Weirauch seeks debates with 5th District's Gillmor

8/26/2004

BOWLING GREEN - Democrat Robin Weirauch has invited 5th District U.S. Rep. Paul Gillmor (R., Old Fort) to debate her twice before the Nov. 2 election.

Ms. Weirauch of Napoleon presented an invitation to debate to Mr. Gillmor yesterday while the two were in Toledo to tape a news program. She asked that he respond by Sept. 5.

Mr. Gillmor could not be reached for comment. Ms. Weirauch, assistant director of the Center for Policy Analysis at Bowling Green State University, said she would like to see Mr. Gillmor and herself choose local media representatives to moderate the debate and take questions from the public.

"I believe the people of the 5th District deserve the chance to hear their candidates' views on the issues that will shape the direction of northwest Ohio for years to come," she said in a statement. The district encompasses all or part of 16 northwest Ohio counties, including southern Lucas County and all of Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Huron, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, and Wood counties.