Bono Mack and Pougnet Debate

Mary Bono Mack will debate Thursday night against Palm Springs, Calif., mayor Steve Pougnet, who is challenging the longtime congresswoman for her seat.

This will be Mack's first televised debate in eight years, according to The Desert Sun newspaper.

Pougnet, a gay Democrat, and Mack have raised a combined $3 million for their campaigns. While Republicans outnumber Democrats by about four percentage points in the area, a majority of voters in the 45th congressional district went for Barack Obama in the 2008 presidential election.