Two of the three Republican candidates for Mississippi governor are set to take part in the first debate of the campaign season.

State Rep. Robert Foster of Hernando and former Mississippi Supreme Court Chief Justice Bill Waller Jr. of Jackson accepted an invitation for the event at Mississippi State University in Starkville.

The candidate who has raised the most money in the race, Republican Lt. Gov. Tate Reeves of Flowood, declined the invitation.

His campaign spokesman, Parker Briden, originally said Reeves would be busy with the legislative session, where he presides over the state Senate.

The session was scheduled to run through this week, but it ended Friday.

Party primaries are Aug. 6, and the general election is Nov. 5.