INDIANAPOLIS | A dozen media and good government groups are banding together in the hopes of coordinating at least three gubernatorial debates next year.

The nonpartisan Indiana Debate Commission, which announced its intentions Wednesday at a Statehouse news conference, wants to avoid the jockeying among news outlets that hamstrung debate scheduling three years ago.

"It's a first for the state of Indiana," said Terri Jett, political science department chairwoman at Butler University. "By serving as a nonpartisan advisory group, the commission hopes to prevent any issues that may have hindered debates in the past."

The group has yet to receive commitments from the campaigns of Republican Gov. Mitch Daniels and Democratic challengers Jill Long Thompson and Jim Schellinger. But commission members say the campaigns have been receptive to the idea.

"I think we all know that voter turnout is on the decline, so we're encouraging candidates in the upcoming governor's race to step up, stand out, speak up and to participate in debates across Indiana," said Times Executive Editor William Nangle. "We believe there has to be an arena for the candidates for governor to express their views. The key media outlets are all at the table at this commission."

The Hoosier State Press Association, of which Nangle is a member, is behind the debate commission, as is the League of Women Voters of Indiana and the Indiana Public Broadcasting Stations, a consortium of 17 radio and TV stations.

Commission members said the debates would take place after the May primary, likely beginning around Labor Day.