Vance and Ryan Agree, Disagree on Ohio US Senate Debates

In the race to replace retiring Ohio Republican Sen. Rob Portman, Republican J.D. Vance and Democratic Rep. Tim Ryan announced that they have agreed to upcoming debates, but there are conflicting details about when and where the events will take place.

Ryan released a statement last week saying that he will participate in debates on Sept. 26 hosted by WFMJ-TV in Youngstown at Stambaugh Auditorium, on Oct. 4 coordinated by Cincinnati-based WLWT-TV at Parrish Auditorium on Miami University’s Hamilton Campus, and on Oct. 12 at the Akron-Summit County Public Library.

Vance said in a statement last week that he will take the stage in a debate hosted by WJW-TV in Cleveland on Oct. 4 and a debate coordinated in Hamilton at a date to be determined, which apparently is the WLWT-TV event.

The Ohio Debate Commission is hosting the Oct. 12 forum at the Akron-Summit County Public Library.

Vance did not commit to that event.

Rep. Tim Ryan (D-Ohio) speaks at the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, in Philadelphia, Pa. on July 28, 2016. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Campaigns commonly negotiate debate guidelines before finalizing their commitments.

“In an election cycle where voters have indicated how concerned they are about threats to democracy,” Ohio Debate Commission executive director Jill Zimon said. “Candidates’ participation in high-quality debates—and providing that content to as many Ohioans as possible—is more critical than ever. Our record shows our capacity to reach millions of Ohio voters with this important content.”

Candidates Campaigning

Vance is an attorney, venture capitalist, and “Hillbilly Elegy” author who is endorsed by former president Donald Trump.

Ryan is in the midst of his 10th term as an Ohio U.S. representative in the Youngstown area.

“This election will steer the direction of Ohio for years, but because J.D. Vance has spent the

*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases