Reporter-News photo by Brian Schmidt Taylor County Sheriff candidate Les Bruce campaigns at the Taylor County Republican Headquarters on Thursday.

Tonight's televised debate.

While the two have been pressing hands for months, the forum -- to be telecast at 6:30 p.m. from McMurry University on KTXS-TV -- will put an exclamation point on a campaign in which Bruce, being the Republican candidate in a predominantly Republican county, is perceived to be the front-runner.

That, however, hasn't stopped Democrat Casarez from preparing wholeheartedly for tonight's exchange with Bruce or from continuing to pound the pavement in search of voters.

Currently a probation and corrections officer, Casarez said he hopes his experience, including his 26 years with the Texas Department of Public Safety, and educational background will prompt Republicans to cross the political party divide and vote for him.

He said he wants voters to say, "I want my money's worth," rather than cast their ballots based on party affiliation.

"That's what I'm banking on," said Casarez, who holds a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice from Hardin-Simmons University and a master's degree in pastoral studies from Loyola University in New Orleans.

Bruce, meanwhile, hopes his background in law enforcement and the more than four years of work he has spent laying the groundwork to become sheriff will ultimately pay off. He also said he believes a majority of voters already have made up their minds.

"I'm real excited," said Bruce, a narcotics officer with the Abilene Police Department. "I've worked very hard to be successful, and I sure hope to be."

Bruce may have reason to be excited, especially with the number of voters casting early ballots being up significantly this year over the presidential election four years ago.

Or maybe not.

"Tough question and we really don't know the answer," said Paul Fabrizio, political science professor at McMurry University. "Since this is a Republican area, the suspicion I have is that more Republicans are voting than Democrats. That would seem to help Bruce then, if we assume that the Republican voters are going to vote for Republican candidates.

"However, there seems to be a sense that it is Democratic voters who are showing up nationwide in greater numbers for early voting. If that is happening here, then that could help Casarez."

According to campaign finance reports released Monday, over the past three weeks Bruce didn't have any expenditures, while Casarez spent $8,204.

However, Bruce has outspent Casarez over the length of the campaign, having collected -- for example -- nearly $10,000 and spending about $8,000 over the three months before the just-released reporting period on campaign related activities and materials.

Bruce, who defeated Sheriff Jack Dieken in the March Republican primary, garnered $5,116 in contributions over the past three weeks. During the same time, Casarez reported receiving $1,835 in contributions while maintaining a balance of $5,759.