ATTLEBORO - City voters tonight will get their only chance to see the two Democratic candidates for state representative in action.

The Sun Chronicle will sponsor a debate at 7 p.m. in the council chambers of city hall between City Councilor William Bowles and Kate Jackson, a former city councilor.

Those two candidates are squaring off in the Sept. 16 primary, with the winner facing Republican George Ross, also a city councilor, for the right to succeed Republican John Lepper on Beacon Hill.

Ross does not have a primary opponent.

Lepper, who represents all of Attleboro except Precinct 3B, is retiring at the end of the 2008 legislative session. Bowles and Jackson will face questions from two members of The Sun Chronicle Editorial Board, Editor Mike Kirby and Living Well Editor Jessica Kosowski. The candidates also will have an opportunity to question each other.

Moderating will be Attleboro resident Peter Gay, executive director of North Attleboro's cable TV company and host of "The Sun Chronicle News Hour" with Peter Gay, a morning news and talk show on WARL, 1320 AM.

The Attleboro Democratic Committee had planned a debate, but Jackson withdrew when she said panelists would include Bowles' supporters on the committee.

The Sun Chronicle then arranged for tonight's debate.

The public is invited to attend, and the debate will be broadcast live on Attleboro cable Channel 98 and will be rebroadcast later.

The general election will be Nov. 4.