Charleston Gazette-Mail
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.
