Wire Report

The three Republican candidates for Mississippi governor have agreed to a televised debate two weeks before the primary.

WJTV-TV in Jackson reported Wednesday that it will host and air the debate that begins at 7 p.m. July 23. Mississippi’s party primaries are Aug. 6.

Spokesmen for state Rep. Robert Foster, Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves and former Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr. all confirmed that the candidates will participate.

Waller and Foster have already debated at Mississippi State University. The two candidates have accepted an invitation for another debate June 7 at Southwest Mississippi Community College in Summit, but Reeves has declined that one.

No debates have been set for the nine Democratic gubernatorial candidates.

Mississippi’s current governor, Republican Phil Bryant, cannot seek a third term.