A debate between D. Raja and Rich Fitzgerald, candidates vying to become Allegheny County executive, scheduled for tonight at Robert Morris University is still on, despite a scheduling conflict.

Earlier this week, the Fitzgerald campaign said scheduling conflicts might prevent the Allegheny County councilman from appearing at the event, which will begin at 8 p.m. Thursday in the university's Academic Media Center.

The event's organizer, Carrie Moniot, said, "Fitzgerald has another event to attend tonight, but his campaign manager said that he will try to get to the debate by 8:15 pm."

Fitzgerald, a Democrat, is running against Mt. Lebanon businessman Raja, a Republican, to replace Allegheny County Executive Dan Onorato in the Nov. 8 election.

A representative for Raja's campaign said the candidate was still planning to attend Thursday's RMU event.

"We'll make it work," said Moniot. She mentioned that there are taped profiles of the candidates that can be run before the debate to allow time for Fitzgerald to arrive.

The candidates squared off last week at a forum that the Pittsburgh Area Airport Chamber of Commerce conducted.

Check back with Patch for more information and for coverage of the event.