A date has been set for a debate between Republican Patrick Morrisey and Democrat Steve Williams, both candidates for governor of West Virginia.
The two will debate on Oct. 30, less than a week before the general election, a spokesperson for Williams’ campaign confirmed in an email Monday. Neither campaign responded to questions about where the debate will take place. Early voting for the 2024 general election ends Nov. 2.
Williams, the mayor of Huntington, Morrisey challenged the state’s attorney general, to the debate earlier this month. In response, Morrisey’s campaign manager said that Morrisey “has always made it clear that he will debate and discuss his strong record of fighting for West Virginians.”
According to a report from August Opinion poll of registered voters, Morrisey had a lead of 49% to 35% over Williams in The race.
Williams and Morrisey are two of five candidates running for governor, according to the West Virginia Secretary of State’s office. Also running are Constitution Party candidate S. Marshall Wilson, Mountain Party candidate Chase Linko-Looper and Libertarian Erika Klie Kolenich. It was unclear Monday whether other candidates had been invited to the debate.
The winner of the gubernatorial election will take the place of Gov. Jim Justice, who is running for Joe Manchin’s seat in the U.S. Senate. Justice, a Republican, said last week he would not debate his opponent, Glenn Elliott. Justice cited his mighty showing in the primary as a reason not to debate Elliott, the former mayor of (*30*).
“The people of this state know me. They know me, and they know me really well.” he told a reporter from West Virginia MetroNews. “I hardly campaigned at all.”
In the Eastern Panhandle, State Senate candidate Patricia RuckerR-Jefferson, and Democratic challenger John Doyle plan two debates: one on Oct. 1 at Shepherd University’s Robert C. Byrd Center.
The date for a second debate in Inwood, Berkeley County, has not yet been announced.
Election Day is Tuesday, November 5. Early voting begins on October 23.
