In what may be the most anticipated 5th District Congressional debate in years, Republican incumbent Cathy McMorris Rodgers and Democratic challenger Daryl Romeyn go head-to-head tonight on television.

They'll be answering questions from a panel that includes Spokesman-Review reporter and Spin Control contributor Jonathan Brunt, public radio's Doug Nadvornik, and KXLY-TV's Robin Nance. KXLY-TV's Nadine Woodward is the moderator. (So Nance and Woodward are switching roles from last week's U.S. Senate debate.)

The anticipation isn't because the race is thought to be particularly close, or because the two are recognized as master debaters, but because at various times they both refused to do this debate, the only televised matchup proposed for the race. The agreement wasn't reached until early Monday, which is way quick for a televised debate.

Because the debate is being taped earlier in the day, there are two chances to see it: 7 p.m. on KXLY-TV and 8 p.m. on KSPS-TV. KXLY will also stream it live on the station's web site.

And, of course, there will be coverage on spokesman.com this evening, and in Wednesday's newspaper.