The run-up to the general election has been surprisingly quiet, in respect to the race for the Governor’s Office. Arguably the biggest news so far is that Democratic Party candidate and Huntington Mayor Steve Williams has challenged West Virginia Attorney General and Republican nominee Patrick Morrisey to a debate. Additionally, Libertarian candidate Erika Kolenich has challenged both major-party candidates to a debate.
Campaigns tend to heat up after Labor Day and, with Jim Justice termed out of the Governor’s Office and running for U.S. Senate, the gubernatorial race should be scorching at the moment. So far, though, there hasn’t been a blitz of campaign ads on TV and radio — not that anyone’s complaining about that.
Perhaps that’s all about to change, or maybe Morrisey feels he can stand pat as the Republican nominee and heavy favorite, while Williams, who has far less funding, struggles to get name recognition across the state.
Whatever the case might be, a debate or series of debates would be beneficial for West Virginia voters. They deserve to see the candidates and hear what they have to say when posed questions about serious issues affecting the state, such as the economy, education, health care, child care and the drug crisis, to name a few.
Such an arrangement might seem primarily beneficial to Williams, by getting his name and face out there. On the other hand, Morrisey has won three of the four elections he’s participated in since he was first elected attorney general in 2012 (the one loss being to Joe Manchin in an unsuccessful bid for U.S. Senate in 2018) and emerged victorious from a brutal GOP primary in May. There’s no reason for Morrisey to shy away from a debate. In fact, his campaign manager told the Gazette-Mail that Morrisey welcomes it.
So, it would appear there’s a basic agreement for a debate to take place. The sooner the better. The governor’s race is arguably the biggest statewide election on the ballot. It will determine the chief executive of the state for the next four years. Plus, it’s a presidential election year, so turnout on Election Day should be higher. West Virginians need as much information on the candidates as they can get before heading to the polls.
