Debates for Ohio governor, U.S. Senate races scheduled for March

On Mar 27, 2022

Republican candidate Josh Mandel, left, and Democratic candidate Morgan Harper speak in an Ohio Senate debate at North Columbus Baptist Church in Columbus, Ohio, on Thursday, Jan. 27, 2022.

The Ohio Debate Commission, a group of civic organizations, universities and media outlets, said Monday it will be inviting statewide candidates to debates in late March.

Primary debates for the contested U.S. Senate race will be held March 28, while another set for the gubernatorial race will happen the day after. Who the moderators are and how debates will be formatted are still being worked out, according to a press release.

The commission will require people to be socially distanced at the venue, the Paul Robeson Cultural & Performing Arts Center on the campus of Central State University in Wilberforce. Debates will be free and can be live-streamed or broadcast.

Information about the submission of questions from the public and the ability to register for tickets will be released later. Candidate participation criteria is being shared and will be available.

Debates: Some Ohio candidates are eager, others less so

The news comes as some candidates have been eager to press for debates while others have wanted to hold off.

In the race to replace U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, R-Ohio, Republicans have had at least one showing together, though billed more as a forum and less a debate. The GOP primary is a crowded and expensive one, filled mainly by former state treasurer Josh Mandel, author and venture capitalist J.D. Vance, former Ohio GOP chair Jane Timken, state Sen. Matt Dolan, businessman Mark Pukita and investment banker Mike Gibbons.

On the Democratic side, underdog candidate Morgan Harper, a progressive attorney and community activist, has repeatedly tried to prod U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan into debating her. Ryan has said he would after the filing deadline, which has passed, but that didn’t stop Harper from doing an unusual debate with Mandel.

In the governor’s race, Republican Gov. Mike DeWine is facing off a primary challenge from former U.S. Rep. Jim Renacci and farmer Joe Blystone. Former state Rep. Ron Hood has filed to enter the race. A debate for this primary could reveal how much the governor can fend off anti-DeWine sentiment that Renacci and Blystone have made as a central part of their messaging.