Election 2022: U.S. Senate candidates debate national, state issues

GREENE COUNTY — A total of 10 people are trying to be Ohio’s next U.S. Senator. Three Democratic candidates took the stage this morning, and and seven Republicans squared off tonight.

Both debates were held on the campus of Central State University in Greene County.

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The Democrats took the stage Monday in Ohio’s Senate primary race first. In that race, current Ohio Rep. Tim Ryan said, “Ohio has always been a leader.”

Traci Johnson, another Democratic candidate said, “We have to unify and uplift Ohio for a better tomorrow.”

And, candidate Morgan Harper said, “making sure, just like I got, that every Ohioan gets a fair shot.”

The debate between the three candidates lasted an hour.

Questions covered topics like the economy, voting rights, student loans, health care and why they feel they are qualified to be a senator from Ohio.

The war in the Ukraine also came up. The moderator asked if potential escalation in the war leads to an attack on a NATO ally of the United States – an Article Five of NATO is invoked where an attack on one is considered an attack on all, should President Biden get approval from both the House and the Senate before responding with any potential military action?

“If it comes to the place where we have to consider whether or not to use military force, then absolutely President Biden should come to Congress and ask for authorization. And, we have to be serious about whether or not we are willing to use it. And I would certainly be willing to consider that if it comes to it,” Harper said.

Rep. Ryan said, “He should come to Congress. And I would support it. I think we have democracy on the line here. We have done a great job of getting Ukraine some of the armament they need to push back.”

“I believe at the end of the day what’s most important is that we keep the United Safe, we keep our troops safe, we provide Ukraine with the resources to defend themselves and we work in accordance with NATO to make sure that NATO countries that surround Ukraine are protected,” Johnson said.

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The issue of court packing or expanding the Supreme Court to include more than nine justices also came up. Each candidate was asked whether they are in favor of expanding the U.S. Supreme Court.

Johnson said, “In regards to stacking the court, I think we need to tread lightly because if we expand the court as Democrats then when Republicans come in, they’ll expand the court. And then the court will lose its power.”

“When it comes to the Supreme court, I am not for stacking the court,” Rep. Ryan said.

Harper went on to say, “Now, getting to the issue of expanding the Supreme Court, which I do support.”

Election 2022: Republican U.S. Senate candidates debate

Seven Republican candidates are trying to make it out of the may 2022 primary, but several still take issue with the 2020 general election and stated it was stolen from Donald Trump.

Several addressed their views on government and religion.

“We should accept that people’s belief in God is good,” Senate candidate J.D. Vance said.

Abroad, none of the candidates think the U.S should send troops to Ukraine.

“There is no condition in which I would put American boots on the ground. I think it’s essentially important that we give humanitarian aid and we give military aid for Ukrainians to fight and defend their own freedoms,” Senate candidate Matt Dolan said.

Instead, the candidates discussed focusing on border security.

To watch the full U.S. Senate debate, download the WHIO Streaming app.

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