The candidates in a race that could help decide which party controls the state Senate will face each other in a debate at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Stonington High School.

The debate between Democrat Timothy Bowles and Republican Heather Somers will be streamed live on theday.com.

That same afternoon, at 1 p.m., theday.com will present the first in a new weekly series, “Lunch with the Candidates,” featuring candidates who are contesting for election to the state House of Representatives from districts in our region.

The first forum in the Tuesday series will feature the two candidates in the 37th District race, Republican Holly Cheeseman and Democrat Beth Hogan.

Democrat Ed Jutila, who is not seeking re-election, now represents the district that covers East Lyme and Salem.

The weekly forums for House candidates, not open to the public, will be streamed live to theday.com from a studio at The Day offices in New London.

Editorial Page Editor Paul Choiniere said it is part of the continuing effort by The Day to use new technology to reach a wider audience and help inform the electorate.

As for the Senate debate, Choiniere notes that the 18th Senatorial District contest between Bowles and Somers is generating statewide interest.

Sen. Andrew Maynard, a Democrat, has held the seat for a decade but is not seeking re-election.

Republicans see the 18th District race as key to their efforts to gain control of the Senate, while Democrats hope to keep it in the hands of their party.

The district includes Griswold, Groton, North Stonington, Plainfield, Preston, Sterling, Stonington and Voluntown.

Bowles, a former state representative, worked for the state for nearly 30 years, his last position a medical policy and behavioral health consultant with the Department of Social Services. He now raises alpacas on the former family farm in Preston.

Somers, a businesswomen, ran unsuccessfully for lieutenant governor in 2014 on the Republican ticket with Tom Foley. Prior to that she served on the Groton Town Council, including a stint as mayor.

The candidates will answer questions from a panel of Day journalists. There will be no questions from the audience, but recommendations for questions and topics for all of the political forums can be emailed to p.choiniere@theday.com.

Those planning to attend the debate at Stonington High are urged to get in their seats early, as the debate will begin promptly at 7 p.m.

No campaign signs or other political paraphernalia will be allowed in the auditorium for the debate.

Those wanting to watch the discussion between the candidates in the 37th District House race can do so on theday.com. Cheeseman serves as an East Lyme selectwoman, and Hogan is the former first selectwoman of that town.

If you miss the candidate debates live, they will remain available for viewing through the election at theday.com/debates2016.

The second “Lunch with the Candidates” forum will appear live on theday.com at 1 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 13, with the candidates in the 40th House District, covering portions of Groton and Ledyard.

That race features incumbent Republican state Rep. John Scott and Democratic nominee Christine Conley.

The next state Senate debate will take place at 7 p.m. Sept. 22 at Lyme-Old Lyme High School. It will present the candidates in the 33rd Senatorial District: incumbent Republican Sen. Art Linares and Democratic challenger Norm Needleman.

Continue to follow The Day and theday.com for updates on future debates.