COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Don't expect Gov. John Kasich to make a surprise appearance at Wednesday's gubernatorial debate at the City Club of Cleveland.

Kasich said Wednesday he's communicated with people across the state where he stands on issues and he's done commenting about debates.

Democratic gubernatorial nominee Ed FitzGerald and Green Party nominee Anita Rios plan to debate 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. Kasich declined to participate in the club's traditional candidate debate, as did three down-ballot incumbent Republicans and incumbent Democratic Congresswoman Marcia Fudge.

After accepting an endorsement from the Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters here on Wednesday, Kasich reiterated that he will not debate his opponents.

"I've already explained all the stuff I have to explain," Kasich said. "I've spent about 10 1/2 hours here with people like you and letting people across the state know how I feel about things. I've made all the comments I'm going to make about it."

In September, Kasich's campaign declined debates with FitzGerald, citing the "implosion" of Fitzgerald's campaign.

"Despite good faith efforts on our side, the implosion of his campaign two months ago put a pause on debate negotiations, and then the recent abandonment by his party and give-away of his campaign cash seems to now have finished off any serious effort by their campaign altogether," Kasich spokeswoman Connie Wehrkamp said then in a statement.

This is the first year without a gubernatorial debate since 1978, when Democratic Lt. Gov. Richard Celeste challenged incumbent Republican Gov. James Rhodes.