ATLANTA --- The five Democrats battling for their party's nomination for the U.S. Senate faced off in their final debate Sunday night with just 36 hours left until the polls open Tuesday.

High gas prices and the economy were among the topics that dominated the largely low-key forum sponsored by the Atlanta Press Club and broadcast statewide. The campaign has pitted two political veterans -- DeKalb County Chief Executive Officer Vernon Jones and former state lawmaker Jim Martin -- against a trio of political newcomers. Dale Cardwell, Rand Knight and Josh Lanier are each making their first run for elected office and have been playing up their status as outsiders, hoping to capitalize on a political year in which change has been the political buzzword among Democrats.

The five Democrats are looking to take on Republican U.S. Sen. Saxby Chambliss in November.

On the energy front, the Democrats talked up the need for alternative fuel and suggested that oil speculators might need to be reined in to combat soaring prices at the pump.

Only Mr. Martin and Mr. Jones said they would have voted for the Farm Bill, Mr. Chambliss' signature legislative accomplishment in the last year. Mr. Lanier and Mr. Knight were noncommittal, and Mr. Cardwell said he would have opposed the measure.

Supporters have said the huge bill has money for nutrition programs and food stamps. Critics have derided the $300 billion package as rich in subsidies to wealthy farmers.

Mr. Lanier called the bill little more than "a bucket of money."

Special interests and campaign contributions again played a prominent role in the debate. Mr. Cardwell and Mr. Lanier stressed that they are not accepting donations from political action committees.

"Big giant multinational corporations buy politicians and then tell them how they can or can't vote," Mr. Cardwell said.

Mr. Martin cast himself as a fighter for the middle class.

"Working people are getting further and further behind. I have a long record of standing up for the middle class," Mr. Martin said.

But Mr. Knight, 36, said he is the only one with the passion and energy to take on Mr. Chambliss.

That drew a joking retort from Mr. Lanier, 55.

"You've got the fire, I've got the belly. Let's do it," Mr. Lanier said.