SEATTLE — KCTS 9 and the League of Women Voters of Washington will produce and broadcast the first debate between U.S. Sen. Maria Cantwell, Democrat, and state Sen. Michael Baumgartner, Republican, on Oct. 12.

The debate will be taped at the KCTS 9 studio in front of a studio audience and televised Oct. 12, 7 p.m., on KCTS 9 and affiliated public television stations throughout Washington state.

This is the first debate that the U.S. Senate candidates have agreed to, and so far is the only debate scheduled by the candidates.

The debate will be moderated by former Port Orchard mayor Kim Abel, co-president of the Washington League of Women Voters; and KCTS 9’s Enrique Cerna.Viewers may submit questions for the candidates to vote2012@KCTS9.org.

A series of debates will be held in the KCTS 9 studio in partnership with the League of Women Voters of Washington, each moderated by Abel and Cerna. The debates will be broadcast on the following dates.

— Sept. 24, 1 p.m.: R-74 (Same-Sex Marriage) and I-1185 (Taxes).
— Oct. 1, 1 p.m.: I-502 (Marijuana) and Secretary of State.
— Oct. 12, 7 p.m.: U.S. Senate.— Oct. 15, 1 p.m.: I-1240 (Charter Schools).
— Oct. 22, 1 p.m.: 1st, 6th and 10th Congressional Districts.

KCTS 9 and KYVE 47, in collaboration with the Yakima Herald-Republic and Association of Washington State Hispanic Chambers of Commerce, will produce and broadcast a live, one-hour gubernatorial debate between Jay Inslee, Democrat, and Rob McKenna, Republican, in Yakima on Oct. 2, 7 p.m.