New London — Democrat candidates for the New London’s 39th House District will square off Wednesday in a 7 p.m. debate at the Science and Technology Magnet High School of Southeastern Connecticut.

Incumbent state Rep. Ernest Hewett and challenger Chris Soto are both seeking the nod from voters at an Aug. 9 Democratic primary for Districts 1 and 2. The primary is likely to determine the winner of the election, since no other challengers to the seat have surfaced.

Hewett, 59, is seeking a seventh term and is the party-endorsed candidate. Soto is a 35-year-old U.S. Coast Guard Academy graduate and founder of the New London nonprofit Higher Edge.

The debate, which will be streamed on theday.com, is jointly sponsored by The Day and the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut. The League of Women Voters of Southeastern Connecticut will provide timekeepers. Day Editorial Page Editor Paul Choiniere will serve as moderator.

The debate is scheduled to run one hour. It is free and open to the public.