By Alex Johnson
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — A debate between U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin, D-W.Va., and state Attorney General Patrick Morrisey will not happen as scheduled because the Morrisey campaign did not confirm his participation.
The debate — which was sponsored by newspaper companies HD Media, NCWV Media and Ogden Newspapers — was set to take place 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 will 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.
