Secretary of State Mac Warner, who is running for governor, is knocking down political rival Patrick Morrisey’s push for three candidate-organized debates next spring.
He says Morrisey is actually dodging more immediate debate options.
“I think he’s being disingenuous. He’s trying to have it both ways. He’s trying to avoid the debates now but then try to act like he’s for debates later,” Warner said today on “Radio Roundtable” on WJLS Radio in Beckley.
“The people of West Virginia deserve to know people’s stances, their history, their background, that sort of thing. And I think that’s what he’s running from is, doesn’t want that exposure this early in the race. So we’ll see. The other candidates have decided to debate. I think debate transparency is good.”
Morrisey, the current Attorney General, sent a letter Friday to other Republican candidates for governor to call for cooperation on organizing three debates after the campaign filing period closes in late January.
“During debates, serious questions must be asked between actual candidates who file and demonstrate some level of support. If you don’t even plan to file, why should you be at a debate,” Morrisey wrote in the letter.
Warner and other Republican candidates like House Judiciary Chairman Moore Capito and businessman Chris Miller have submitted their paperwork to pre-file as official candidates for governor. Morrisey is still currently listed as “precandidate for undeclared.”
Nevertheless, candidates have until late January to file official notification of the office they intend to pursue — and Morrisey is suggesting that demonstration of commitment to the race should be when debates truly begin.
Warner responded with his own letter,starting by saying that he had not yet actually seen Morrisey’s but that he’d been made aware via media.
“I am ready to debate as often as necessary so the people of West Virginia clearly know where each of the candidates stand,” Warner said.
But Warner then alluded to other possible debate opportunities that would come earlier than what Morrisey outlined.
“It is also true that your campaign has denied debate requests by the state Republican Executive Committee. It will be quite telling whether you decide to participate in debates being considered by West Virginia Public Broadcasting and Gray Television affiliates before the end of the year,” Warner wrote.
“The debates you are declining are specifically designed to help members of the WV Republican Party to decide who will be their best candidate for governor.”
Warner went on to suggest Morrisey used to be more likely to embrace debating opportunities, such as in his first run for Attorney General against incumbent Democrat Darrell McGraw and in his 2018 U.S. Senate run against incumbent Democrat Joe Manchin.
“Again, I do not agree to your 3-month hiatus — the Republican Party in West Virginia deserves better. Your decision to avoid debating me and the other candidates prevents Republican voters from learning about you, your background, your policy proposals, your political history and your out-0f-state partners,” Warner wrote.
West Virginia MetroNews has announced a Dec. 7 forum moderated by “Talkline” host Hoppy Kercheval.
Warner, Capito and Miller all have confirmed their intent to participate in that event. Morrisey’s campaign has declined.
“Candidates should control or at least have some influence over how debates are conducted. Certain media outlets should not solely dictate how the Republican Party conducts debates or determine exactly who gets to participate or who gets excluded,” Morrisey wrote in his letter, asking for the campaigns to cooperate on putting other debates together.
Capito’s campaign issued a statement on Friday that accused Morrisey of dodging the debate.
“There is a debate scheduled for December that Moore, Warner and Miller have all agreed to participate in, stated Kent Gates for Capito’s campaign.
“Morrisey is ducking for good reason. Morrisey knows voters are anxious to hear him answer this simple question: Why is Morrisey taking $10 million from a SuperPAC that is spending a fortune trying to stop Trump from becoming President again? And more importantly: Why won’t Morrisey demand this special interest group stop spending their anti-Trump money in West Virginia?”
Warner, speaking on local radio today, said he wants to get his message out to voters through such debates.
“I intend to be there and make sure that the people of West Virginia understand the background that I bring to the governor’s office and everything from being born here in West Virginia, an Eagle Scout, West Point honor committee, service in the military, a career there, overseas service, bringing all those experiences back here to West Virginia, coupled with masters degrees.
“I could go on and on, but I want to share that with the people of West Virginia so they say ‘hey, here is a guy that has the experience to go in on day 1, won’t be learning on the job.”