Posted: Friday, October 26, 2012 --- 8:20p.m.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Democrat Tammy Baldwin and Republican Tommy Thompson are defending their records in their third and final debate before the election for the Wisconsin's open U.S. Senate seat.

Baldwin said in Friday's debate she is a proud progressive who will fight for the middle class. Thompson has tried to paint her as an extreme liberal.

Thompson says he's "always been a moderate conservative," even though during the Republican primary he portrayed himself as conservative.

Polls show the race to be virtually tied, with more than $40 million being spent by both the candidates and outside groups.

Baldwin and Thompson have been sparring in recent days over actions they took in the years following the 9/11 terrorist attacks, their positions on health care reform and Iran.

Copyright 2012. The Associated Press.