Northern Panhandle Democrats have invited local federal officeholders — all Republican — to a town hall meeting Saturday, but so far none have indicated they will attend.

The meeting is set to take place from 2-4 p.m. at the Ironworkers’ Hall, 2350 Main St., Wheeling. Doors open at 1 p.m.

“Everyone is welcome — Democrat, Republican, Mountain, Independent — anyone who wants to come,” said Barb Scott, chair of the Marshall County Democratic Executive Committee.

The event is co-sponsored by the Democratic executive committees in Hancock, Brooke, Ohio, Marshall, Wetzel, Tyler, and Doddridge counties.

U.S. Sens. Shelley Moore-Capito and Jim Justice, both R-West Virginia, have been invited as has U.S. Rep. Riley Moore, R-W.Va.

The meeting will be live streamed via the Facebook page of the Ohio County Democratic Party, and also recorded and sent to the three elected officials.

Scott reported Capito’s office contacted her the next day after being invited to say she couldn’t attend, but did ask what people might be talking about and how many were expected to attend.

Scott said about 75 people so far have indicated through social media they are coming, with about that many also expressing interest.

Likely topics for discussion will likely include cutbacks implemented by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), and layoffs at the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Justice’s office replied by email that he would not attend, and Moore has yet to respond to the invitation, according to Scott.

Assuming none of the office holders will attend, two moderators have been selected to conduct the town hall. They are former Wheeling mayor Glenn Elliott, who lost to Justice in last year’s general election, and Steve Wendelin, who lost in his bid against Moore.

The question is why should people go voice their concerns when no sitting office holders will be present.

“We are trying to help people solve their anxieties,” Scott said. “Government job cuts are causing anxiety across the nation. People ask what can we do? Who should we call?

“We are trying to be responsive. We had hoped at least one of the three would show up, but that is not likely going to happen. People don’t feel heard. This is an opportunity to be heard.”

Scott noted one thing the Democrats can do at the town hall meeting is direct those needing assistance to the proper resources.

“We will try to get their issues out there. We will send a copy of the video from the town all to all three representatives,”she said. “We want them to hear their constituents, and hear their concerns. We can’t make them show up and listen.”

Scott said the problem of officials avoiding comments from residents back home “is not unique to West Virginia.”

“Few representatives are meeting with constituents, so we have to get their attention somehow,” she continued. “They can’t continue to ignore us.”