Governor Sam Brownback and challenger Paul Davis debated for the 4th and final time Tuesday, in front of broadcasters from across the state at the Kansas Association of Broadcasters annual convention and meeting.

Brownback says Davis would appoint justices to the Kansas Supreme Court who are overly sympathetic to violent criminals.

But Davis is accusing the Republican incumbent of trying to exploit a high-profile Wichita murder case to boost his re-election chances.

The confrontation came during their fourth and final debate. Also Tuesday, Brownback’s campaign released a television ad referencing brothers Reginald and Jonathan Carr, whose death sentences for a quadruple homicide were vacated by the state Supreme Court in July.

Brownback has long sought more power to directly appoint justices rather than use a longstanding merit system in which a committee comprised of lawyers and members of the public send up suggestions.

Davis says he believes the governor doesn’t need more control over judicial selection.

The two also sparred over the budget, Brownback’s tax plan, and education.