Debate week for the Democratic Senate candidates

With the race for the Democratic U.S. Senate nomination winding to a close on May 20, candidates will have two opportunities to distinguish themselves from the field in debates this week.

Tonight, the traditional televised debate on the public television station, KET, will occur at 7pm EST.

All seven of the Democratic candidates are expected to be in attendance for the live event, which will be broadcast from KET's Lexington studios. The debate will also be simulcast on KET's website.

The debate is not open to the public.

A second debate is scheduled for noon on Wednesday, May 14. Five of the seven candidates in the field will be in attendance, including Louisville businessmen Greg Fischer and Bruce Lunsford. The campaigns of those two have been embroiled in contentious exchanges of late, involving attack ads and allegations of "hypocrisy."

Prospect physician Michael Cassaro, Manchester Attorney Kenneth Stepp, and James Rice, of Campbellsville also have confirmed their attendance at the event.

The Wednesday debate is sponsored by the Louisville Forum, a non-partisan issues group based in Kentucky's largest city. The debate will be held at Vincenzo's Restaurant, located at 150 S. Fifth Street in downtown Louisville.

Those wishing to attend the Wednesday debate must make a reservation with the group.