The first in a series of debates between Oregon's two U.S. Senate candidates is set for Oct. 8.

The hourlong debate between Oregon House Speaker Jeff Merkley and U.S. Sen. Gordon Smith will be broadcast live by KGW-TV beginning at 7 p.m.

Smith, a Pendleton Republican, is running for his third six-year term in the Senate. Merkley, a Portland Democrat, is in his fifth two-year term in the Oregon House.

A spokesman for Merkley says the two may hold as many as five other debates before the Nov. 4 election.

Smith's campaign manager told The Oregonian that it was, "the first in a series of debates we plan to accept across the state."