The two major party candidates running for U.S. Senate in Ohio will square off in three debates this fall. Jim Letizia reports.
A joint statement from the campaigns of Republican incumbent Rob Portman and Democratic challenger Ted Strickland says the debates will be held in Youngstown on October 14, in Columbus on October 17, and in Cleveland on October 20. The statement says the debates will provide voters with an opportunity to learn where both candidates stand on the issues, and officials hope they will encourage people to participate in the democratic process. The debates will be one hour, with 90 second answers, 90 second responses, 30 second rebuttals, and two-minute opening and closing statements. The campaigns will work with debate hosts to choose the moderators and panelists. Recent polls show Portman leading Strickland by nine percentage points. Portman, the former U.S. Trade Representative, also has a major fundraising advantage over Strickland, the former Ohio Governor.