During the primary season, Democratic candidates for the four at-large seats on the Montgomery County Council squared off at a series of debates and forums. When it comes to meeting up with Republican general-election opponents, however, they’ve been a bit scarce.

Greater Olney Civic Association president John Webster said Wednesday he worked for two months with Council members Marc Elrich, Nancy Floreen, George Leventhal and Hans Riemer to find a suitable date for a debate with Republicans Robert Dyer, Chris Fiotes, Jr., Adol Owen-Williams II and Shelly Skolnick. None could be found.

Only Elrich signed for the Oct. 27 event. But when he saw a flyer over the weekend indicating that he would be the only Democrat in attendance, he dropped out.

“My interpretation from their behavior is that its part of the strategy to never appear in the same room or same forum with Republicans,” Webster said. “That strategy does a disservice both to the community and the candidates.”

Democrats attended an association event on June 10. Webster thought it “would be of value” to have them meet with the Republicans this fall.

“I have a lot more respect for a candidate who will show up and face down the opposition,” he said.

All four Democrats said they had their reasons.

“All I can say is that we tried to work with them,” said Floreen. “I’m sorry I couldn’t be there, but I had an obligation. They knew that.” Floreen attended a meeting of the Silver Spring Citizen Advisory board’s economic development group.

“We are not ducking the Republicans,” said Leventhal, pointing out the televised forum all the at-large candidates did on Oct. 13. “We are invited to three or four community events every night. We were courteous and we tried to work with them.”

“I had a conflict,” said Riemer, who spoke at a Potomac event organized by Trash Free Maryland. He added that given the June appearance, council candidates have had “a robust engagement” with the civic association. He also cited primary season events where Republicans and Democrats appeared side-by-side.

Elrich managed to commit to a date, but said he didn’t feel comfortable when he realized he would be the sole Democrat in attendance. At a minimum, he said, he was owed a heads-up that never came.

“I guess I felt like they owed me a conversation about this,” he said.