Va. governor’s race debate tonight

Democrat Creigh Deeds and Republican Bob McDonnell are going to meet in their first live, televised prime-time debate of Virginia’s race for governor.

Tonight’s event is critical for Deeds. Trailing in two statewide polls by eight to nine percentage points just three weeks before Election Day, Deeds needs a breakout performance.

Television stations in most Virginia markets are carrying the hourlong 8 p.m. debate originating from the studios of WCVE, a public television station in Richmond.

The debate is sponsored by the League of Women Voters and AARP. The moderator is Judy Woodruff, senior correspondent for “The News Hour” on PBS.

—The Associated Press