NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Organizers have canceled a scheduled Republican debate for governor because two of the leading candidates said they would not participate.

The Tennessean reports the debate had been scheduled for Tuesday at Belmont University between Knoxville businessman Randy Boyd, House Speaker Beth Harwell and Williamson County businessman Bill Lee. But organizers decided to cancel the debate after Boyd and Harwell withdrew amid negotiations about the event's details.

Republican U.S. Rep. Diane Black is also a candidate for governor. But she had not been scheduled to participate in the debate. The debate had been sponsored by WSMV-TV and the USA Today Network-Tennessee.

Belmont University spokesman Greg Pillon said it was unfortunate the debate was canceled but said the school looks forward to hosing a general election debate on Oct. 9.

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