A debate between D. Raja and Rich Fitzgerald, candidates vying to become Allegheny County executive, scheduled for this week at Robert Morris University is now uncertain.

The Fitzgerald campaign said scheduling conflicts might prevent the Allegheny County councilman from appearing at the event, which was to begin at 8 p.m. Thursday inthe university's Sewall Center.

Fitzgerald campaign manager Mike Mikus said the candidate also has been booked to appear Thursday night as a keynote speaker at an event for the Allegheny County Democratic Party.

He said the campaign is "trying to see what they can do to make the event work."

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.

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.