U.S. Rep. David Wu (D-Portland) will probably not attend a congressional debate with his third party challengers on October 16, according to Wu’s spokeswoman Julia Krahe.

In absence of Wu, the debate will feature former Republican Party candidate Joel Haugen (I-Scappoose). Haugen won the Republican primary with over 70 percent of the vote, but took up the Independent Party nomination after he had a falling out with local Republican Party officials over his support for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Other candidates that have committed to participating in the debate include Scott Semrau of the Constitution Party, H. Joe Tabor of the Libertarian Party and Chris Henry of the Pacific Green Party.

"This is an interesting election year, when Oregonians are reasserting our independent streak and demanding change, and new ideas,” Haugen said. “With such diverse ideologies represented at this debate, voters will really get an excellent sense of the range of alternatives they have in this race."

The debate is being hosted by Pacific Univeristy’s Politics and Law Forum and will take place at 7 p.m.