INDIANAPOLIS | Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels is down for three debates, but his opponent wants more.

"I would prefer five debates, six or seven," Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jill Long Thompson said Wednesday. "I'd actually like to have a debate in every major media market in the state, but ... I am happy he has agreed to at least three."

The Indiana Debate Commission, a coalition of journalism and good government groups that formed last fall, has been working with the campaigns of Daniels, Long Thompson and Libertarian Andy Horning to schedule the debates.

"We're staying focused on three debates -- north, central and southern Indiana," said WISH-TV News Director Kevin Finch, president of the commission. Finch said the group is close to announcing dates and venues for the debates.

Daniels campaign spokesman Cam Savage said the governor accepted the commission's three-debate invitation two weeks ago.

"Governor Daniels is looking forward to the debates as a way to discuss with Hoosiers the great progress Indiana has experienced in the last four years and as an opportunity to further share his positive vision for the future," Savage said.

The commission has scoped out a dozen potential debate sites, including the Star Plaza Theatre in Merrillville. Finch said the commission won't stand in the way if another group wants to host gubernatorial debates beyond the three already in the works.