Independent 3rd Congressional District candidate Carol Miller is upset with a decision by KOAT-TV, Channel 7, not to invite her to an upcoming televised debate.

Democrat Ben Ray Luján and Republican Dan East will attend the debate, which will air at 6 p.m. Oct. 19. The debate is co-sponsored by the Albuquerque Journal.

Sue Stephens, KOAT's news director, said she invited the two candidates "in the public's eye" months ago. "The other candidates lived through the primary. They have had exposure," she said of Luján and East.

Miller's name will appear on the ballot with the other two candidates after she collected about 11,000 signatures.

Miller said she expects Channel 7 to change its mind about inviting her.

"Why would one place eliminate the only woman running and someone who did more than everyone else to get on the ballot?" she said.

"I'm sure as soon as we make our case they will change their mind," she said.

Miller, a public-health advocate who lives in Ojo Sarco, has been invited to and participated in other debates.

KNME-TV, Channel 5, will air a debate with all three candidates that will air Oct. 16 at 7 p.m. KUNM, 89.9 FM, on Thursday aired a show with all three, and the League of Women Voters in Los Alamos on Tuesday hosted a forum for the trio as well.

East's campaign manager, Donna Duerre, said the campaign "would absolutely welcome her participation."

Luján's campaign said he plans to stick to the debate plan with just him and East.

"Commissioner Luján is going to participate according to the rules and format provided for us by KOAT in June," spokesman Mark Nicastre said in a statement.

Contact Kate Nash at 968-3036 or knash@sfnewmexican.com. Read her blog, Green Chile Chatter, at www.santafenewmexican.com.