BUTLER TWP — The candidates for two state House races in Butler County will participate in a debate Thursday night at Butler County Community College's Succop Theater.

However, the planned debate between U.S. Rep. Phil English, R-3rd, and his Democratic opponent, Kathy Dahlkemper, has been canceled because English needs to be in Washington, D.C., while Congress continues to negotiate for a Wall Street bailout plan.

State Rep. Brian Ellis, R-11th, and his Democratic opponent, Dave Wilson, will debate at 7 p.m., followed at 7:45 p.m. by state Rep. Jared Gibbons, D-10th, and his Republican opponent, Paul Morabito. That debate should run about 40 minutes.

Debate organizer Steve Harding of the Butler County Chamber of Commerce said both English and Dahlkemper said they want to reschedule the debate. Harding said he would raise the matter with the chamber.