MORGANTOWN — U.S. Senate candidates Joe Manchin and Patrick Morrisey are set to meet for at least one debate in the coming weeks: Nov. 1 in Morgantown. Election Day is Nov. 6.
The debate will be hosted by the West Virginia Broadcasters Association and held in the MetroNews studios in the Greer Building in Sabraton. Talkline host Hoppy Kercheval will moderate.
Both candidates issued press releases about the debate.
Democrat incumbent Manchin said, “Voters want to know why Pat joined a lawsuit to allow insurance companies to deny coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, why he wanted to put our teachers in jail, and how Pat made his millions from the opioid industry.”
Republican challenger Morrisey said, “With the future of West Virginia and the Trump agenda at stake, voters deserve the opportunity to see the clear contrast between a Trump-endorsed conservative fighter and a Hillary Clinton-voting liberal.”
Libertarian candidate Rusty Hollen will not be included. Broadcasters Association Executive Director Michele Crist said that when they host gubernatorial debates, they invite only the top two candidates. With time constraints, it’s hard to get thorough answers from just two candidates. More make it even more challenging.
Also not included will be Don Blankenship, who switched from the GOP to the Constitution Party at the end of May after failing in the GOP primary. The validity of his candidacy is subject of a lawsuit in the state Supreme Court.
While the Manchin team announced that another debate is set for Oct. 14 at Oglebay Resort in Wheeling, the Morrisey team said they haven’t confirmed that one yet. If it comes to pass, it will be hosted by NCWV Media, H-D Media, and Ogden Newspapers.
Morrisey, meanwhile, has challenged Manchin to at least three debates.
