Watch the pre-debate special at 6:30 p.m., the full live debate beginning at 7 p.m., and our post-debate live programming in the player above on Oct. 9.

NORFOLK, Va. (NEXSTAR) — The stage is set for former U.S. Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger and current Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, who are set to square off Thursday evening in their only scheduled live debate in the race for Virginia governor.

Virginia is one of two states choosing governors this November, and its election is often seen as a bellwether for the party in power across the Potomac River ahead of midterm elections next year.

Spanberger is the Democratic nominee and Earle-Sears is the Republican candidate on the Nov. 4 ballot. Regardless of who wins, it will be a historic election as Virginia will elect its first

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