BLUEFILED, W.Va. (AP) - The race for West Virginia's Third Congressional District seat heats up with a debate between the incumbent and his Republican challenger.

Democrat Rep. Nick Rahall is seeking an 18th term in Congress. He is being challenged by Republican Elliott "Spike" Maynard.

Maynard is a former Democrat and justice of the West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals. He switched party affiliations last November after losing his bid to be re-elected to the state's highest court as a Democrat.

Tuesday night's debate is being sponsored by WVVA-TV, The Register-Herald in Beckley and Bluefield Daily Telegraph.

The debate will be broadcast live and uninterrupted by WVVA and streamed live on www.wvva.com.

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Information from: WVVA-TV, http://www.wvva.com