Early last week, it appeared there would be at least one debate between the candidates hoping to become West Virginia’s next governor.

Just as quickly as it had been announced, though, it was announced the debate, to be hosted by WOWK-TV, had been canceled.

In addition to Democrat Steve Williams and Republican Patrick Morrisey, this year’s gubernatorial race also includes S. Marshall Wilson representing the Constitution Party, Mountain Party candidate Chase Linko-Looper and Libertarian Erika Elier Kolenich. All were invited to the WOWK debate, which, the station said, would have been broadcast on the five Nexstar-owned stations in West Virginia, but, apparently, an agreement was not reached with all of the candidates.

To date, the closest we have come to any kind of debate was when Williams and Morrisey made separate appearances on the stage of the West Virginia Chamber of Commerce’s annual business summit held recently at the Greenbrier.

We’re a little more than a month away from the Nov. 5 election, and a few weeks from the beginning of the state’s in-person early voting period, so there’s still time and we’re hopeful some arrangement can be made.

It’s important for West Virginians to be able to hear directly from those who wish to represent them as elected officials, especially given the various changes under way within our state. There are important issues which should be addressed, from taxation to economic development opportunities, homelessness, the continuing opioid epidemic, infrastructure advancement and more.

We deserve to know where the candidates stand.

The same holds true for Republican Jim Justice and Democrat Glenn Elliott as they seek a seat representing the state in the U.S. Senate.

We encourage all involved to make the needed effort to make these debates happen. What does it say about your leadership and governing abilities if you can’t even come to an agreement on something like this?