The three Democrats running for governor of Virginia this year have agreed to appear together eight times ahead of a primary election on June 9.

According to a joint statement released Wednesday by the campaigns of state Sen. Creigh Deeds, former Democratic National Committee chairman Terry McAuliffe and former state Rep. Brian Moran, five of the appearances will be candidate debates, beginning April 19 in Wiliamsburg. Subsequent debates will be held April 23 in Hampton, April 28 in Danville, April 29 in Blacksburg and May 19 in Annandale.

The candidates will meet three other times in appearances that the statement described as “forums,” including April 3 in Reston and April 21 in Richmond. The candidates also will appear together at the Greenspring retirement community in northern Virginia on a date to be announced.

The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Bob McDonnell, a former Virginia attorney general who was unopposed for the GOP nomination. Democratic Gov. Tim Kaine, who was elected in 2005, cannot seek a second consecutive term because of a state constitutional requirement.