CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A newspaper-sponsored debate between U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin and state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey won’t happen as scheduled because the Morrisey campaign did not confirm his participation.
The debate — which was sponsored by HD Media, NCWV Media and Ogden Newspapers — was scheduled for Oct. 14 in Wheeling.
According to NCWV Media, the Morrisey campaign received an invitation to participate on Aug. 16. After a month without committing, debate organizers set a hard deadline of 4 p.m. Thursday for the campaign to respond.
“Obviously we’re disappointed that Patrick Morrisey didn’t accept the request to meet with the top journalists in West Virginia to debate issues with Sen. Manchin of importance to West Virginians,” said Andy Kniceley, publisher of NCWV Media.
The two Senate candidates have committed to take part in a Nov. 1 debate in Morgantown hosted by the West Virginia Broadcasters Association. MetroNews “Talkline” host Hoppy Kercheval will serve as moderator.
Morrisey, who won the Republican Primary in May, is challenging the Democratic incumbent Manchin.