PUBLISHER’S NOTE: Candidate forum will proceed as planned, candidates or not

By Stephen Baldwin, RealWV

MAXWELTON, W.Va. – One month ago, RealWV announced a candidate forum for county offices and legislative races. It will make the fourth such event we’ve hosted since we launched in 2023. We always draw a diverse crowd and prioritize respectful dialogue. 

As an independent, nonprofit news organization, our job is to share information about candidates and let voters decide how they’d like to vote. One way we do that is via these forums, which Republican and Democratic candidates alike have consistently told us is the best candidate forum going.

Our forums are professional, orderly, and detailed. We have an independent, respected moderator who maintains decorum. No other news organizations or civic group sponsor such candidate forums any longer.

I personally invited all ten candidates on Greenbrier County ballots to attend our October 27, 2026, forum for the General Election. Eight confirmed, one said he would try to attend, and one did not respond. The announcement has been read thousands upon thousands of times on our website and social media. 

Then yesterday, the Greenbrier Republican Executive Committee announced their own “Town Hall Meet & Greet” for the same evening. Their billing included several candidates who confirmed one month ago to attend our forum. Coincidence? Two sources with direct knowledge say the same date was picked deliberately.

Regardless of the reasoning, I want to be clear: Our forum will proceed as planned.

Our civic duty as a nonprofit is to provide a forum for candidates to share their views. We will do that whether all the candidates show, some show, or none show. And we will report on it for voters to be informed. 

Two candidates who previously committed in September told me yesterday they were cancelling. Another said he would keep his commitment. Some may cancel in the days to come. That is their choice. 

We provide a free candidate forum each election cycle as a community service, where all candidates are welcomed and treated with respect. We give candidates a platform to share their message and have done so for federal and state candidates for nearly four years now. Whether candidates attend, share their stories, and answer questions is up to them. One way or another, we will cover it and share what we learn with the public so that they can reach their own conclusions. 

Late yesterday evening, I also received a proposal from the Greenbrier Republican & Greenbrier Democratic Executive Committee leaders to cancel our event, which has been scheduled and committed to by most all candidates from both parties for a month, and instead support an event they host together at which they ask the questions. RealWV declined. 

As a nonprofit news outlet, we cannot and will not partner with political parties. It would be a betrayal of the public trust. In addition, the parties have known about our forum for a month. They also know we offer it every election cycle, as leaders from both parties always attend. 

Our job is to provide the public with independent information from those who seek elected office. That’s what we will do. 

The public is invited to attend. The forum is being held in the Fellowship Hall of Clifton Presbyterian Church, located on 219 North near the Greenbrier Valley Airport. Doors open at 5pm. Attendees will be able to submit questions to the moderator. We also plan to livestream the forum.

Thank you for your engagement!