Mazie Hirono is calling for fifth debate with Ed Case — this time, on a major broadcast network. 

It’s a major turnaround from her earlier reluctance to appear on network TV with Case. Her only other televised debate with Case was on PBS, though KITV rebroadcast a tourism forum debate between the two on one of its sister cable stations. 

Asked if she is calling for the debate because she’s concerned she might be in a close election, Hirono said no. 

She said she’d agreed to five debates, there’s been four. A fifth debate with Oahu Democrats was never rescheduled. 

Hirono said she’s been pleased with her debate performances so far, which she believes shows “clear differences” with her opponent. 

She has not contacted either the Case campaign or the TV stations, but she would like to debate on a broadcast network. 

A recent Civil Beat poll shows the two are in a dead heat.