BOSTON (AP) — The three Republicans running in Massachusetts’ special U.S. Senate election are preparing for their first debate.

Cohasset businessman Gabriel Gomez, former U.S. Attorney Michael Sullivan and Norfolk state Rep. Daniel Winslow are scheduled to participate in Tuesday’s match-up at Stonehill College.

All three are hoping to win the support of enough Republican and independent voters in the April 30 primary to face the winner of the Democratic primary.

U.S. Reps. Stephen Lynch and Edward Markey are challenging each on the Democratic side.

A forum for Lynch and Markey has been scheduled at Stonehill on April 1.

WBZ NewsRadio 1030′s Mark Katic reports

Markey and Lynch have agreed to participate in six primary debates.

On the Republican side, Winslow has pushed for nine debates while an aide to Sullivan has said he would like to see four.

The special election is June 25.

Copyright 2013 The Associated Press.