AUSTIN – Gov. Rick Perry and his major rivals will appear in an October debate sponsored by The Dallas Morning News and Belo television stations.

The historic matchup featuring the Republican governor, Democratic nominee Chris Bell and independents Carole Keeton Strayhorn and Kinky Friedman is scheduled for Oct. 6.

The decision to have a single debate on the Friday evening of the Texas-Oklahoma football weekend sparked criticism from the Strayhorn camp, which challenged Mr. Perry to participate in more than one televised joint appearance.

"Surely Rick can muster up the courage to face the people for at least a series of prime-time debates," said Strayhorn spokesman Mark Sanders.

Jason Stanford, a spokesman for Mr. Bell, also called on Mr. Perry to face his challengers in more than one debate but said he's confident the Oct. 6 forum will attract a sizeable audience.

A spokeswoman for Mr. Friedman dismissed concerns that having the debate on UT-OU weekend would diminish viewership.

"There will not be a race like this again," Laura Stromberg said. "Bring it on."

Mr. Perry's campaign spokesman dismissed Mrs. Strayhorn's criticism that the governor had agreed to only one debate on a football weekend.

"Texans know better than most that politics can be a contact sport," said spokesman Robert Black.

Libertarian James Werner was not invited, debate organizers said, because he had not reached the required threshold in polls.

The live hourlong debate will start at 7 p.m. Neither the location nor the format has been announced, debate sponsors said.

In addition to being carried by Belo television stations statewide, the debate will be broadcast on TXCN and the Web sites of The Dallas Morning News and the television stations. The participating stations are WFAA (Channel 8), KHOU in Houston, KENS in San Antonio and KVUE in Austin. The broadcast also will be made available to all other Texas TV stations. Dallas-based Belo also owns The Dallas Morning News.

Mr. Stanford said the debate's availability on the Internet could mean a wider audience.

"Thanks to broadband Internet access, everyone in the world is going to watch this," Mr. Stanford said. "Chris Bell and this cast of caricatures. They're going to want to tune in."

E-mail wslater@dallasnews.com

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison says she looks forward to debating Democratic challenger Barbara Ann Radnofsky this fall, though no details have been worked out. Ms. Radnofsky had wanted to debate the Republican senator on Sept. 29 when both were invited to appear before The Dallas Morning News editorial board, but it's unclear whether Ms. Hutchison will be able to attend because the Senate will be in session then.

Gromer Jeffers Jr.