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Gov. Kate Brown, a Democrat, and her GOP challenger, Salem oncologist William "Bud" Pierce, have agreed to at least five debates. The first face-off is scheduled for Sept. 24 in Bend.

Gov. Kate Brown and her Republican challenger, William "Bud" Pierce, have agreed to at least five debates, with the first taking place in Bend late next month.

Both campaigns issued statements announcing the debate schedule Thursday.

Brown, a Democrat, hopes to win what would have been the final two years of former Gov. John Kitzhaber's term. Kitzhaber resigned in February 2015 amid an influence-peddling scandal that remains under investigation.

The five debates between Brown and Pierce, a Salem oncologist, will be held in Bend, Portland, Eugene and Medford.

Pierce, in his statement, welcomed the debates, but he took a jab at Brown for her decision to skip what is traditionally regarded as the general election season's first debate - a July 22 debate sponsored by the Oregon Newspaper Publishers Association.

"I'm glad the governor now feels ready to be in front of the people," Pierce said. "Throughout the entire campaign, I've told voters that I will attend any debate at any time and have accepted every single debate invitation I've received, since I believe debates are very important."

In addition to the five debates agreed upon by the respective campaigns, Pierce said he has accepted three additional debate invitations. He added that he "is anxiously awaiting the governor's decision on these debates."

Brown's campaign, citing scheduling problems, said it is declining an invitation for a debate sponsored by the Pamplin Media Group/EO Media Group/Skanner News Group/KOIN-TV/University of Oregon. The campaign said it is still considering the other two proposed debates.

The five debates that have been agreed upon are:

Bend, Sept. 24 (sponsored by Society of Professional Journalists, The East Oregonian, Jefferson Public Radio and KTVZ-TV)

Portland, Sept. 30, noon (sponsored by Portland City Club)

Eugene, Oct. 6 (sponsored by League of Women Voters and Oregon Public Broadcasting)

Medford, Oct. 13, 7 p.m., at KOBI studio (sponsored by KOBI-TV and KOTI-TV)

Portland, Oct. 20, 7 p.m., at KGW Studio (sponsored by KGW-TV and The Oregonian)

-- Dana Tims

503-294-7647; @DanaTims