The Republican and Democratic nominee for Texas governor should look to our own Congressional House District 17 for inspiration as to whether to debate before voters.

Our incumbent, Congressman Chet Edwards, and his Republican challenger, Bill Flores, are locked in a tough and highly contentious election battle that is being watched nationwide. And our guess is that neither man is particularly fond of one another at this point in the hard-fought campaign to represent Central Texas.

Yet, despite their differences, despite the contentious nature of their race, both candidates have agreed to meet in a television debate co-sponsored by the Waco Tribune-Herald and KXXV- TV (Channel 25), which is scheduled for 1 p.m. on Oct. 24.

Local voters will no doubt benefit from viewing the live broadcast of these two men discussing their approaches to governing.

Not so with the governor’s race.

While a certain amount of political gamemanship is to be expected in elections at this level, the impasse that has beset the candidates for governor and their unwillingness to debate one another are a disservice to the state.

In the absence of any forward movement by either of these candidates — and none is really expected at this point — the de facto message that both parties are delivering to the voters of Texas is simple: Politics is far more important than governance.

There is little wonder why this country is experiencing so much cynicism in the public arena today.

For GOP incumbent Rick Perry and challenger Bill White, the name of the game is to win at all cost — even at the expense of ignorance to our electorate.

At issue is Perry’s insistence that White release copies of his personal income tax statements for the years that White has been in public service.

White, a Democrat, has steadfastly refused, saying the demand by Perry is only a ploy to avoid having to answer questions about his role as our state’s longest-serving governor.

Both men’s stubbornness may create some history of its own this election year.

The last time the two major gubernatorial candidates did not debate was 20 years ago, when Republican Clayton Williams ran and ultimately lost to Democrat Ann Richards.

Beyond the political trivia, there is a significant political reality: voters seem to matter less and less to the politicians enmeshed in the electoral process.