On Thursday night, the two candidates for state representative in Carbon County will stage a debate.

Doyle Heffley, the incumbent Republican, and Ronald Rabenold, the Democrat, will answer questions from a panel and the public.The debate will occur at 7 p.m. at Penn's Peak in Jim Thorpe. It can be viewed live at the Peak, with visitors advised to be there by 6:30 p.m.It also will air on Blue Ridge Communications TV 13.The debate is being sponsored by the Lehighton 9/12 Project. The group has no involvement in the debate other than its sponsorship.Heffley is the incumbent candidate while this is Rabenold's first venture into politics.The debate is a forum where voters can hear the views of the candidates on various issues. Commercials seem to distort issues. At the debate, the candidates will answer in their own voices not an ad writer's their opinions and potential solutions on a variety of topics.Serving as the moderator is Kim Bell, general manager of Blue Ridge Communications TV 13. She has been in charge of numerous political debates over the years.The debate is a way for the voter to be informed on the candidates. By paying close attention to the responses, hopefully the residents can become informed on how the respective candidates will represent them in Harrisburg.The event will be educational, informative, and will serve as a good guide for voters heading into the election.By Ron Gowerrgower@tnonline.com