Economy center stage in Kaptur-Iott debate

Marcy Kaptur THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY Enlarge | Photo Reprints

Reviving a sluggish northwest Ohio economy is likely to be a major theme as the two candidates for Ohio's 9th Congressional District seat take to the stage at Bowsher High School tomorrow night in a live televised debate.

U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo) and Republican challenger Rich Iott of Monclova Township face off at 7 p.m. on WTVG-TV, Channel 13, in participation with The Blade.

Miss Kaptur, who was first elected in 1982, is opposed by Mr. Iott, a businessman in his first run for office, in the Nov. 2 election. Early voting, either in person at county early-voting centers or by mail, begins Tuesday.

The Blade's politics writer will join WTVG anchor Lee Conklin and WTVG political reporter Bill Hormann on the panel to ask questions.

Local ABC News anchor Diane Larson will moderate the debate. Tickets will be available to the public at the Bowsher auditorium, 2200 Arlington Ave.

The theme of jobs is dominating the campaign in the warring television advertisements, so far.

In her ads, Miss Kaptur has attacked Mr. Iott's claim to be a "job creator," blaming him for the demise of Food Town in 2003, three years after the company of which he was president and CEO sold the chain, putting 5,000 people out of work.

The ad accuses Mr. Iott of "pocketing" millions in stock "while his loyal employees got sold out."

In his TV ads, Mr. Iott has linked Miss Kaptur to high unemployment and to 38,000 Toledoans being out of work.

"After Kaptur's trillion-dollar stimulus, where are the jobs?" the ad's narrator asks. The ad goes on to say, "Marcy Kaptur had her chance," and now is the time for "a job creator," referring to Mr. Iott.

Mr. Iott dropped his independent candidacy in January after some in the conservative Tea Party movement complained that having both Mr. Iott and former Toledo Police Chief Jack Smith on the Nov. 2 ballot would split the conservative vote. Mr. Iott subsequently won the GOP nomination.

Spokesmen for both candidates say it's going to be an informative hour.

Matt Parker, a spokesman for Mr. Iott, said that "over two-thirds of the district feel we're off on the wrong track, with soaring deficits, debt. Clearly policies are not working. We just want a frank, vigorous debate."

Mary Chris Skeldon, a spokesman for Miss Kaptur, said she looks forward to "a robust debate on issues that are important. "I think she wants the voters to see the clear differences between the two candidates such as on jobs and the economy, Social Security, foreign policy, and education," Ms. Skeldon said.

The two Lucas County party chairmen also said the debate is a high-stakes chance for their party's candidates to reach voters.

Ron Rothenbuhler, chairman of the Lucas County Democratic Party, said Miss Kaptur has a record to tell voters about.

"In her 27 years of serving the public I think Marcy is going to have a lot of good things to say and with her experience is going to do very well in a debate with someone that I think has less experience and is less qualified," Mr. Rothenbuhler said.

Jon Stainbrook, chairman of the Republican Party of Lucas County, said Mr. Iott is going to challenge Miss Kaptur over that exact record. "Marcy has been on the defensive. She's never had to really defend her record before, and now you've got somebody like Rich Iott basically calling her out and saying what have you got to say for all your years in Congress," Mr. Stainbrook said.

The candidates will appear in at least one more debate: Oct. 11 on FOX affiliate WUPW-TV, Channel 36.

Contact Tom Troy at:

tomtroy@theblade.com

or 419-724-6058.