A Kanawha County circuit judge has denied a request by Mountain Party gubernatorial candidate Jesse Johnson to be allowed to participate in a debate in Charleston.



Johnson said that as a legitimate third party candidate, he deserves to be included in Monday's event sponsored by the West Virginia Broadcasters Association.

Johnson argued that the debate is being held at the Clay Center, which receives public funding.

But Judge Jennifer Bailey Walker ruled Thursday that the Clay Center is only leasing the space to the association and was not involved in the invitation process.

Johnson was also unsuccessful in an attempt to be included in the association's gubernatorial debate in 2004, the first time he ran for the office.

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