For the first time in nearly three decades, Ohioans likely will not see a debate between gubernatorial candidates.
The campaign for Gov. John Kasich announced Tuesday that it walked away from negotiations to schedule a public debate between Kasich and Democratic challenger Ed FitzGerald.
The announcement came after FitzGerald’s campaign accused Kasich of refusing to debate. Kasich’s campaign attributed its decision to the “implosion” of Fitzgerald’s campaign.
“We think moving on is the best thing to do and, in addition to sitting down with several major news publications across Ohio, we’ll be seeking other, additional avenues for the governor to talk about his accomplishments, answer whatever direct, tough questions people may have and discuss his plans for Ohio’s future,” Kasich spokeswoman Connie Wehrkamp said in a statement.
A poll this month by the Ray C. Bliss Institute of Applied Politics at the University of Akron found that Kasich led 40 percent to 21 percent. A New York Times/CBS News/YouGov poll of likely voters last week was closer, with Kasich leading 46 percent to 33 percent. A mail-in survey The Columbus Dispatch published Sunday, though, showed Kasich leading FitzGerald by 30 points.
FitzGerald’s campaign has been dogged by questions over his late-night presence in a parked car with a woman who wasn’t his wife, his lack of a permanent driver’s license for nearly 10 years and issues over mileage reimbursements and jury pay that he took.
Ohio Democratic Party Chairman Chris Redfern took issue with Wehrkamp’s characterization that the party had abandoned FitzGerald and chided a decision by three other Republicans — Attorney General Mike DeWine, Secretary of State Jon Husted and Treasurer Josh Mandel — to skip debates at the City Club of Cleveland.
Ohio’s gubernatorial races have traditionally included debates, even when candidates were not close.
The last time there wasn’t a gubernatorial debate was the 1978 election.
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