RUSTON - Major candidates in Louisiana's U.S. Senate race clashed in their first televised debate together, as they sought to draw distinctions in the final weeks ahead of the Nov. 8 election.

Republican U.S. Rep. John Fleming hit GOP opponent John Kennedy, the state treasurer, for running years ago as a liberal Democrat and endorsing John Kerry for president. Fleming suggested Republican U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany wasn't fully committed in his opposition to President Barack Obama's health overhaul and helped boost the country's debts.

Boustany replied that Fleming was twisting his record and comments. Kennedy said he was targeted because he's leading.

Democratic Public Service Commissioner Foster Campbell said Kennedy was claiming victories as treasurer that weren't his.

Lawyer Caroline Fayard, a Democrat, also participated in the debate at Louisiana Tech University.