HELENA, Mont. (AP) — Montnana's first U.S. Senate debate will pit Republican incumbent Sen. Steve Daines against his Democratic opponent, Gov. Steve Bullock, in a competitive race as Democrats seek to regain control of the Senate.

The debate, which will be televised Saturday evening, will be the first of three opportunities for voters to hear the candidates square off on the issues that are set to dominate the race, including the candidates’ response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Bullock was praised for his swift action curbing the virus earlier this year, which included a shutdown order that helped keep infection rates low. But recent weeks have brought an uptick in COVID-19 cases as Montana’s economy has reopened, leading the governor to implement a controversial mask mandate that has drawn ire from some Montana residents.

Bullock entered the race in March. He had repeatedly insisted that he was not interested in running for U.S. Senate following a presidential bid that failed to gain traction.

Daines was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014, after filling Montana's sole U.S. House seat for two years.

Montana has leaned red in recent years, with Trump winning Montana by 20 points in 2016. But Bullock’s entry into the race has put the Senate seat in play for the Democrats, who must gain at least three additional seats in November to win control of the Senate.

The race has so far been one of the priciest on record in Montana, with both candidates drawing donations from across the country and outside groups spending millions on advertising.

The debate is set to be recorded remotely through an online platform, as the Montana Broadcasters Association, which is hosting the debate, seeks to take precautions against the spread of the coronavirus.

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Iris Samuels is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.