Four Mass. Gubernatorial Candidates Set For Debate

The four gubernatorial candidates in Massachusetts are set to face off in the first of several TV debates before the general election in November.

The candidates, none of whom have a Sept. 14 primary opponent, will square off Tuesday at 7 p.m. on WBZ-TV.

Gov. Deval Patrick has been leading in the polls with Republican Charles Baker not far behind.

Independent candidate Timothy Cahill, the state's treasurer, has been a distant third in recent polls.

Baker has consistently portrayed himself as a pro-business conservative who will reduce taxes and government spending, but Patrick and Cahill have both criticized him for contributing to Big Dig cost overruns while the state's budget chief in the 1990s.

Green-Rainbow candidate Jill Stein will also participate in the debate.