently in jail for, non-violent drug offenses," he said.

The two candidates debated everything from healthcare to trade. Both weighed in on their feelings about the recent nomination of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh.

"Jurists and journalists have an obligation to be objective and impartial and I believe that based upon Judge Kavanaugh's record he has the capability to be impartial and also what he's doing with his clerks, four out of four are women," James said.

And Stabenow:

"He's made decision against the Clean Water Act that are not in our interests in Michigan. He's made decisions on healthcare that would continue to unravel the healthcare system, not in our best interests in Michigan."

Stabenow and James face off in the general election on Nov. 6.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.