PEORIA, Ill. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn and Republican Bruce Rauner are meeting for their first true debate of the Illinois governor’s race.

The candidates are scheduled to face off Thursday night in Peoria. The meeting comes as the race has grown increasingly personal and nasty. Both candidates have attacked the other’s character and how they’ve conducted themselves.

Quinn is seeking his second full term. Rauner’s making his first run for public office.

They have appeared together before a major teacher’s union and the Chicago Tribune editorial board. But Thursday’s event will be the first televised meeting in a full debate format.

It’s sponsored by the League of Women Voters and several public television and radio stations.

Rauner and Quinn are scheduled to debate two more times before the Nov. 4 election.

(Copyright 2014 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)