The hottest race this primary season in the Mahoning Valley is for the Democratic Party nomination for Mahoning County prosecutor. Incumbent Paul Gains, who is seeking a fifth four-year term, is facing tough competition from Youngstown city Prosecutor Jay Macejko.

Macejko has already scored one against Gains: In the contest for the Democratic Party nomination. That has only hardened the incumbent’s resolve not to give up without a fight.

The election is getting intense and nasty. It is tailor-made for a live television debate, which is what WFMJ-TV Channel 21 has scheduled. The debate, from WFMJ’s studios in downtown Youngstown, will be aired at 7 p.m. Feb. 22. And while there will be a panel of journalists posing questions, the television station is also seeking questions from county residents.

They can be posted on the station’s Facebook page, can be e-mailed to news@wfmj.com, or via Twitter using the hashtag 21 debate. The station will screen the questions and select those deemed most appropriate.

Details about the debate can be found on Channel 21’s website. Just click on “I saw it on 21 news.”

The clash of the prosecutors will also be streamed on wfmj.com.

Although Macejko worked for Gains as an assistant prosecutor, there is no love lost between them today. That makes the election even more interesting. There won’t be any verbal bouquets exchanged on Feb. 22.