They are competing for a Senate seat in Ohio, which former President Donald J. Trump comfortably won twice, though the race is more competitive than national observers initially expected. Here’s how to watch.
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Representative Tim Ryan of Ohio, a Democrat, left, and J.D. Vance, a Republican.
Representative Tim Ryan of Ohio, a Democrat, and J.D. Vance, a Republican, are headed on Monday into their final debate in the state’s marquee Senate race, as they compete for the seat of Senator Rob Portman, who is retiring.
The race, in a state that former President Donald J. Trump comfortably won twice, has remained more competitive than national observers initially expected, as Mr. Ryan, a strong fund-raiser, casts himself as an independent voice. Still, he confronts an uphill climb, without much assistance so far from national Democrats.
Throughout the contest, the two men have clashed over the economy, China, ties to prominent figures in each of their parties — Mr. Ryan has made clear he does not want President Biden to run again — and genuine connections to Ohio. In their first debate, they clashed over who could claim the title of working-class champion.
Mr. Vance, the author of the book “Hillbilly Elegy,” once identified as a “Never Trump guy,” but went on to be propelled to the nomination with Mr. Trump’s endorsement. He grew up in Middletown, Ohio, and later worked as a venture capitalist in San Francisco. Mr. Ryan, who represents the Youngstown area in Congress, has repeatedly sought to brand him as out of touch.
For his part, Mr. Vance is seeking to cast Mr. Ryan as a failed politician who did not deliver enough for his community. Mr. Vance has come under scrutiny over a canceled fund-raiser hosted by an Ohio pain doctor named in a lawsuit against Purdue Pharma and others concerning opioid prescriptions in the state, which has been hard-hit by the opioid crisis, Spectrum News reported, an issue likely to come up on Monday. The doctor has not been accused of criminal wrongdoing, the report said.
The debate, hosted by 21 WFMJ, begins at 7 p.m. Eastern time. It will be livestreamed at WFMJ.com. Our reporters will offer live updates and analysis.
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Source: nytimes.com
