AUGUSTA (AP) — The three candidates in the tight race for Maine governor are meeting for their first televised debate.

Republican Gov. Paul LePage, Democrat Mike Michaud and independent Eliot Cutler will take the debate stage Wednesday night at the Augusta Civic Center. The event will be broadcast live by WCSH-TV and WLBZ-TV.

The debate, which is being hosted by the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

The three met last week for two forums focused primarily on economic and education issues.

Observers have said that the debates could have a big impact in the race, which many expect will come down to a few percentage points. Recent polls show LePage and Michaud neck-and-neck, with Cutler a distant third.