In three weeks, St. Petersburg voters will make their choice for mayor.

On Tuesday, Mayor Bill Foster and challenger Rick Kriseman will sit down for "A Conversation with the Candidates."

Bay News 9 and the Tampa Bay Times will stage the debate at 7 p.m. in the Palladium Theater at St. Petersburg College. Foster and Kriseman will answer questions from Bay News 9 anchor Al Ruechel and Times political editor Adam Smith.

Political affiliations are not supposed to be an issue in this non-partisan race for mayor but the campaign is drawing some old familiar political lines.

"If Mr. Foster wants to make it about partisanship...that's...if you don't have anything else to talk about," said the 51-year-old Kriseman, a former member of the Florida House of Representative. "You can't talk about your record, you talk about something like that."

Kriseman is not alone in throwing barbs.

"It's unfortunate that my opponent came out of the box with a partisan campaign and never let up," Foster said. "But I'll be judged on my record over the past four years and I haven't played partisanship one time in governing."

The polarizing politics likely will continue right up until Election Day.

Both camps plan to spend what's left in their campaign funds on media ads and sign. The hope is that that can make a difference in a few precious votes.

"To me, it's all about communicating what my message is," Kriseman said. "That's what the voters can expect is I'm going to continue to be out, trying to meet with as many people as I can face to face and talking about what their concerns are and how we address them and how we move the city forward so we create a better St. Petersburg."

Meanwhile, Foster, who has been mayor since 2009, says the city is headed in the right direction under his leadership.

"Seventy-two percent of the people believe the city is going in the right direction," Foster said. "So we have to message that. We have to take some credit for captaining, me being the captain of the ship, going in the right direction. And make sure the people know that they'll have that same secure leadership going forward."

Those who can't attend can watch the forum live on Bay News 9 and again next Sunday on "Political Connections."

The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 5.

Conversation with the Candidates tickets

Tickets are still available for Tuesday night's "Conversation with a Candidates" showcasing the St. Petersburg mayoral race.

Bay News 9 and the Tampa Bay Times will stage the debate at 7 p.m. in the Palladium Theater at St. Petersburg College. Incumbent Bill Foster and challenger Rick Kriseman will answer a wide-range of questions from Bay News 9 anchor Al Ruechel and Times political editor Adam Smith.

Those who can't attend can watch the forum live on Bay News 9 and again next Sunday on "Political Connections."

The general election is Tuesday, Nov. 5. St. Petersburg voters also will elect city council members in Districts 2, 4, 6 and 8.

Among the topics certain to be raised during "Conversation with the Candidates:" The future of the Pier, the future of the Rays in Pinellas County, economic development and crime.

Tickets are still available at the Palladium Theater Box Office, 253 5th Ave. N.