COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Nan Whaley, the underdog Democratic candidate for Ohio governor, is challenging Republican Gov. Mike DeWine to debate her as the November election approaches.
Whaley, a former Dayton mayor, issued the challenge on Thursday through a press release and social media.
“A series of debates in all corners of Ohio will ensure that voters not just the special interests and lobbyists are picking our next governor,” Whaley said.
In response on Friday, Tricia McLaughlin, a DeWine campaign spokesperson, said the governor so far has committed to two candidate forums: one on Aug. 26 organized by the Ohio Association of Regional Councils, a local government lobbying group, and one on Oct. 6, organized by Vote for Ohio Kids, a coalition of advocates for education and social services.
It’s unclear that the Oct. 6 event will allow the candidates to directly respond to each other’s comments, a core feature of a debate. McLaughlin did not explicitly commit to holding a debate per se but said the DeWine campaign agrees that “Ohio voters should have the opportunities to hear from the candidates” on their records and visions for the state.
“Transparency and accessibility to leadership matters, which is why Mike DeWine has held more statewide television addresses and press conferences than any Governor in Ohio history,” McLaughlin said. Throughout the fall, Governor DeWine and his opponent will have ample opportunity to outline their very different records and visions for Ohio.
And Courtney Rice, a spokesperson for the Whaley campaign, said the Aug. 26 event isn’t a joint forum – DeWine and Whaley will be addressing the group at different parts of the day, Rice said.
“It’s no surprise that Governor DeWine and his team are attempting to mislead the press about these public appearances and dodge debating Nan,” Rice said.
The dance between candidates to set up debates is a standard part of politics, although increasingly, favored candidates have opted not to do them to avoid making mistakes or giving attention to their opponents.
DeWine generally has agreed to hold debates throughout his lengthy political career, including in 2018, when he defeated Democrat Richard Cordray in a close race. But, he didn’t debate his Republican challengers leading up to the May primary, which he won easily.
Jill Miller Zimon, executive director of the Ohio Debate Commission, a consortium of civic organizations and local news outlets, said the group is looking to hold a governor candidates’ debate in Akron on Oct. 10.
Zimon said she’s been in touch with both the DeWine and Whaley campaigns, initially reaching out in May, but doesn’t yet have a firm commitment from the candidates.
“We have a venue we have dates, we’ve sent them [a proposed list of debate terms], and they know we’re seeking to find time to go over the details and get everybody to where they’re confirmed to participate,” Zimon said.
Other groups seeking to hold governor candidate debates include a network of local TV affiliates and the Columbus Metropolitan Club.
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