By Christine McConville | Boston Herald |Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Surging Democratic Senate candidate Elizabeth Warren is challenging U.S. Sen. Scott Brown to debate on Thursday evening, but he has yet to respond.

The Senate campaign rivals were originally scheduled for their fourth and final debate tonight, but Brown cancelled yesterday due to Hurricane Sandy. Warren followed suit.

“Our focus over the next 48 hours must be on public safety and holding the utilities accountable for restoring power as soon as possible,” a campaign spokeswoman said in a statement today. “Elizabeth believes that the final televised debate should occur, and we have contacted the debate organizers and let them know she would be available to participate on Thursday evening.”

Brown, who was touring storm damage in Westport, declined to say whether he will participate.

“Today I’d say is about the storm and the people who are suffering,” he said. “I’d leave those questions to the campaign.”

A Suffolk University poll out today shows Warren surging, with a 53 percent to 46 percent lead over Brown. In a September Suffolk poll, Warren led Brown 48 percent to 44 percent.