The Democrat and Republican candidates for the Third Congressional District will square off in a debate Wednesday night at Allegheny College’s Ford Memorial Chapel.

Incumbent Republican Congress-man Phil English will meet Democrat challenger Kathy Dahlkemper at 7 p.m. in the debate — which is free and open to the public.

“This is a very competitive race and considered one of the hottest in the nation,” said Dan Shea, a professor of political science at Allegheny College. “We’re hoping for a robust, clear, honest discussion of the issues.”

The Center for Political Participation at Allegheny College is hosting the event. Shea and WSEE-TV news anchor Jacqueline Policastro will moderate the event.

“We’re expecting it to be economic driven and good smattering of all the issues,” said Adam Beebe, campaign manager for English, who was unavailable for comment.

Dahlkemper, too, expects the current financial situation to be at the forefront of the debate.

“People were talking about the economy when I first announced last October,” Dahlkemper said. “They’re talking louder about it now.”

However, a third candidate, currently a write-in — Steven Porter of Wattsburg — won’t be permitted to take part in the debate if he comes to it, Shea said.

“I plan on going and I’ll ask them politely to participate,” Porter told the Tribune. “If denied, I’ll leave.”

“Our position on Mr. Porter’s status as a participant has not changed,” said Shea. “He’s not slated to be on the ballot. No legitimate debate sponsoring institution, that I’m aware of, allows write-in candidates to take part.”

Porter, who had filed as an independent, had his name removed from November’s ballot after a Pennsylvania Commonwealth Court judge ruled in August that Porter did not have enough valid signatures in his nominating papers.

Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court has agreed to hear Porter’s appeal of the case, but the state’s high court isn’t expected to issue a ruling until later this month.

As a result, it is currently not clear if Porter will appear on the ballot.

“If his appeal is successful and his name appears on the ballot as a third party candidate, we’d be happy to host another debate and include Mr. Porter,” Shea said.