DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The candidates running for Iowa’s open U.S. Senate seat have agreed to three debates this fall. The campaigns for Democrat Bruce Braley and Republican Joni Ernst announced Thursday that the candidates will face off around the state. On September 28 they will likely appear in Indianola. They’ll be in the Quad Cities on October 11 and in Sioux City on October 16.

Braley and Ernst are locked in a tight race for the Senate seat, which is open because longtime Democratic Sen. Tom Harkin is retiring. The race will play a key role in the battle for control of the chamber.