The first mayoral debate of the general election has been scheduled — for four months from now.

American University will host Democratic primary winner Muriel Bowser and Independent challenger David Catania, both members of the D.C. Council, on September 18. NBC4’s Tom Sherwood will moderate, while Patrick Madden and Kavitha Cardoza of WAMU and the Washington Post’s Clinton Yates will serve as panelists.

Pleased to announce that @AmericanU will host @DavidCataniaDC & AU alum @MurielBowser for a Mayoral debate on September 18. Details to come.

— AUCommunityRelations (@AUinYourHood) May 1, 2014

Why the wait? Bowser’s campaign manager told the Post the candidate would debate after “the field is set.” September 8 is the final day for the D.C. Board of Elections to “determine the validity of challenges to nominating petitions.”