BOSTON -- The four Democrats running for the U.S. Senate seat held by the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy will participate in a live television debate tonight on WCVB-TV, Channel 5 at 7 p.m.

The debate is co-sponsored by WCVB-TV and GateHouse Media New England and WickedLocal.com.

The candidates are U.S. Rep. Michael Capuano, Attorney General Martha Coakley, City Year co-founder Alan Khazei and Boston Celtics co-owner Stephen Pagliuca.

The winner of the Dec. 8 primary will face state Sen. Scott Brown, R-Wrentham, or businessman Jack E. Robinson in the Jan. 19 election.

NewsCenter 5's Ed Harding will moderate the debate. WCVB reporter Janet Wu will pose questions along with MetroWest Daily News opinion editor Rick Holmes.

During the debate, TheBostonChannel.com will have a live blog where viewers are encouraged to log on and post their comments about what the candidates are saying.