SALT LAKE CITY — The race between GOP Gov. Gary Herbert and Democrat Mike Weinholtz is finally starting to heat up, with the first debate between the general election candidates now set for Friday.

Herbert had not been expected to participate in a debate during the three-day annual Utah League of Cities and Towns conference, despite a long tradition of gubernatorial candidates squaring off before the local leaders in election years.

But that changed Thursday after what the governor's campaign manager, Marty Carpenter, called "some adjustments in his calendar" to free him up for what is expected to be a midday debate.

Herbert was scheduled to return Thursday from a trade mission in Toronto, Canada, and his annual Governor's Gala fundraiser, a major source of campaign revenue, will be held Friday night.

Carpenter said because first lady Jeanette Herbert did not travel to Canada with the governor, she was able to take care of some last-minute details for the gala and ease what had been a "problematic" schedule for him.

Change of mind

Weinholtz said he believes the governor was responding to being "chided" publicly over a decision apparently made months ago to end a 28-year history of gubernatorial debates at the league's annual gathering.

"I can't think of another reason," said Weinholtz, who had been slotted for a 10 a.m. speech to the group Friday in the absence of a debate. He called it "interesting" that Herbert "changed his mind at the last minute and decided to show up."

Democrats have been pushing for the governor to do more debates with Weinholtz, chairman of CHG Healthcare. Weinholtz said Herbert, who has been in office since 2009, has turned down multiple requests to debate.

Herbert is already scheduled to debate Weinholtz on Sept. 26 at Utah State University, and both candidates are expected to appear separately at a University of Utah forum on Oct. 4.

"This is one we wanted to do," Carpenter said of Friday's debate, citing Herbert's time as a Utah County commissioner and involvement with local government as lieutenant governor. "The governor's excited about it. I think he's pretty fired up."

A UtahPolicy.com poll this summer gave Herbert a 41-point lead over Weinholtz. The poll was conducted July 18-Aug. 4, before TV commercials began airing for Weinholtz, who loaned his campaign $1 million earlier this year.

Herbert's campaign has been low-key since his hard-fought, 72-28 percent victory in June over his primary election challenger, Overstock.com Chairman Jonathan Johnson.

UEA endorsement

On Wednesday, the Utah Education Association recommended Herbert's re-election to its 18,000 teachers and other members. UEA President Heidi Matthews said Herbert, endorsed by the association in 2012, has been supportive of schools.

"We just feel that continuing to work closely with him on public education is in the best interests of our students and our professionals, and will continue to strengthen the voices of educators and positively influence policies," she said.

Weinholtz said the UEA "made the safe political choice to endorse the incumbent. But unfortunately, Gov. Herbert is escaping accountability" for the state's low ranking in per-pupil spending and teachers who should be paid more.

Earlier controversy

The Democrat making his first run for public office ran into controversy earlier this month when the Utah Republican Party accused him of using "religious bigotry" to raise money by hosting a fundraiser at "Saturday's Voyeur," a satirical musical.

Weinholtz answered the criticism that the annual show is focused on attacking the Mormon faith by calling the GOP's statements "nothing more than an outlandish PR stunt."

He said Thursday he "deeply respects the LDS faith" and believes its followers "are smart enough to know the difference between satire and bigotry."

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